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The Book of Hebrews: Message
Seventy One
By Dr. Michael
Guido, D.D.
There was a
believer in Scotland who had grasped the Bible
doctrine of the second coming of Christ. He came to
Edinburgh one Sunday and visited several churches,
playing the part of a sermon taster. When he returned
to his hometown, he was asked, "How did you like
the Edinburgh preachers?" "They all fly on
one wing," he answered. "They all preach
the first coming of Christ, but don't preach His
second coming." Not so the writer of the book of
Hebrews. He said in chapter 10, verse 37, "For
yet a little while, and He that shall come will come,
and will not tarry."
We need to
herald His coming. "The second coming of
Christ," said Dr. James M. Gray, "is one of
the greatest themes of the Bible. Do you know that
it's the goal of every prophet of the Old Testament
without exception? There's not one prophet from the
first to the last whose eye isn't set upon the coming
of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, personally and
visibly to set up His kingdom upon this earth. That's
what all the prophets are talking about. In the New
Testament, this theme is referred to no less than 300
times." Indeed, in his final advice to young
Timothy, the apostle Paul said, "Preach the
Word!" immediately after he called his attention
to the second coming of Christ. He said, "I
solemnly charge you before God and before Christ
Jesus - who will someday judge the living and the
dead when He appears to set up His kingdom - to
preach the Word of God at all times, whenever you get
the chance, in season and out, when it is convenient
and when it is not. Correct and rebuke your people
when they need it, encourage them to do right, and
all the time be feeding them patiently with God's
Word."
We need to
hope for His coming. The Bible says, "Looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave
Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works." There was a young lady
who loved our Lord, and she looked every morning for
His return. One day a friend of mine was a guest in
her home. He and her parents labored together for our
Lord. He found her busily working in her bedroom,
carefully putting everything in order. He remarked to
her, "Oh, how nice and neat your room looks,
with everything in order." Back came the reply,
"Yes, I'm putting it in order, for Jesus might
come today."
We need to
hunger for His coming. The flame of hope must be kept
alive, as well as the exercise of faith and love. The
Bible says, "The Lord direct your hearts into
the love of God, and into the patient waiting for
Christ." The word that's used for
"waiting" in this verse signifies patient
endurance. It's our hunger for the coming of Christ
that enables us to endure the sorrows and trials of
the waiting period. Some time ago I visited a dear
friend who loved our Lord with all his heart. I took
hold of his hand in mine and asked, "How are you
feeling these days?" "Not very well,"
he answered with a smile. "You see," he
continued, "I haven't been free from pain in a
long time." As I looked at him, I remembered
when his hair was black, when his eyes were as
brilliant as diamonds, and his body was as sturdy as
an oak. But now - he was in awful pain. As I saw him
bent and broken, I said, "I'm so sorry."
"Oh," he said, "don't feel badly. It
will only be like this until Jesus comes. Then, when
He comes, I'll have a body perfect in health,
holiness and happiness. Oh," he shouted,
"won't it be wonderful when Jesus comes. I'm so
hungry to see Him."
We need to
hasten His coming. The Bible says, "You should
look forward to that day and hurry it along."
"How?" you wonder. "Is it
possible?" you ask. "Are there ways by
which we can?" Yes! By praying for the salvation
of the lost, and by putting feet to your prayers and
by seeking to save the lost. One night a woman came
to Christ in our crusade in Texas. She asked,
"Won't you join me in prayer for my husband who
is lost, and will you come to our home for dinner
tomorrow?" I said yes to both questions. And the
next day, while eating dinner with that editor and
his wife, she said to him, "My dear, I love you
with all my heart. I can't stand being separated from
you. But last night I got saved. If Christ were to
come today, and He may, I'd be caught up to heaven.
But you'd be left to perish. I can't stand the
thought of that, my dear. Won't you come to Christ
now?" Weeping, he took her hand in his and said,
"I will, I will!" Won't you?
All Scripture verses are
quoted from the New King James Version.
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the book of Hebrews.
This series of messages on the
books of the Bible were originally written for
broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The
Sower." They are collected and reprinted here
for your enjoyment and spiritual edification.
