As we make our way on the path of the Truth, we should fully appreciate our hope for life compared to what the world offers. The hope of the world, based on carnal reasoning, leads to frustration and futility; but our hope, based on the sure promise of God, sees more and more clearly that the day of our expectations draws near.
A narrow path to walk
During the last 150 years, brethren and sisters have greatly rejoiced as they have seen looked-for signs come to pass. These believers are like a man who, before starting on a long journey, goes to a trusted friend and asks him for directions. The friend tells the man that the journey will be rough and dangerous, that the true path will often be narrow and rocky. The friend warns the man that there will be many broad and pleasant paths branching to the right and left; they will be smooth ways lined with attractive looking fruit. But he warns the man to beware of those paths for the fruit is poisonous and the smooth ways hide dangerous pitfalls. The friend tells the man that he must watch for certain signs that will encourage him that he is on the right path. He does not tell him when the signs will appear, but he does tell him the number of signs to watch for and the nature of each sign.
The man starts down the narrow path. Because he trusts in the authority of his friend, the man does not allow himself to be led astray. He watches closely for the signs and rejoices greatly as he reaches each one in turn knowing he is keeping to the right way.
Following the path of Jesus
In our meeting here together, we are reminded of the straightness of the path that Jesus trod as he led the way for us to follow. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) To follow Jesus in the way must result in the crucifixion of the flesh. Those who avoid the bearing of the cross will have no part in the reward. Christ said, “He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matt. 10:38) If we allow ourselves to be led astray from the true path by those things that satisfy the appetites of the carnal mind, we will fall prey to the cares of this life which slowly kill the spiritual man. We can repel such impulses by calling to mind the words of our Lord, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt. 10:39)
Signs along the path
The expositions of the Apocalypse by Bro. John Thomas help us to hold firm our hope unto the end. Its foretelling of the great prophecies provides us an anchor for our souls and a beacon light to keep our vision of the future clear.
As an example, the fig tree sign thrills us with excitement. We see Israel established as a nation in spite of the continual buffeting she receives from her hostile neighbors. Enemies within and enemies without have not been able to overthrow her for she must exist when the power of the north descends as a whirlwind.
Brethren and sisters, the writings of our Bro. Thomas have made indisputably clear that we are passing these very signs today.
Waiting for our Lord
We stand as one betrothed, waiting for our beloved’s return. Have we made ourselves ready to receive him? Have we set our house in order? Have we left our back door open for the world to come in and converse with us? Will we be found sitting watching our favorite show on TV? Will we be found looking over the fence at our neighbor’s glamorous possessions or that sensational new car that gives us a thrill? The path of the world is lined with these forbidden fruits. If we are eating them, what will we say to our Lord when he comes? We must be standing in readiness, wearing a clean garment, scanning the horizon of world events with the eye of faith in watchfulness for our Lord.
Present suffering, future joy
Christ was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. We are his brethren and sisters in the fellowship of suffering. If sorrow, derision and shame is our cup now, gladness and joy is set before us. Christ will partake of the cup of spiritual blessedness with us in the kingdom of his Father. “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Rev. 7:17)
In I Peter 4:12 we are encouraged, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye: for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.”
Our daily life should be a sign to the world that we walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Certainly this path in life will not attract those that love the world. Yet the path is not extreme to the faithful in Christ: the path is extreme only to those who follow the foolishness of the world.
True, the straight and narrow path may sometimes seem impossible for us. But recall when Peter walked toward Jesus on the water. When he took his eyes off Jesus and beheld the boisterous waves, he would have sunk if Jesus had not saved him. So, also, we must keep our eyes on Christ as we walk the path. If we see ourselves failing, we must cry to him who stands ever ready to help us.
As we continue down the path of life, let us take courage from the signs for which we have been told to watch. And, as we are exhorted, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1-2)
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One