Torch, Spring 1985

' I T he year was 1925 . William Randolph Hearst , a famous American publisher, saw a picture of Donat's castle in Great Britain. So impressed was he that he instructed his agent in London to purchase it for $100,000 . He then proceeded to spend one million dollars on the castle to install a swimming pool , a private beach, and - oh yes - an 18-hole golf course . His visits to the castle were few over the next 26 years. Yet, a staff of workers worked full time to keep the estate ready for his return. In 1951, William Hearst died and later the property was sold. The Christian has been purchased at greater price - the precious blood of God's Son , Jesus Christ. He is away for now as our Advocate and High Priest . His promise to return is clear on the pages of Scripture . How much more should we be ready and be about His business. Our Cedarville College theme for the 1984-85 academic year is "Growing and Going for our Coming Lord." What a difference this great doctrine can make in our daily living! The apostle Paul closed each chapter of his first epistle to the Thessalonians with this emphasis. In chapter 1 we read of the second coming and salvation: "And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (I : 10) . My dear reader, is that your testimony? Have you been truly delivered from God's eternal wrath through the redemption in Christ Jesus? Chapter 2 speaks of the second coming and service: "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ President's Perspective by Dr. Paul Dixon at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy" (vv . 19-20). Paul looked forward to seeing those in heaven he had personally influenced for Christ. How is your "going" for our coming Lord? Are there such joys awaiting you? Chapters 3 and 5 emphasize the second coming and sanctification. Verse 13 of chapter 3 states: "To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." Verse 23 of chapter 5 underscores this : "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. " Is that kind of growing for our coming Lord your experience? This is great motivation for purity of life . The famous fourth chapter concludes with the second coming and solace or comfort. The rapture of the church so vividly detailed should cause us to "comfort one another with these words" (v. 18). Whatever be our trials in 1985, we can grow spiritually through them as we live in the light of that any-moment return . Spurgeon received a copy of Andrew Bonar' s commentary on Leviticus. He was richly blessed and returned it with a request for Bonar's autograph and picture. The book was returned with the following note: "Dear Spurgeon, here is the book with my autograph and my photograph. If you had been willing to wait a short season, you could have had a better likeness, for I shall be like Him! I shall see Him as He is." Bonar was ready, willing, and filled with anticipation for His Lord ' s return. May that be the theme of our lives. 3