The local churches are preparing for

LOVING THE LORD AND LOVING

HIS APPEARING BEING CONNECTED

If we genuinely love the Lord, we must love His appearing, that is, His coming. John 21 reveals the matter of loving the Lord. There the Lord asked Peter three times whether he loved Him (vv. 15-17). Second Timothy 4 reveals the matter of loving the Lord’s appearing. Verse 8 says, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, with which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will recompense me in that day, and not only me but also all those who have loved His appearing. ” If we genuinely love someone, we will eagerly expect that one’s coming. If we say that we love someone yet push him away from us, our love is false. If we love the Lord, we will surely love His appearing.

One verse in the New Testament connects loving the Lord to His coming. First Corinthians 16:22 says, “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed! The Lord comes! ” The word in the Greek text rendered “the Lord comes” can also be translated “our Lord come! ” In this verse Paul is strong not only in declaring that we must love the Lord but also in praying for the Lord’s return. In this verse the two items—loving the Lord and the coming of the Lord—are connected. Hence, when we declare that we love the Lord, we must realize that our declaration also means that we love His coming. We may declare, “Lord, I love You, and thus I love Your appearing. I desire Your coming. ”

Preparing for the Lord's Return

Chapter 1 CWWL, 1972, vol. 1 (LSM)

The Christ we love is coming soon! And He will come as our dear Bridegroom! Lord, may we always watch and pray. It may be today.

It may be today, it may be today!

Lord Jesus, You’re the only One who makes our heart to burn!

DEFEATING THE ENEMY
AND PREPARING THE WAY
FOR THE LORD TO COME BACK

Not only is the church the Body, the new man, the bride, the family, the kingdom, and the dwelling place; the church is also the warrior to fight against God’s enemy. God’s enemy, Satan, is terrified of such a church. Satan is not afraid of individualistic Christians, not even if they number in the thousands. But whenever the believers come together as the church in the aspect of the Body and in these other aspects, Satan trembles. By the church in these seven aspects, Christ is expressed, the Father has rest, and the enemy is defeated. May we all see the vision that the church is not a matter of individual holiness or spirituality. On the contrary, it is a matter of being built up together as the Body, the new man, the bride, the family, the kingdom, the dwelling place, and the warrior. As such a church, we defeat the enemy and prepare the way for the Lord Jesus to come back.

Life-study of Ephesians Chapter 74 (LSM)

We are preparing for Your return O Lord, our dear Bridegroom,

We know the time is near of Your coming back to claim us as Your Bride;

That we may be with You through all eternity.

The Christ whom we love is coming soon, And He will come to marry us,

We must be ready and wait for Him, to watch, be sober and to pray,

He may come today, it may be today!

The Christ whom we love is coming soon.
It may be today
It may be today!
Let’s wait for Him, watch and pray!

“How we must give Him all our heart and from all idols turn!
Oh, who else could there be who loves us so tenderly?
Lord Jesus, You’re the only One who makes our heart to burn—
O please do not delay! Come quickly, e’en today! ”

Our bridegroom dear!

Build your bride and return without delay! Gain our hearts fully and make it your home. Amen. We love you!