Lord’s Day, Vol. 6 No. 48

The Lord’s Return Is Near

The church of Jesus Christ is exhorted to prepare for the Lord’s imminent return.

Let us look at James’ exhortation to the church in James 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

 James addressed the early church who were persecuted for their faith, suffering the loss of their possessions, even their livelihood and home. What were they to do when they have been following the Lord and yet incarcerated? Life was difficult! He exhorted them to be patient, to learn patience. To be patient when their rights have been encroached. James was painting the rich oppressors of this world (James 5:1-6), whose riches come through evil ways and will ultimately be disappointed with life. These wealthy oppressors of this world, those who use their wealth to make more personal wealth for personal gain at the expense of others will not face a good end. These rich, elite men of the world will one day cry in misery because their fortunes are turned. When Christ returns, they will be judged. “Weep and howl” (James 5:1) described the great grief, pain and sorrow that they will experience. These who have hoarded their wealth and lost them eventually to decay. Their wealth rotted away.

James exhorted believers to begin exercising patience toward these oppressors. The word “patience” means “to be longsuffering as opposed to hasty anger”. It means “to endure patiently as opposed to losing faith or giving up.” Patience is a spiritual grace to be cultivated. He told them that the motivation for their patience is that Christ is coming again. He will right all wrong that they have suffered at His coming. At His coming, He brings His rewards for His faithful saints.

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Three times, James repeated the word “patience” to stress the attitude needed in facing their oppressors. The word literally means “long-tempered” as contrasted to “short-tempered”. It does not call for passive resignation but an attitude of self-restraint that enables one to refrain from hasty retaliation in the face of provocation. [Hiebert]

James illustrates with a farming imagery. The farmer who awaits the harvest patiently awaits for God to send the rain to water the crops.

 7 … Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

 The former rain comes to germinate the seeds that have been planted. The latter rain comes just prior to the harvest to ensure a good crop. There is an element of expectancy in the farmer’s waiting just as the believer awaits the certainty of the Lord’s return. The emphasis is on the need to exercise patience in waiting.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Believers are exhorted to strengthen their hearts and not be shaken by their experiences of oppression. As Jesus puts it before His ascension to heaven in John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. The disciples were exhorted to abide in Christ. Therein is peace. Keep trusting and following Him, obeying His Word. There is a need to hold fast, to stand firm in the Lord trusting in His grace to see them through. The heart needs to be fortified with faith, albeit strong faith.

In other words, believers are exhorted to keep their faith strong in the Lord, through worship and prayer and in the meditating of God’s Word. They are exhorted to keep serving as they see the Lord’s return coming nearer and nearer! Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee