Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Nisbet Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:8 - 4:8
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
‘And not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.’
2Ti_4:8
I. Manifestation of the saints.—The moment of the manifestation of Christ will be the moment of the manifestation of all His followers. Then, perhaps, for the first time, in their united strength and beauty—declared and exhibited, and vindicated and admired, in the presence of the universe. And, oh, what a subject of ‘love’ is there! Some speak as if to ‘love’ Christ were one thing, but to ‘love’ the saints were another thing; and they almost place them in rivalry! But the saints are Christ. They are His mystical body, without which Christ Himself is not perfect.
II. The manifestation of Christ’s kingdom.—Another part of the ‘appearing’—very pleasant and very lovable to every Christian—will be the exhibition that will then be made of the kingdom and the glory of Jesus. Only think what it will be to look all around, as far as the eye can stretch, and all is His! ‘On His head are many crowns!’ His sceptre supreme over a willing world! Every creature at His feet! To behold that Saviour—your Saviour—everything to all—and still not a whit the less yours. He everything to you; and you everything to Him!
III. The manifestation of Christ.—But there is another thing after which you are always panting. I mean the image of Christ upon your soul. ‘Why am I not more like Him?’ But now you stand before Him, in His unveiled perfections, and you are like Him, for you ‘see Him as He is!’ And if ‘His appearing’ is to appear in you, is not that cause to love Him? It is difficult for any who have not known quiet hours of holy meditation to realise what it will be to see Him—‘Whom having not seen, they love.’
Rev. James Vaughan.
Illustration‘There are four attitudes of mind in which we may stand respecting the “appearing” of Christ. By far the worst is “indifference”: and that indifference may be either the dulness of ignorance, or the apathy or the deadness of the moral feelings. The next state is “fear.” There is always something very good when there is “fear.” It requires faith to “fear.” But above “fear” is “hope.” “Hope” is expectation with desire: knowledge enough to be able to anticipate and grace enough to be able to wish it. And here the ladder is generally cut off; but God carries it one step higher—“love.” “Love” is as much above “hope” as “hope” is above “fear”—for “hope” may be selfish, “love” cannot be; “hope” may be for what a person gives, “love” must be for the person himself. Therefore a man might deceive himself, by thinking all was right in his soul, because he “hoped” for the Second Advent; but he might, after all, be set upon the pageant, and the rest, and the reward. But to the individual that “loves” it, there must be something infinitely dear in it; and that one dear thing is the Lord Jesus Christ.’