TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH.
"It must needs be that offences come, but woe
to that man by whom the offence cometh,"—
MATT. 18:7.
It is needful and right that severe trial of faith should test the church whose trial is now closing, that the faithful overcomers may be developed, as well as separated from all others, and that, by their exaltation, the new Millennial age may commence. Nevertheless, as the trials come, they cause us to tremble; [R745 : page 7] and, as some fall in them, it causes pain. Yet our confidence must rest in the All-wise Harvester and in his sickle of truth. We must remember that he can make no mistake as to who shall stand or who fall. Not one whose name is "blotted out" of the book of life (Rev. 3:5) shall stand; and not one whose name remains, shall fall. He forewarned us who should be "able to stand," and that in all, it would be but a "little flock," saying, "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange things happened unto you"; "The fire of that day shall try every man's work, of what sort it is." 1 Pet. 4:12 and 1 Cor. 3:13.
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee" [the body of Christ.] "He shall give his angels [messengers—servants of the church] charge over THEE [or truths to sustain and strengthen thee] and they shall bear thee up in their hands [sustain and help thee], lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." [Lest the feet or last members of the Gospel church should stumble over the Rock of offence over which the nominal mass of both the Jewish and Gospel churches are to stumble.] Psa. 91:7,11,12; Isa. 8:14; 1 Cor. 1:18.
When the falling is ended, and those who stand are exalted, doubtless it will be true, that some fell whom we had expected would "stand," and that some will be found standing "complete in him," whom we had not expected to come off "victors."