Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

The main lesson for the Christian is to understand where we are chronologically. Matthew tells us what to the expect during the parousia of our Lord. We see the fig tree (Israel) blossom, that is show signs of life, and are told that this generation who witnesses that event will not perish before all is accomplished. We are hoping the blossoming is 1948, but it could be 1967, in any event we are at “the end”. Time is short. We need to wake up, trim our lamps, and go out to meet our Lord!

Paul had tried to persuade Apollos to go back to Corinth, but it was not convenient for him to return until later. The account does not state what the hindrance was with Apollos. Earlier in this epistle, Paul wrote that he had planted and Apollos had watered (1 Cor. 3:6). Paul thought highly of Apollos, even though they differed doctrinally for a while. Apollos had brought many to Christ, he was zealous and courageous, and he was willing to be instructed. Even prior to his enlightenment on the subject of baptism, he was commended as being full of faith in the Spirit and mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24,25). Paul properly weighed matters.

Why did Micah introduce this prophecy about the “last [latter] days” at this point? After all his thundering predictions of trouble and destruction, he wanted to encourage the people. The Hebrew gives the thought of the “mountain of the house of the LORD” being firmly established. This figurative language about the house of God being established in the top of the mountains and above the hills means that Jerusalem will become the capital of the world—the most prominent city in the entire world, exalted above all other governments. No doubt, too, it will literally be higher than the surrounding hills after the earthquake mentioned by the Prophet Zechariah takes place (Zech. 14:4,5,10). All “people shall flow unto it” shows figuratively that there will be voluntary cooperation; the people will be drawn and not driven there.

With the pagan religions consisting of long-standing myths about false gods handed down from generation to generation, anyone who wanted to search out truth from that source would only go back into a hazy, vague past. In contrast, the beautiful thing about the Bible is that the further back one goes, the more mathematical it is—exactly the opposite of the false religions. The Bible contains names, dates, geography, cities, and ages. Where else is there a religion like that? In order to know if a matter is true, we can turn to the original instructions of Jesus and the original words of the apostles and the prophets. What we find is precise and definite. As Bro. Krebs used to say, “It is a miracle to see the truth.” The truth is logical, but understanding it is miraculous because Satan has deceived the whole world and kept them in ignorance. Even very intellectual, intelligent people do not understand because God has not revealed truth to them.

Paul prayed exceedingly, night and day, to be permitted to return to the Thessalonians. He prayed without ceasing, as it were. By reading the Book of Acts and the other epistles, we know that he prayed for other ecclesias as well. No doubt he had a long prayer list. However, his prayers in regard to the Thessalonians were especially admirable because he himself had suffered persecution there and most certainly would suffer again if he returned. What a great motive and example of self-sacrifice! He wanted to “perfect,” or bring to maturity, what was lacking in their faith.

Paul knew that he would not have an instantaneous resurrection. Henceforth a “crown of righteousness” was laid up for him, to be given “at that day [in the future]” and “unto all them also that love his [Jesus’] appearing.” Those who are truly and honestly looking forward to the appearing of the Lord in connection with his Kingdom, those who are true in conscience and spirit, will probably be especially those of the Little Flock class.

John used the same reasoning in 1 John 3:3, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” Those who really look forward to seeing Jesus will purify themselves. Paul described this attitude, the hope of seeing Jesus, as those who “love his appearing.”

It is profitable to think of this verse in two ways: despise not prophecy and despise not teachings. Especially here in this epistle, which contains a lot about prophecy, that thought should be included in the admonition. “Despise not instruction” is another way of expressing this verse, and the instruction includes heeding times and things in season for the end time. We should be particularly interested in prophecy about the end of the age because of the day in which we are living.

We should not neglect study or hearing the thoughts of elders. Since those who are given to works might neglect study, there is a danger in putting too much emphasis on works.

That is why this type of subject should be discussed and why a soul sickness due to conditions other than sin should not be ruled out. It is harder for those in present truth to humble themselves today because brethren generally think of verse 15 as applying only to those who do something wrong. They think one’s estrangement from the Lord is because of disobedience and sin. Because that is the only view usually entertained, a person suffering soul sickness becomes even more reluctant to humble himself lest the action put him in an unfavorable light. Meanwhile, the individual does not know what is causing the condition. The trial is especially difficult if the group the individual meets with on a regular basis is cold and not given to commiseration for this type of condition. Consequently, verse 15 is not practiced much in the Truth movement.

WHATEVER the character of the watching, and whatever the thing to be looked for, there can be no question that the exhortation to watch for an event whose precise time is not stated, implies that when the event does take place, the watching ones will know it. Watch, because ye know not, in order that at the proper time ye may know, is the thought; and the intimation clearly is, that those who do not watch will not know: that the events which are to be known in due time to the Watchers, will be recognized by them, and not recognized by others, at the time of accomplishment.