January 30

And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. Job 19:25.

THIS remarkable prediction of the Messiah, evidently refers to his glorious incarnation. Then did Job feel that his Redeemer was alive: but he also confidently looked onwards to a period, when he should become a visitor of man, and a resident on earth. Then, Job's Redeemer was highly exalted amid the glory of the celestial temple, receiving the ceaseless worship of seraphim and cherubim; but he saw a period when he would leave his heavenly habitation, and be found in our world, in fashion as a man. The period referred to, is the latter day. This latter day, is represented as the day of Christ, the day which Abraham saw afar off, and was glad. This day began with Christ's advent, and will only terminate with his second appearance, when he shall come without a sin offering, to the complete salvation of his people. During this day, Christ did stand upon the earth; he stood before men, as their Great Prophet, unveiling to them the mysteries of heaven; he stood as the Great Lawgiver, of his Church, and the example of purity, goodness, and truth; he stood there as the world's philanthropist, and hence his life was exhausted in acts of unrivalled and universal beneficence; he stood there as our Redeemer, and bore the assault of the powers of hell, and overcame on our behalf all our enemies. He stood and received the cup of incensed wrath, and trod the winepress of the Divine indignation alone; he stood there until he had fulfilled the whole plan of redemption, and had completely extricated our world from the sentence of eternal death. But we have already hinted that there will be another advent, that Christ will come again, and stand a second time on the earth. It seems highly probable that this might be the appearing, to which Job especially referred, as he connects with it his own resurrection and beatific vision of the blessed God. Yes, Christ will again stand on the earth, and raise to life and immortality, his sleeping saints, and clothe them with all the beauty of unfading youth. Blessed are all they who are looking for him. Even so come Lord Jesus. Come quickly. Amen.