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  THE LAND OF DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
  by F.B. Meyer
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Summary: The Christian view of death is one of hope and confidence, with
death abolished and life and immortality brought to light.

Topics: "Hope in Christ", "Readiness for His Return"
Scripture References: Job 10:21, Matthew 25:1-13, John 14:3, Romans 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 2 Timothy 4:8, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 1:13, Revelation 22:12

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DESCRIPTION
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F.B. Meyer reflects on the contrast between the ancient understanding of
death as a land of darkness and the Christian hope of eternal life and
light through Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that while the patriarchs
viewed life as day and the afterlife as night, believers today see the
present as night and the future as a glorious day. Meyer encourages
Christians to live in anticipation of Christ's return, likening the
soul's affections to the tides influenced by the cross and the hope of
His coming. He urges believers to remain vigilant and prepared,
embodying the spirit of waiting for the Lord's return with faith and
readiness.

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CONTENT
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The land of darkness and the shadow of death. Job x. 21.

THIS represented the highest thinking of that age about the future.
There were gleams now and again of something more; but they were fitful
and uncertain, soon overtaken by dark and sad forebodings. How different
to our happy condition, for whom death is abolished, whilst life and
immortality have been brought to light! The patriarch called the present
life Day, and the future Night. We know that in comparison the present
is Night, and the future Day. "The night is far spent, the day is at
hand; let us put on the armour of light."

For us, too, there is something better. We wait for his Son from heaven;
we look for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God
and Saviour Jesus Christ. "As the waters of the sea are held between two
mighty gravitations, the moon now drawing them towards itself, and the
earth drawing them back again, thus giving the ebbing and flowing tide,
by which our earth is kept clean and healthful, so must the tides of the
soul's affection move perpetually between the cross of Christ and the
coming of Christ, influenced now by the power of memory and now by the
power of hope." It is said of the late Dr. Gordon: "Hardly a sermon was
preached without allusion to the glorious appearing. Never a day passed
in which he did not prepare himself for it, in which its hastening was
not sought for with prayer." "Yet a little while [Greek, how little! how
little!] and He that shall come will come." The attitude of every
believer should be that of waiting: with loins girt and lamp burning,
let us be ready to meet our Lord.

"The Best is yet to be,

The Last for which the First was made."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/fb-meyer/the-land-of-darkness-and-the-shadow-of-death/
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