What was foretold in prophecy is fulfilled in the faith and experience of saints. Here are two notes of attention. "Behold;" it highly concerns us. Take special notice.
When the Lord God, our Immanuel Jesus, came to his temple, he found that beautiful building in sad disorder; his spiritual worship lost; and his house of prayer turned into a den of thieves. Behold, with a strong hand and out-stretched arm, with no weapon but an insignificant scourge of small cords, he drove the multitude from the temple. Amazing miracle! The meek Lamb is also "the Lion of the tribe of Judah." Thus he came not only with a strong hand, but against the strong as some render it.
So, behold, he comes to take possession of the temple of his people's hearts. This temple he finds in most woful plight. All the powers of earth and hell are engaged against him. "The strong man armed keeps possession." But precious, powerful Jesus casts out Satan, enters by his love and rules by his Spirit where Satan reigned. But he comes not by power only, but by grace also; behold, he brings his reward with him. The distressed soul he pardons; the naked soul he clothes with the robe of his righteousness; the hungry soul he feeds with good things; he giveth such his flesh to eat and his blood to drink. Then, how do their hearts pant after Jesus! how do they hunger and thirst after righteousness, and cry and pray, "Lord, increase our faith, that we may eat as thy friends, drink larger draughts as thy beloved, and be more abundantly satisfied with thy love!"
Thus our Lord Christ rewards his people with the fruits of his own toils and the blessings of his own finished work and salvation, even with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. But, O Jesus, cries the poor sinner, "What a vile, sinful, carnal, earthly-minded wretch am I still by nature!" Fear not, saith Jesus, thou art called to look unto me. Behold, "my work is before me." Have I vanquished the powers of death and hell for thee, and can I not conquer sin in thee, and subdue thy flesh under thee? Was his blood the price of thy soul and the atonement of thy sins? Then must thou wait in faith for the total destruction of thy last enemies, sin and death, at his second coming. Then, in the triumph of thy soul, thou shalt joyfully proclaim the perfect victory of Jesus, and say, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain." Rev. 5:12.
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