A Royal Homegoing

by F. A. PERIGO | Category: N/a | Dec 1951

RUTH 1.19; Psalm 24.7-10.

From the incident of Naomi's homegoing, "when the whole city was moved," we may assume that it feebly illustrates the very glad welcome that is accorded to God's beloved people as, one by one, they are withdrawn to heaven. Welcomed, because they are part of the trophy of the victory won at Calvary; the mightiest battle ever fought when the Lord Jesus waged His warfare with Satan, and in love to them atoned for their sins.

It has been often argued, that Naomi ought never to have left Bethlehem-Judah, but she, at least, was subject to the one who was her head, her husband Elimelech, who broke down in the face of temptation, but her reward was bright when she returned, and further, Ruth her daughter-in-law became an ancestress of the blessed Christ of God.

This welcome, however, pales into insignificance when one considers the welcome homegoing of the Lord Jesus, so graphically narrated in Psalm 24. Here are angels upon angels-there are 100,000,000 (ten-thousand times ten-thousand in Revelation 5.) besides "thousands of thousands "-all rendering homage to this great and glorious Person. They had, with wonder and amazement, watched His lowly, but holy, pathway on earth, while He mingled with the human race, but, oh so supremely perfect in WORD and WORK, so dignified in every way that it even calls forth from our cold, poor and unresponsive hearts, deep and glad worship! Yes, myriads of these celestial beings -seraphim, those so near the throne that they become the celebrants of God's holiness, and constantly cry, "Holy, holy, holy;" cherubim, executants of God's governmental dealings with this earth,-these all, with welcoming joy, state how fittingly it is that the Son of God should be granted the overlordship of creation, by virtue of (a) Creatorial right, (b) Redemptive right, (c) Right of birth. "Lift up your heads, etc.," is the theme of their worshipping thoughts. What a profound shock to Satan and the wicked spirits in the heavenlies (blest future home of the saints), as they witnessed the Son of God, His humiliation and sufferings over, passing upward to the heavens-to the right hand of God! Satan has continued to wage war against the saints of God ever since most relentlessly, and is their accuser, accusing them day and night" (see Rev elation 12.10). Of course, he has been the adversary in all ages.

But verse 9 of Psalm 24. may yet have to be fulfilled with regard to Israel restored who will celebrate this welcome to Jerusalem on earth. It will be remembered that the Lord Jesus, in His closing ministry to Israel, and when the dark clouds of rejection, suffering and cruel death were hovering round His blessed Head, stated in Matthew 23.39, "Ye shall not see Me henceforth until ye say, Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord." Restored, disciplined, and blessed, the true remnant will accord Him glad welcome to earth; their hearts surcharged with deep emotion. With Him will be His guard of honour, glory-crowned saints, who are "called and chosen (God's side), and faithful," (our side). May the tribute of our hearts to-day, in this unique moment, be to enshrine Him in our affections, and say, adoringly, "Lord Jesus." So shall our "Church of God" relations be holy and fruitful; our business relations in every way worthy and God-glorifying; our home relations be a tiny "world to come" happiness; and our own personal joy be responsive to the outgoings of reciprocal love.

"A holy Father's tender care,

Keeps watch with an unwearying eye;

To see what fruits His children bear,

Fruits that may suit their calling high;

Takes ever knowledge of our state;

What dims communion with His love

Might check our growth, or separate

Our hearts from what's revealed above."

F. A. PERIGO | Dec 1951
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