fulfilment. — They have been repeatedly fulfilled during the last eighteen hundred years. Wherever there have been disciples of Christ, there has always been more or less persecution. — ^They will yet receive a more full ac- complishment before the end comes. The last tribulation will probably be marked by special violence and bitter- ness. It will be a " great tribulation." (Rev. vii. 14.)
Let it be a settled principle in our minds that the true Christian must always enter the kingdom of God " through much tribulation." (Acts xiv. 22.) His best things are yet to come. This world is not our home. If we are faithful and decided servants of Christ, the world will certainly hate us» as it hated our Master. In one way or another grace will always be persecuted. No consistency of conduct, however faultless, no kindness and amiability of character, however striking, will exempt a believer from the world's dislike, so long as he lives. It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is mere waste of time to murmur at it. It is a part of the cross, and we must bear it patiently. The children of Cain will hate the children of Abel as long as the earth continues. " Marvel not, my brethren," says St. John, " if the world hate you." " If ye were of the world," says our Lord, " the world would love his own ; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (1 John iii. 13 ; John xv. 18, 19.)
We should notice, lastly, in this passage, Christ's gr€tciom promise to Sis disciples. He says '* there shall not an hair of your head perish." Our blessed Lord knew well the hearts of His disciples. He saw that the prophecy He had just spoken might well make them