2. The apostle mentioneth this time, because till then our own salvation is not perfect nor complete for body and soul. The whole church is not perfected and brought together. Then we shall have many privi- leges that we had not before.
[1.] It is a day of manifestation : Rom. viii. 19, ' For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.' All is now hid ; Christ is hid, and the saints are hid. Their life is hid : Col. iii. 2, ' Our life is hid with Christ in God.' Their glory is hid : 1 John iii. 2, ' Now we are the sons of God, but it doth not appear what we shall be.' But then all shall appear, the per- sons, their relation to Christ, the glory he will put upon them : ' We shall appear with him in glory ; ' as Moses told the rebels, Num. vi. 16, ' To-morrow the Lord will show who are his.' Jesus Christ will appear in all his royalty and glory, as the great God and Saviour of the world : we shall put on our best robes. In winter the tree appeareth not what it is ; the sap and life is hidden in the root ; but when summer corneth, all is discovered.
[2.] It is a day of perfection. Everything tendeth to its perfect state, so do the saints. They cannot be contented to be still as they are ; therefore this day is the great motive to them. Then they shall have perfect holiness, perfect freedom from sin, and all the fruits and effects of it. Christ is then a perfect Saviour. He saveth us now in part, but then he saveth us to the utmost. Body and soul are then united and perfectly glorified, and fitted to praise God in heaven. Our Saviour cometh to make an end of what he hath begun. Our souls are made perfect before, but then our bodies are freed from corruption. All christian privileges are then perfect : Eph. iv. 30, ' Ye are sealed to the day of redemption ; ' Eph. i. 14 ' Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession ; ' Luke xxi. 28, ' Then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth near.' Regeneration is then perfect : Mat. xix. 28, 'Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.' Adoption : Bom. viii. 23, 'We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the
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redemption of our body.' Justification : Actsiii. 19, ' Repent, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord.' Our judge on his tribunal shall absolve us as with his own mouth, and as it were crown us with his own hands.
[3.] It is a day of congregation or gathering together. The saints are now scattered ; they live in diverse ages, countries, towns, and houses, and have little comfort and knowledge one of another. Then all meet in one assembly or congregation : Ps. i. 5, ' The congregation of the righteous.' There is the great rendezvous. Now God's children are scattered up and down where they may be most useful ; as stars do not shine in a cluster, but are dispersed up and down the heavens. Then all the four winds shall give up their dead ; then the wicked shall be herded together, as straws and sticks are bound in a bundle to set one another a-fire ; adulterers together, drunkards together, bound in bundles : Mat. xiii. 41, 42, ' The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire ; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' So the godly shall meet in a congregation, and never separate more. We cannot enjoy one another's fellowship in this life, because God hath service for us in diverse countries ; therefore the saints are groaning for that happy day. In a wreck, those that are got ashore are longing and looking for their com- panions. In short, here the tares are mingled with the wheat. Jacob's cattle and Laban's cattle are together ; but then they shall be separated, and for ever live apart.
[4.] It is a day of glorification : Mat. xxiv. 30, ' They shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory ; ' when Christ shall get himself a glorious name in the final destruction of all his enemies. He got himself a glorious name when he drowned Pharaoh in the sea ; what will he do when he casteth all the wicked into hell ? Christ showeth his majesty every day, but we have not eyes to see it ; our eyes are dazzled with worldly splendour, but then all mists shall vanish. The time shall come when God shall be dishon- oured no more, and sin shall have an end. Here God hath not his per- fect glory from us nor in us, as passive objects or active instruments. Objectively : Eph. i. 12, ' That we should be to the praise of his glory.' If man say nothing or do nothing, the work will speak for itself. As active instruments : Mat. v. 16, ' Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.' Now both ways will God be more glorified by us actively, as we shall laud him and praise him for evermore without weariness or distraction. Objectively: 2 Thes. i. 10, 'When he shall be glorified in his saints, and be admired in all them that do believe.' Passively, as more of God is seen in them at that day than ever could be thought of.