(1) It is everywhere implied that Christ's with- drawal from the world affords His disciples the needful opportunity for the free and independent exercise of the gifts and powers entrusted to them. Their spiritual resources are to be developed to the utmost without the consciousness of being con- stantly overshadowed by His visible authority and supervision, but always in view of the day of reckoning (Mt 24*5-51 25"-='», Mk W^-^, Lk 12«-''8 ^912-26) Tj^g proof of readiness for His return is thoroughgoing devotion to the interests of the absent Lord, which are identical with the interests of His Kingdom, displayed in steadfast fidelity and iinflagging diligence in the use of the gifts held in trust, under the severe test of indefinitely prolonged absence (Mt 2445 252<»-, Lk 19'«'-)- But the same situation which creates the opportunity for freely utilizing the entrusted gifts, may lead to the mis- use or to the absolute neglect of them. The
READING
REALITY
471
perils attending a delayed Paiousia, which must be guardetl against with ceaseless vigilance, arise from a weakened sense of obligation issuing in slackness and lethargy, the sin of ' the untrinimed lamp and the ungirt loiir (Mk 13^«, Lk 12^''-), yielding to unbridled self-indulgence and the tyrannical abuse of authority (Mt 24^'"-), faithless and inexcusable failure to improve one's trust (Mt 25-"'-).
(2) The main strength of the appeal for constant readiness is drawn from the consideration that Christ's return w ill be sudden and unexpected. The fre(|uent admonition to watch sounds a note of alarm, pointing to the danger of being taken un- awares and found in a state of unpreparedness, due to the abrui)t and startling manner in which the Farousia breaks in upon and breaks up the estab- lished order of things (Mt 24-5^' 25«, Mk IS^", Lk 12^« 2P"'). Being of a catastrophic character, it leaves no time for the making or completing of prepara- tions previously neglected (Mt 24»»f-'*» 25^"). The period of probation, and with it the possibility of repairing past negligences and failures, are ended, and future destiny determined by character and achievements, now to come under searching scrutiny.
As the Parousia immediately heralds the Last Judgment (Mt 25'''- ^'), the manner in which the disciples have acquitted themselves during the period of Christ's absence is then passed under review, and appropriate destiny assigned them. Those who have proved their capacity in humbler spheres of service by hdelity to Christ's Person and interests are promoted to loftier spheres of service (Mt 24'*7 25-»-^3), raised to equality with Himself (Lk 12^^), and participate in the eternal blessed- ness of the consummated Kingdom (Mt 25'"- ^'- '^). Those who have failed to reach the required standard are excluded, so far as appears, irre- vocably, from such high fellowship (Mt 25i"- ^O), and incur penalties varying in degree in proportion to their unfaithfulness (Mt 245i, Lk 12'"f-). See also artt. Parousia and Second Coming.
W. S. Montgomery.
READING.— See artt. Boyhood in vol. i. p. 222^', Education, Reader.
REALITY. — That a spirit of clear sincerity and genuine reverence for truth pervades the narra- tives of the Gospel writers and insjjires the central Figure they depict, is an impression irresistibly forced on unprejudiced minds. Everywhere there is evident, in the writers themselves and in the Master about whom they write, a straightforward honesty and singleness of aim, and we find our- selves unmistakably in an atmosphere of reality.
I. In the Gospel writers. — Reality, as manifested by tiie Gospel writers, may be recognized by several notable features, such as :
1. The absence in them of any straining after effect. — They relate facts as they know them, and always with a certain artless simplicity ; and if occasionally they put an interpretation of their own upon the facts, it is still patent that it is an honestlj'^ framed interpretation. Invariably, in describing startling events, instead of dwelling on their startling character, they content themselves witii such bare statements as that ' fear came upon air (Lk V*\ that 'all men tlid marvel' (Mt 8=^ Mk 5-"), that men were ' amazed ' (Lk 4'**' 5-"), that ' they glorified God ' (Mt 9«- ''\ Mk 2'^, Lk 5''«), or that ' they were astonished with a great astonisli- ment ' (Mk 5'*-). There is often a graphic force in the description, yet the events themselves are re- lated without any rhetorical elaboration, and no attempt is made to heighten the colours. The narrative is plain, direct, and unadorned.
2. Their frankness in recorclinfj incidents ivhick reflect on the lenders of their cause. — Notwith- standing every inducement to save the credit of
the disciples lirst chosen liy the Master, far from concealing the faults and perversities of those men, they tell the story of tiiem with simple can- dour, this being in their view essential to an accu- rate understantling of the circumstances connected with the early beginnings of the faith. The jeal- ous rivalries of the Twelve, and their disputes as to who should be accounted greatest (Mt 18\ Mk y^'', Lk 22^''), the failure of some of them to meet the duty of the hour (Mt IT^" 26^»-*^ Mk W- ^C), the intolerant zeal (Lk 9^'*) and ambitious schem- ing (Mt 20-""'-'*) of the two sons of Zebedee, the rash presumption (M-**"^" 16^^-^^) and weak denial (Mt 2669-74^ Mk 146«-7') of Peter, the treachery of Judas (Mt26i»-'«- •*', Mk 14«, Lk22^«)— are all told with an unvarnished plainness which betokens an inward pressure to be strictly faithful to the truth.