Adolph Saphir expressed some encouraging thoughts about Christ’s return in the book The Hidden Life: Thoughts on Communion with God.
On The Hidden Life
The Hidden Life isn’t a well-known book today. It’s also a classic example of a book I bought many years ago; gave it a cursory look and placed it on the book shelf with the intention to eventually read. I can’t even now remember how I found out about it, or where I got it from.
However I was reminded of the book while reading Fred Sanders’ The Deep Things of God – How the Trinity Changes Everything. Sanders’ book isn’t designed to set out biblical proofs of the Trinity. It shows the how and why the truth of the Trinity is vitally important to the church.
In this book Sanders calls The Hidden Life a “masterpiece.” In another place he writes, “At all costs, get and read his book…” I’ve come to the conclusion that sometimes we’re not ready to read great books. Maybe (aside from laziness) that’s why they sit on our shelves. Either way, I have the book and now I’m reading it.
With Jesus, Now and for Ever
In a chapter called “With Jesus, Now and for Ever”, Saphir writes at length about our union in Christ in the present. He notes the fleeting temporal nature of this world,
The world’s gifts are not what they seem to be. They do not enrich the heart; they do not last; and above all, they are dead things which cannot give life. But Jesus gives, and gives Himself… When we think of Him, when we love and serve Him, when we pray and hear His voice, we do not merely exist, we live. “To me to live is Christ.”
Looking to Christ’s Return
Later Saphir writes,
We are with Jesus; and yet, when we are most truly with Jesus, and feel His presence and our oneness with Him, there arise also most vividly the thought and hope of His return, when the heavenly Bridegroom and His Church shall meet to part no more, when we shall be for ever with the Lord… Even when Jesus is nearest, when He brings them into the banqueting-house, their hearts are gladdened by the thought – Till He come!
A Hymn
At the end of the chapter there’s a poem-hymn by A. H. Franke. It was written following his unjust expulsion from Erfurt. The poem is full of hope and joy. Here are two verses:
Oh, that I soon might Thee behold,
I count the moments o’er!
Ah! Come, ere yet my heart grows cold,
And cannot call Thee more!
Come in Thy glory; for Thy Bride
Hath girt her for the holy-tide,
And waiteth at the door…
Come! is the voice then of Thy Bride;
She loudly prays Thee come!
With faithful heart she long hath cried,
Come quickly, Jesus, come!
Come, O my Bridegroom, Lamb of God;
Come down and take me home!
Maranatha!
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