(2 Cor. 12:1-10; Phil. 3:7, 8, 14-20.)

We have just had a precious lesson from the picture given on the other side of the cross (Luke 9:).Those three favored apostles were taken up to the mount of transfiguration, they saw a wonderful vision and heard wonderful words.

Here, in 2 Cor. 12:, we have a similar lesson to a sample man on this side of the cross, with added things, according as this apostle is the herald of fuller light and truth for us. Luke 9:is a vision of the Kingdom; 2 Cor. 12:a heavenly vision for the man in Christ-a taste of what awaits those who belong to heaven. To the apostle to whom are committed the heavenly things God opens up the heavens and gives him a taste of his future home. We have two lessons at the very threshold.

First, God takes him up to the heavenly scene and gives him a taste of what he was to have in the future.

Second, the same man who has the heavens opened up to him now has to return to earth, and is left here to represent the One he had just seen above, and illustrate in his life the precious things he had learned.

Paul saw visions and received revelations that made a wonderful impression upon him, and he could not find words fully to express what he saw. His soul was so raptured that he could not even tell whether he was in the body or out of the body at the time. This was to be the power within for his testimony in suffering afterward to the end of his course. It would enable him to bear in patience the "messenger of Satan" who would seek to hinder him in every possible way, but who, in the hand of God, would be the means of preventing him from pride- the cause of the downfall of all who become possessed of it.

So the disciples in Luke 9::they are given a glimpse of the coming glory of the Kingdom, that they may in patience meet all the difficulties of Satan's opposition until the Kingdom is set up.

We have the same lessons to learn, and God uses the same means, though in a different form:we get glimpses of Christ in the glory also, that we may face the stern realities of the Christian life. Each heart knows what its own exercises and sorrows are in this respect, and Satan intends these to hinder us also; but God uses them to deepen the spirituality of our lives. We have seen the apostle in the heavens; next we have seen his re turn, and then his exercises begin; now we will notice a few lessons which follow, rather finer examples than the failures we note in Luke 9:after the transfiguration; yet these failures all went for blessing. Exercise of soul is sure to follow seasons of elevation. When Paul comes down from the third heaven he is brought where there is need of prayer. Yes, he prayed three times. And is not this a great blessing ? If we have things that try us, things from the world, or the flesh within, or from Satan without, do we not then value prayer more ? Every exercise and sorrow, if taken rightly, produces more prayer and if this be the case the result is profit and blessing to ourselves, and glory to God.

But we move on with the progress the Spirit gives in this dear man's experience.
The Lord answers his prayer by saying, "My grace is sufficient for thee."

What a lesson we learn here! He does not get what he first prayed for, because the Lord saw something else was better for him. But He gave him grace to endure his circumstances, through which he would be the better fitted to be His servant. All this is written for us. We have exercises; we are made to feel the need of prayer; and next we learn that "my grace is sufficient" for the whole path until we reach the end and see our Lord face to face.

See now the resignation which follows:"I will glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ might overshadow me " (New Trans). He is living here for Christ; and anything that will enable him the better to carry out the purpose of His heart, he is willing to submit to. What a lesson for us! The Lord give us the desire thus to follow the apostle even as he also followed Christ.

Turning now to Phil. 3:we get further testimony in the same way.

When the apostle returned to the sober realities of the life of service, the impress of that glory sight remained upon him so powerfully that he says he counts everything here as filth that he might win Christ (New Trans. J. N..D., Phil. 3:8). Things he might glory in and use, even enjoy perhaps-to Paul, the man who had the heavenly vision and the glory of the Lord pass before his eyes-all must go for Christ. Compared with Him all is filth. What divine energy!

He knew Christ, but knew Him only to desire to know Him more. He had learnt to know Him, to walk with Him, and now he desired to be here only to represent Him. Now with a longing heart he is looking for the Saviour (vers. 20, 21) from heaven to bring the desired end, and so do we. Nearly 1900 years have passed since He left the Mount (Acts 1:) and since He said, "I will come again" (John 14:), but He is surely coming, and we believe the time is now very near. This last verse gives us what we shall get, and I love the last word, "Himself." Yes, all will be right then; perfect in spirit, soul, body-all, all like Himself, and with Himself. It is Himself who shall come, yes beloved, Himself the Saviour forever.

May the Lord help us to respond to such light and truth, that the yearnings of our heart may be, as we look on to the end, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."