Four great messages are made sure to the believer in the verbally inspired Word of God.

I.–THE DEITY OF CHRIST

From the Sacred Scriptures we are assured that Jesus our Lord, the Son of God our Saviour, existed eternally with the Father; that by Him all things came into being (John 1:1-3); that, according to the Father's counsel of love, in coming to this earth the manner of His incarnation was through a virgin, as fully explained in the Divine record (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:30-35; 2:7-11). We are assured that He was seen and heard by men that companied with Him here upon earth, and that multitudes were blessed by His gracious power. Upon earth, in humanity, He was "the Holy One of God;" now risen and glorified in heaven, He is the very same Jesus, and forever unites God and man in one glorious person.

The believer in the verbally inspired Word of God rests with perfect security and delight upon these testimonies, and refuses all skeptical suggestions that do not coincide with what the Scriptures have said; and, "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know" Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" (1 John 5:20).

II.–THE ATONEMENT

At the Cross we contemplate a wondrous scene. For four thousand years, divinely appointed sacrifices had taught men to look forward to a great event, that "Center of two eternities, which look onward and back to Thee." Prophecy after prophecy, from Gen. 3:IS to Zech. 13:7, had pointed to, and kept the great Sacrifice of the cross in view, where all types and shadows, and every prophecy concerning His sufferings and death were fulfilled.

Reverently let us meditate upon those six hours on the cross where our Great Redeemer suffered, both at the hands of man, because He was righteous, and at the hand of God as a Divine Substitute for man. The cry, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" in those hours of darkness, point to what those sufferings meant for Him when "He bare our sins in His own body on the tree" (1 Pet. 2:24). In emerging out of the darkness into the light of the Father's countenance, we hear those memorable words, "IT IS FINISHED." Then, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." In thus dismissing His own spirit, we see a reflection of His Godhead power in laying down His life, when His work was finished, and taking it up again in resurrection. Thus has God's love been manifested toward us:"He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10).

"O cross of Christ! O glorious tree!
What place can be compared with thee-
Where God's own Son was crucified,
And for our sins a ransom died!"

III.–OUR SALVATION SECURED
God's dealings with man now are in grace, based upon the atoning sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus upon the cross. Being risen and glorified, He has commanded that the good news of salvation through faith in Him be proclaimed in all the world. Millions have heard and received the message, and in the power of the Holy Spirit have been born anew and received remission of sins. Eternal life and eternal salvation are thus secured to every believer who is thus put in association with Christ, the glorified Head of the New Creation. The Gospels, the Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation are filled with messages of assurance concerning each of these blessed themes. Divine peace and rest for the soul are the sure result of receiving in the heart these statements of Scripture. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

IV.–THE SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD

The whole New Testament, from Matthew to the close of Revelation, bears witness to our Lord's coming again as the hope of the believer and of the Church, as He who came from heaven and suffered upon the cross has promised, "I will come again and receive you unto Myself." This word "again" implies a second coming. When our Lord came first, He gave full proof as to His Divine Person and mission-by His life, His teaching, His mighty miracles, and finally by His resurrection from among the dead (Rom. 1:3,4). And now we await His second coming.

Our authority for such a hope is based, as is that for our salvation, upon the testimonies of Holy Scripture. He Himself has said, "I will come again and receive you unto Myself." Angels confirmed this promise after His ascension (Acts 1:11); the Holy Spirit through the Apostles has abundantly confirmed it (1 Thess. 4:13-18); and we await its fulfilment. Let this be our daily hope, and in view of it gird our loins afresh from day to day, and trim our lamps, and be as men that await their Lord's return. To His last word of promise, "Surely I come quickly," let us respond with a loyal, joyful heart, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." A. E. Booth