"With Christ which is far better" (Phil. 1:23).

"Today shalt thou be with Me, in paradise" (Lk 23:43). "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am" (John 17:24).

Nothing short of our being with Christ will satisfy His heart of love. We may have been saved from hell's dark doom, and yet be left at a distance from such bliss. But love delights in the presence of its object. And such is the love of our Lord Jesus that nothing less than our presence with Him in Glory will meet His desire.

This is answered on our part, as believers, by the heart's longing to be with our Saviour, to see His face, to hear His voice, to be for ever with Him.

He is coming for His own. His words are definite:

"The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:16,17).

"So.. .ever.. .with." These words were emphasized by a preacher recently. With great sweetness he pressed them upon our notice.

"SO." The blessed way in which it will come to pass.

"Caught up together." For those alive, without suffering or death, changed in a moment into the likeness of His glorious body. For those raised, raised in glory and incorruptibility and honor.

"EVER." The blessed eternity before His own. to go no more out. In the Father's house of joy and praise eternally, always to delight before Him. Unbroken peace in the enjoyment of our "inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

"WITH." The blessed company. Our Lord's presence our chief joy, with unbreakable communion with Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. To talk with Him, to walk with Him, to serve Him, to be like Him and fit for His company. Wonderful prospect this!

A tombstone in Bournemouth (Eng.) Cemetery bears the following inscription:

John 17:24. "With Me." No more is told.
What more, Lord, couldst Thou tell?
Thou knewest that would satisfy
The heart that knows Thee well.

With Christ THEN. May we seek to be for Him Now. Inglis Fleming