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the past few weeks； that the preaching of the disciples would make the
deepest impression。
During His ministry； Jesus had kept constantly before the disciples the fact
that they were to be one with Him in His work for the recovery of the world
from the slavery of sin。 When He sent forth the Twelve and afterward the
Seventy； to proclaim the kingdom of God； He was teaching them their duty to
impart to others what He had made known to them。 In all His work He was
training them for individual labor； to be extended as their numbers
increased； and eventually to reach to the uttermost parts of the earth。 The
last lesson He gave His followers was that they held in trust for the world
the glad tidings of salvation。
When the time came for Christ to ascend to His Father； He led the disciples
out as far as Bethany。 Here He paused； and they gathered about Him。 With
hands outstretched in blessing； as if in assurance of His protecting care；
He slowly ascended from among them。 〃It came to pass； while He blessed them；
He was parted from them； and carried up into heaven。〃 Luke 24：51。
While the disciples were gazing upward to catch the last glimpse of their
ascending Lord； He was received into the rejoicing ranks of heavenly angels。
As these angels escorted Him to the courts above； they sang in triumph；
〃Sing unto God； ye kingdoms of the earth； O sing praises
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unto the Lord； to Him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens。 。 。 。 Ascribe
ye strength unto God： His excellency is over Israel； and His strength is in
the heavens。〃 Psalm 68：32…34； margin。
The disciples were still looking earnestly toward heaven when； 〃behold； two
men stood by them in white apparel； which also said； Ye men of Galilee； why
stand ye gazing up into heaven？ this same Jesus； which is taken up from you
into heaven； shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into
heaven。〃 Acts 1：10； 11。
The promise of Christ's second coming was ever to be kept fresh in the minds
of His disciples。 The same Jesus whom they had seen ascending into heaven；
would come again； to take to Himself those who here below give themselves to
His service。 The same voice that had said to them； 〃Lo； I am with you alway；
even unto the end；〃 would bid them welcome to His presence in the heavenly
kingdom。
As in the typical service the high priest laid aside his pontifical robes
and officiated in the white linen dress of an ordinary priest； so Christ
laid aside His royal robes and garbed Himself with humanity and offered
sacrifice； Himself the priest； Himself the victim。 As the high priest； after
performing his service in the holy of holies； came forth to the waiting
congregation in his pontifical robes； so Christ will come the second time；
clothed in garments of whitest white； 〃so as no fuller on earth can white
them。〃 Mark 9：3。 He will come in His own glory； and in the glory of His
Father； and all the angelic host will escort Him on His way。
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Thus will be fulfilled Christ's promise to His disciples； 〃I will come
again； and receive you unto Myself。〃 John 14：3。 Those who have loved Him and
waited for Him； He will crown with glory and honor and immortality。 The
righteous dead will come forth from their graves； and those who are alive
will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air。 They will hear the
voice of Jesus； sweeter than any music that ever fell on mortal ear； saying
to them； Your warfare is accomplished。 〃Come； ye blessed of My Father；
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world。〃
Matthew 25；34。
Well might the disciples rejoice in the hope of their Lord's return。
（35）
Chapter 4
Pentecost
As the disciples returned from Olivet to Jerusalem； the people looked on
them； expecting to see on their faces expressions of sorrow； confusion； and
defeat； but they saw there gladness and triumph。 The disciples did not now
mourn over disappointed hopes。 They had seen the risen Saviour； and the
words of His parting promise echoed constantly in their ears。
In obedience to Christ's command； they waited in Jerusalem for the promise
of the Fatherthe outpouring of the Spirit。 They did not wait in idleness。
The record says that they were 〃continually in the temple； praising and
blessing God。〃 Luke 24：53。 They also met together to present their requests
to the Father in the name of Jesus。 They knew that they had a Representative
in heaven； an Advocate at the throne of God。 In solemn awe they bowed in
prayer； repeating the assurance； 〃Whatsoever ye shall
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ask the Father in My name； He will give it you。 Hitherto have ye asked
nothing in My name： ask； and ye shall receive； that your joy may be full。〃
John 16：23； 24。 Higher and still higher they extended the hand of faith；
with the mighty argument； 〃It is Christ that died； yea rather； that is risen
again； who is even at the right hand of God； who also maketh intercession
for us。〃 Romans 8：34。
As the disciples waited for the fulfillment of the promise； they humbled
their hearts in true repentance and confessed their unbelief。 As they called
to remembrance the words that Christ had spoken to them before His death
they understood more fully their meaning。 Truths which had passed from their
memory were again brought to their minds； and these they repeated to one
another。 They reproached themselves for their misapprehension of the
Saviour。 Like a procession； scene after scene of His wonderful life passed
before them。 As they meditated upon His pure； holy life they felt that no
toil would be too hard； no sacrifice too great； if only they could bear
witness in their lives to the loveliness of Christ's character。 Oh； if they
could but have the past three years to live over； they thought； how
differently they would act！ If they could only see the Master again； how
earnestly they would strive to show Him how deeply they loved Him； and how
sincerely they sorrowed for having ever grieved Him by a word or an act of
unbelief！ But they were comforted by the thought that they were forgiven。
And they determined that； so far as possible； they would atone for their
unbelief by bravely confessing Him before the world。
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The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and
in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ。
Putting away all differences； all desire for the supremacy； they came close
together in Christian fellowship。 They drew nearer and nearer to God； and as
they did this they realized what a privilege had been theirs in being
permitted to associate so closely with Christ。 Sadness filled their hearts
as they thought of how many times they had grieved Him by their slowness of
comprehension； their failure to understand the lessons that； for their good；
He was trying to teach them。
These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching。 The disciples
felt their spiritual n