This sermon delves into the themes of readiness for the imminent return of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of being prepared, overcoming challenges through the blood of the Lamb and the power of testimony, and the need to prioritize the life of Christ over worldly desires. It highlights the concept of the Church as the bride of Christ, the significance of overcomers throughout history, and the ultimate victory and eternal union with Christ in the future.

Will you please turn to Revelation, the last chapter, chapter 22. Revelation, chapter 22, verse 20. Revelation, chapter 22, verse 20. He that testifies these things says, yea, I come quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. And the same book, chapter 12. Chapter 12, verse 11. Chapter 12, verse 11. And they, that is the man child, have overcome him, that is the devil, by reason of the blood of the lamb, and by reason of the word of their testimony, and have not loved their life even unto death. May we have a short word of prayer. Dear Lord, we want to thank Thee for gathering us together this morning. We have given this time back to Thee, and pray that Thou will use this time to reveal Thy heart to us. We pray that our hearts may respond to Thy heart. That Thy word will enter into us and become alive. That the testimony of Jesus may be maintained, proclaimed, till Thy coming. We commit this time into Your loving hand, and ask Thee to break the bread of life to each and every one of us. To Thee be the glory, in Thy precious name, Lord Jesus. Amen. Our Lord had come into this world, and had accomplished His work of salvation on Calvary's cross. Now He was going to leave the world, to return to His Heavenly Father. During the Last Supper, He was with His own disciples. When He told them He was leaving them, they were sad. Because He was their comforter. One who came alongside them, and took care of them. Throughout those years, they followed Him. So our Lord tried to comfort the hearts of these disciples. He said, do not be grieved, because I'm leaving. But I'm coming back. In my Father's house, there are many mansions. And I go to prepare a place for you. Then I'll come back, and receive you to myself. When our Lord Jesus mentions, He does not mean that there are many houses, all separate by themselves. What He meant was, there was only one house. The house of God. But within that house, there are many mansions. Or shall we say, apartments. In other words, after we have been completed, He will receive us back to Himself. And to dwell with Him. When I think of mansion, I'm thinking of the time when I was born and raised up. I was born in a mansion. A big house. My grandfather was a builder. And he wanted his whole family to be always with him. So he built a mansion. A huge house. To accommodate the families of his four sons. And even his two daughters. One married, one unmarried. He wanted all of us to live together. Every single family had an apartment. And even his married daughter, he built a small house beside that big house. And his married daughter and her family lived in that small house. In other words, he wanted us to be together. Four generations living together in a big house. That was my childhood. Probably, you would think that that would be a very good idea. Of course, this is a good idea. But also there are many problems. Because my grandfather provided everything. He even provided all the grandchildren's education. And my grandmother provided food for all the members of the family. In a sense, the ladies had nothing to do. Everything was provided. And every family at that time had a slave. So when the dinner time comes, the slave will come and call everybody to the dining room. Nothing to do. But much gossiping. And that was the life of that earthly, huge family that I grew up with. So brothers and sisters, there is only one house of God. But within that house, our Lord has provided for each and every one of us to have his or her mansion. He returned to heaven after he had accomplished his redemptive work. Then he sent the Holy Spirit down to dwell in each and every one of us to complete the work of redemption in every one of us. That's what the Lord was doing. And at the same time, he told his disciples that I will come back to receive you to myself. That you may be with me forever. So when we come to the last page of the last book of the Bible, Revelation, he declared, behold, I come quickly. In other words, the Lord was anxious to come back to receive his own. With that kind of promise, I believe the saints in the first century, they were looking for the return of our Lord. It is not a wrong concept. It is real. Why? Because the Lord could come back at their time. But unfortunately, he didn't return. Not that he did not want to return, but because his bride is not ready. In my lifetime, I have officiated many marriages. But in all these marriages, I noticed one thing. The bride is very early at the hall, waiting for the coming of his bride. But somehow the bride always delayed her coming. I believe it is not purposely, but somehow this was always the case. The bridegroom is always waiting for the bride. From what I understand, there was only one case that the bride was waiting for the bridegroom. And it was in the case of Hudson Taylor's great-grandfather. Hudson Taylor's great-grandfather was a believer. And the one she was to remarry was also a believer. But as young people, they loved the world. They loved dancing. They loved all the things of this world. But on the day of his marriage, when he woke up in the morning, he suddenly realized this was the day of his marriage. And he realized that it was a big thing in his life. So he went to the field to pray. He kept on praying and praying. He forgot the time. So when he finished praying, he suddenly realized it was already the time of his marriage. People were waiting in the church building, wondering what happened to the bridegroom. So he hurriedly went to the church building and got through the marriage ceremony. But in the evening, before they went to bed, he told his newlywed, We have to pray. And he wanted his newlywed wife to kneel down with him. It was such a surprise to the bride, because he wasn't like that before. He was a young man who loved the world. Saved, but barely saved. However, he forced his newlywed to kneel down, and he prayed. But the change, the atmosphere of the new house. He served the Lord with his family. And for four generations, before the birth of Hussain Taylor. Generation after generation, they served the Lord. And we all know that Hussain Taylor served the Lord in China. And after Hussain Taylor, another four generations continued to serve the Lord. I met the third generation back in Chongqing during the war time. I saw he was walking through the streets of Chongqing. Shouting, believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Generation after generation, served the Lord. What a beautiful picture it is. Brothers and sisters, we thank God for Hussain Taylor. Because he was the one who brought the gospel to England, China. How these early missionaries suffered for the gospel's sake. We are forever thankful. But the problem is, we are already in the 21st century. And the Lord seems to have delayed. So my question this morning is, Is the delay rest upon us or upon our Lord? I think the answer is very clear. So far as the Lord is concerned, he is ever ready to come back for his bride. But it is the bride, we, who have delayed his return. Because of his long suffering. He didn't want anyone to perish. He wants us to be saved. And saved to the uttermost. This is the love of God. We mentioned yesterday, that during the first century, the last of the original twelve apostles, John. In his old age, he was exiled to the island of Patmos. Why? For the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus. And there he was shown what the testimony of Jesus is. Briefly, this is what the Lord told John on that island. I'm the first, I'm the last, the living one. That refers to his deity. He was the first and he was the last. In his life itself. But he died. He came to this world and died for our sake. He is now living forever. Holding the keys of death and Hades. In other words, he has conquered. He has conquered the enemy. He is the victorious one. And because he is the victorious one. We who have faith, who believe in him, is also victorious. Because faith is the secret of victory. As we read the last book, the book of Revelation. We find that in the first century, towards the end of it. The church, the condition of the church, generally speaking. Can be seen in the seven churches in Asia Minor. In these seven churches, we find that the risen Lord. Is working, is walking in the midst of them. He was there looking for something. Now what is that something? We find that in Revelation chapter 1. He gave us a full description of himself. Then at the beginning of each letter. He gave apart something of his own description. Then he is looking into this church. So it is evident that he is not just looking. For the general condition of the church. Whether they have something good. Or whether they have something bad. He sees it, he saw it all. But that was not what he was after. To every church, he was looking for himself. We find that to each church. At the beginning of each letter. There is a decoration of himself. It is not a full decoration. It is a part of the decoration of himself. In Revelation chapter 1. Why is it? Because no church, local church. Can contain or testify to the full revelation of Jesus Christ. However, to each church. God has given a part of the revelation of Jesus Christ. And this is what he is looking for. I remember a story. It is written by A.J. Gordon. A.J. Gordon was a pastor of a church in Boston. He loved the Lord. He preached the gospel. He was faithful to the Lord. And one day he dreamed a dream. Before the Sunday meeting. He was sitting on the platform. Ready to give his message. Then he saw the usher. Brought a strange person. Finding a place for the strange person to sit. Somehow the strange person attracted all the attention of A.J. Gordon. He wondered. Who can that person be? While he was preaching. Unconsciously he looked at that person. To see how that person react. He wondered whether that person approved his sermon. Or disapproved. So he decided in his heart. After the meeting was over. He had to meet that strange person. And you know the custom was. For the pastor. After the sermon. He will go to the gate. And greet everyone that is coming out. So he tried to get to the gate. So that he can meet the stranger. But unfortunately. When he got there. The stranger was gone. So he asked the usher. Who is the strange person? And the usher said. Don't you know him? He is Jesus. In other words Jesus came. To that church. And that started A.J. Gordon thinking. Did he approve. My sermon. Did he approve. The wonderful choir we have. Did he approve. The pipe organ. We had. And you know. That dream. Changed A.J. Gordon. A.J. Gordon became one later on. Greatly used. By God. Brothers and sisters. Do you know. Do you believe. That as we are meeting here. This morning. There is a stranger there. He is not a stranger. He is our Lord. The Lord is here. Because he said. Where two or three are gathered together. In my name. There am I. In the midst of them. Do we gather together in his name? Yes. Then. Is not his presence. With us. That may change our whole outlook. Brothers and sisters. Do you sense. The presence of the Lord. When God's people. Come together. Has he not said. Where two or three are gathered together. In my name. There am I. In the midst of them. He is true to his own word. So we sincerely believe. That as we gather here this morning. Our Lord Jesus is here. And what is he looking for. Among us. He is not looking for. A beautiful sermon. He is not looking for. Anything else. Except. He is looking for. Himself. He has revealed himself. To us. To a certain extent. And how did we respond to him. Do we respond to him wholeheartedly. Or do we respond to him. Only halfheartedly. He knows exactly. Where we are. So in the seven churches in Asia. You find he gave. His judgment. To each and everyone. You have something good. You have something bad. But that's not the point. The point is. Do you have me. People in the first century. Who believe in him. They were waiting. For the coming of the Lord. Just as we are. Are they mistaken. No. Because the Lord could return. Anytime. When the bride is ready. He will return. But unfortunately. During the first century. Even though there are some. There were some. Who were really waiting for him. Looking for him. Suffer for him. And yet. The church as a whole. Was not ready. And this happened. Century. After century. When you read the book of Revelation. You find that in chapter seven. The second part. The first part refers to the Jews. Before the coming of the Lord. The Jews. Were returned to their. Native. Place. But then there will be. God will put his seal. Upon. Some of them. That is to say. He will keep them. Through the great tribulation. Then begin with verse seven. In Revelation it tells us. There will be a great crowd. Let's return. To Revelation. Chapter seven. And read it. Begin with verse nine. Revelation chapter seven verse nine. After these things. I saw. And lo a great crowd. Which no one could number. Out of every nation and tribe. And people. And tongues. Standing before the throne. And before the lamb. Clothed with white robes. And palm branches. In their hands. And they say with a loud voice. Saying salvation. To our God. Who sits upon the throne. And to the lamb. And all the angels. Stood around the throne. And the elders. And the four living creatures. And fell before the throne. Upon their faces. And worship God. Saying amen. Blessing. And glory. And wisdom. And thanksgiving. And honor. And power. And strength. To our God. To the ages of ages. We find in that vision. Numberless people. And these people. Clothed in white robes. And palm branches. In their hands. Palm branches always. Represents. Victory. And who. Were these people. Numberless people. Actually this is a revelation. Of the overcomers. Throughout. The centuries. We find that. The Lord didn't come back. In the first century. Then you have. Century after century. In spite of the fact. Of the failure of the church in general. But thank God. In every century. God had his. Overcomers. He had those. Who were faithful. To him. So. In verse. Fourteen. These are. Those. They. Who come out of the great tribulation. And have washed their robes. And have made them white. In the blood. Of the lamb. Now the great tribulation here. Does not refer. To the seven year. Of great tribulation. Or the three and a half year. Of the great tribulation. The great tribulation here. Reverse. That in every age. Every. Century. God's people. Had gone through. Great. Tribulation. In other words. This is. The overcomer. Of the ages. From the second century. Onward. Until. Our time. In spite of the failure. Of the church. God still had. His overcomers. So these are the people. In verse. Fourteen. These are they. Who come out of the great tribulation. And have washed their robes. And have made them white. In the blood. Of the lamb. They were not perfect. But they were people. Who trusted. In the blood. Of the lamb. Whenever the Holy Spirit. Reminded them. Of their sins. Or their faults. They will repent. And they will claim. The washing. Of the blood. Of the lamb. In verse. Fifteen. Fifteen. Therefore are they before the throne of God. And serve him day and night. In his temple. And he that sits upon the throne. Shall spread. His tabernacle. With them. They shall not hunger. Anymore. In other words. For the sake of the Lord. They did hunger. In their lifetime. Neither did they thirst. Anymore. Nor the sun. At all. Full of them. Nor the burning. Heat. In other words. They live their lives. Through many trials. And tribulations. For the sake. Of Christ. And the lambs. Which is in the midst of the throne. They shall lead them. To the fountains of water of life. And God shall wipe away. Every tears. From their eyes. Brothers and sisters. The tears. That were shed. For the sake. Of the gospel. For the sake. Of Christ. God will wipe them. Wipe them. All the way. These are the overcomers. Of the ages. You know when we read church history. What was our reaction? When you read church history. You feel. How the church. Has failed. Again and again. During the centuries. But thank God. Man may fail. But God cannot fail. So here you find. Through all these centuries. In spite of the conditions. Of the church at that time. God had his. Overcomers. Those who are faithful to the Lord. True. Those who are faithful to the Lord. Had to suffer. For the Lord. But they willingly. Bear the cross. And follow the Lord. And these are. The overcomers. Of the ages. Then you turn. To chapter 12. In chapter 12. You can see the overcomers. At the time. Of the coming. Of the Lord. And brothers and sisters. We are. Living. In this hour. John was giving a vision. He saw the vision of a woman. And the woman was clothed with the sun. And the moon. Under her feet. And upon her head. A crown of 12. Stars. That woman represents. The church. At the coming. Of the Lord. She was glorious. Clothed with the sun. In other words. He was God. Belonged to God. And the moon under her feet. The moon here represents the law. The law was under her feet. And. Twelve crowns of twelve stars. Represents the patriarch age. In other words. She was the woman. Of the ages. She represents the church. At the last stage. At the coming. Of the Lord. And she was in travail. The law said. There will be wars. And rumors of war. There will be famine. There will be pestilence. There will be earthquake. But these are the beginning. Of birth pain. In other words. The church has gone through. All these troubles. Throughout the ages. But this was. Looking negatively. If you look at it positively. You find that. This is birth pain. In other words. Through all these tribulations. The church. Was going to give birth. To a man child. And then you have another vision. You have the vision. Of. A dragon. And we know that dragon. Represents Satan. Strangely. The dragon was before that woman. But he was not interested. In the woman. Why? Because the woman. Representing the church in the last age. Has lost. Her testimony. So. Satan was not. Interested in her. But Satan was interested in the woman. Because he knew. What really will affect him. Was what came out. Of the womb. Of that woman. So he was waiting there. For. The child to be born. And he was to swallow him up. Now some people. Think that this belong. This. Belong to Christ. In other words. The woman was to give birth to Christ. There are different interpretations. But here is one interpretation. That I feel. Probably. Is the best. And that is. It is not Christ. Because. When Christ was born. He didn't ascend. To heaven right away. He was on earth. For 33 years. And he was crucified. He was risen from the dead. He spent 40 days. After he was risen. And then. He went back to heaven. So this cannot be Christ. Now who is. This man child. Who is this man child. That the enemy of God. Try to swallow up. This man child. After he was born. Immediately. He was raptured. Where? To the throne. Brothers and sisters. We have some songs. Saying. Concerning the coming of the Lord. But unfortunately. In these songs. They always refer. The trumpet was sounding. And the angels were shouting. And then the dead in Christ will be raised. And those who remain. And living. Will be changed. And they will be all taken. To the air. To meet the Lord. Now that's what we find. In all those. Second coming. Hymns. But strictly speaking. When I say this. I always say. It is too late. Why? Because this refers. To 1 Thessalonians. Chapter 4. But even before that. There was a coming of the Lord. In silence. You know. When our Lord. Returned to heaven. His feet. Began to rise. From Mount Olive. And the disciples. Look at him. Going up. They could see him. Going up. And then the Bible said. A cloud. Took him. It was still going up. But a cloud had taken him. They couldn't see the Lord. But how do we know that he arrived. In heaven. To the throne. Very easy. Because of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit. Came down. When our Lord. Ascended to heaven. He was crowned. Anointed. By his father. God has made him. Lord. And Christ. And as we find. In Psalm 133. The ointment. Fell upon his head. Went to his beard. And came down. To. The skirt. Brothers and sisters. When our Lord. Ascended to the throne. He was crowned by God. As Lord. And Christ. And on the day of Pentecost. The ointment. That was anointed. On his head. Fell down to the beard. And he came down. To the very skirt. Of the dress. So brothers and sisters. We find that the ascending of the Lord. Is in two stages. The first stage. From Mount Olive. To the cloud. Visible. The second stage. From the cloud. To the throne. Invisible. So we have two. Parables. About it. Our Lord's coming. Is like a thief. And brothers and sisters. Has any thief. Come into your house. With. Horn blowing. And say I'm coming. That would be absurd. He always know when you are. Not careful. Not watching. And he will suddenly come. Take your trash. No. Take your treasure. And leave your cash. Trash. And he is gone. Before you know. So we find. The scripture said. He is coming like a thief. The first stage of his coming. Is like a thief. Suddenly. Throughout the whole world. Some Christians. Disappeared. Brothers and sisters. The bible said. Two women. Were grinding. In the morning. One was taken. One was left. Two men was working. Were working. Are working. In the yard. One was taken. One was left. Two were sleeping. On the bed. One were taken. One was left. That is a sign. Of Parousia. That is a sign of his presence. Brothers and sisters. It can happen anytime. It can happen now. Tonight. Or tomorrow. Or sometime afterwards. There is no sign before that. All the signs. Concerning the coming of the lord. Have been fulfilled. There are still some signs. That will happen at the coming of the lord. And after the coming of the lord. That need to be fulfilled. But brothers and sisters. Remember. All the signs. Preceding. The coming of the lord. Had been fulfilled. There is no more sign. We shall be looking for. We shall be looking for. The coming of the lord. Suddenly. Because the earth is round. Some are sleeping. Some are working. Some are in the morning. But it shall come throughout the world. And those who are ready for the lord. Will be taken. This is the main job. They will be taken to the throne. To be the welcoming party. To the coming of the lord. And because. They went through the air. To the throne. The air is where. The headquarter. Of the enemy of god is. That shows they have overcome. The enemy. And because of this. After they arrive. At the throne. There will be war. In the air. Because the air. Of the enemy. He will be thrown. Upon this earth. Why? Because the air. Has to be cleared. For the coming. Of the lord. From the throne. To the air. And where. This happened. On the earth. Because the trio. Of evil. Will be all. On this earth. But thank god. Even this. Is god's mercy and grace. Because. He gave. Those who were not raptured. Before the great tribulation. Was given a chance. To be overcomers. During the great tribulation. They could still be faithful. To the lord. And that we find. In chapter 15. Verse 1 to 3. They overcome. The beast. And they were now. On the crystal city. Singing the song of moses. And of the lamb. Brothers and sisters. Then after that. You have. Chapter. 19. The marriage. Of the lamb. You know. If you read the bible. You will find. At the end of the bible. There will be two. Marriages. Chapter 19. Is the first one. Chapter 21. 22. The second one. What's the difference? In chapter 19. It is the marriage of the lamb. Before the millennium. It begins the millennium. With the marriage. And these. The bride there. As you read carefully. You will find that they are those overcomers. Of the church. Not the whole church. Because those who are not ready. Will be cast. Into outer darkness. And there they will repent. If you do not repent today. One day. You have to repent. Because the lord. Wants to save you. To the uttermost. And then after the millennium. Last rebellion. And after the last judgment. You will find all those. Who are the lord. Whether in the old testament time. Or the new testament time. Will all be gathered together. As the bride. Eternal bride. Of the lamb. And that's eternity. So brothers and sisters. Here we find. In the book of revelation. God has revealed to us. What's going. To happen. On this earth. We are. Living. At the verge. Of his coming. It's a thrilling time. But brothers and sisters. It's an important time. We do not. Cannot afford. To be careless. Anymore. We need to be encouraged. We need to press on. Towards the goal. We need to. Overcome. The enemy. By the blood of the lamb. We are not perfect. But thank God. We have the blood. Of the lamb. And they overcome the enemy. By the word of their testimony. In other words. Because they have the testimony. Of Jesus. In their life. So their word. Is powerful. And they love not their. Life. The life here. Is soul life. They love not. Their soul life. Even unto death. They are willing. To lay down themselves. So that. The life of Christ. May fill them. Brothers and sisters. That's the secret. Of overcoming. So here we are. Brothers and sisters. We are living. In a. Most thrilling time. The Lord can come at any moment. Are you ready? What? If you. Are not ready. But thank God. He who saves. Saves to the uttermost. We thank God. For that. Let's pray. Dear Lord we want to thank thee. For giving us. A view. Of what thou has been doing. Throughout the ages. We thank thee in spite. Of the failure of the church. Thou cannot fail. We thank thee for the overcomers. That thou has called. And made. Throughout the ages. As an encouragement. To us. That we who live in this last age. May press on. Towards the goal. And be ready for thee. At any moment. Oh dear Lord. It is the prayer of our hearts. That thou shall come. And come. Quickly. We ask in thy name. Amen.