The Glorious Conqueror
Christ has forever overcome all His foes, and divided the spoil upon the battle-field, and now, even at this day, is He enjoying the well-earned reward of His fearful struggle.
Lift up your eyes to the battlements of Heaven— the great metropolis of God. The pearly gates are wide open, and the city shines with her jeweled walls like a bride adorned for her husband.
Do you see the angels crowding to the battlements? At last there is heard the Song of a trumpet, and the angels hurry to the gates— the army of the redeemed. “The church of the first-born” is approaching the city. Hark to the shout of acclamation! “Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints.” Hearken to them as they enter.
Every one of them waving his helmet in the air, cries, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His bloody unto Him be honor, and glory, and dominion, and power, for ever and ever.”
Mark the heroes as they march along the golden streets, everywhere meeting an enthusiastic welcome from the angels who have kept their first estate. On, on they pour, those countless legions—was there ever such a spectacle? For four thousand years streams on the army of Christ’s redeemed.
But see! He comes. I see his immediate herald, clad in a garment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about His loins. The Prince of the house of David is not far behind. Let every eye be open. He comes! He comes! He comes! It is Christ Himself! Lash the snow-white coursers up the everlasting hills; “Lift up your heads, O, ye gates, and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, that the King of Glory may come in.” See, He enters in the midst of acclamations.
It is He! but He is not crowned with thorns. It is He! but though His hands wear the scar, they are stained with blood no longer. His eyes are as a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns, and He hath on His vesture and on His thigh written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Clothed in a vesture dipped in blood, He stands confessed the emperor of heaven and earth.—SPURGEON.
