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Waggoner on the Gospel of John - Ellet J. Waggoner

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could not follow Him. This had filled <strong>the</strong>ir hearts<br />

with sorrow; for <strong>the</strong>y had yielded to <strong>the</strong> powerful<br />

attracti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Jesus, and since He had first said to<br />

<strong>the</strong>m "Follow Me," to be with Him had been <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

joy. Now <strong>the</strong>y felt as children do when <strong>the</strong> loved<br />

and loving mo<strong>the</strong>r is taken from <strong>the</strong>m. They were<br />

in great heaviness <strong>of</strong> heart, and <strong>the</strong>refore Jesus<br />

spoke <strong>the</strong> comforting words that we have just read.<br />

"The glorious appearing <strong>of</strong> our great God and<br />

Saviour Jesus Christ," is <strong>the</strong> "blessed hope" <strong>of</strong> all<br />

His true disciples. (Titus 2:13) It is <strong>the</strong> comfort for<br />

all who mourn loved <strong>on</strong>es who have fallen in<br />

death. The words <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Apostle, direct from <strong>the</strong><br />

Lord Himself, are: "I would not have you to be<br />

ignorant, brethren, c<strong>on</strong>cerning <strong>the</strong>m which are<br />

asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as o<strong>the</strong>rs which<br />

have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and<br />

rose again, even so <strong>the</strong>m also which sleep in Jesus<br />

will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you<br />

by <strong>the</strong> word <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord, that we which are alive<br />

and remain unto <strong>the</strong> coming <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord shall not<br />

prevent [go before] <strong>the</strong>m which are asleep. For <strong>the</strong><br />

Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a<br />

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