Scripture Reading: Rev. 22:12, 16; 2 Pet. 1:19
Ⅰ
"Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me to render to each one as his work is"—Rev. 22:12:
A
The Lord repeats His warning, "I come quickly" (3:11; 22:7), so that we will consider His reward, to be rendered at His coming back.
B
At the Lord's coming, this reward will be rendered to each one of the believers, after their rapture, at the judgment seat of Christ—2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 4:5; Rom. 14:10; Matt. 16:27.
C
The Greek word translated "reward" in Revelation 22:12 means "wages."
D
When the Lord Jesus comes again to possess the kingdom, He will reward or punish all those who belong to Him:
１
Some will receive His punishment because the Lord's word "My reward is with Me" implies that there is not only reward but also punishment.
２
In keeping with this, in Revelation 22:7 the Lord declared, "I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this scroll."
３
He who keeps the words of the prophecy of Revelation is blessed because he will be rewarded.
４
The reward we receive on that day has much to do with our attitude today:
ａ
First Corinthians 3:8 says that we will be rewarded according to our labor.
ｂ
In Matthew 16:27 the Lord Jesus said that at His coming back He will reward us according to our doings.
E
Eternal salvation has nothing to do with our works, but the kingdom reward will be altogether according to our works that we have done by the Lord's life after being saved.
F
Every saved one will be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive the things done through the body according to what he has practiced, whether good or bad; those who practice good will receive a reward, and those who practice evil will receive punishment—2 Cor. 5:10.
G
We will stand before the judgment seat and give the Lord an account concerning all our past living, walk, and conduct; it is because of this that even the apostle Paul says that he dared not examine himself, but He who examined him was the Lord—1 Cor. 4:3-4.
H
The way we serve and work for the Lord after we are saved is a great matter.
I
Paul says, "If anyone's work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward"—3:14.
J
When the Lord comes back, there will be a judgment; in that judgment He will determine whether we will receive a reward or punishment.
K
The reward will be decided by the judgment seat of Christ: "We must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done through the body according to what he has practiced, whether good or bad"—2 Cor. 5:10.
Ⅱ
"We have the prophetic word made more firm, to which you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts"—2 Pet. 1:19:
A
Peter likens the word of prophecy in the Scripture to a lamp shining in a dark place:
１
This indicates that this age is a dark place in the dark night (Rom. 13:12), and all the people of this world are moving and acting in darkness.
２
The prophetic word of the Scripture, as the shining lamp to the believers, conveys spiritual light that shines in their darkness (not merely knowledge in letters for their mental apprehension), guiding them to enter into a bright day, even to pass through the dark night until the day of the Lord's appearing dawns.
３
Before the Lord as the sunlight appears, we need this word as light to shine over our footsteps.
B
The day dawns (2 Pet. 1:19) is a metaphor illustrating a coming time that will be full of light, as a bright day dawning, with the morning star rising, before its dawning, in the hearts of the believers, who are illuminated and enlightened by giving heed to the shining word of prophecy in the Scripture:
１
In the time of apostasy the believers do well to give heed in this matter, that the prophetic word, as a lamp, may shine through the darkness of apostasy until such a day dawns upon them.
２
This will cause and encourage them to earnestly seek the Lord's presence and be watchful so that they will not miss the Lord in the secret part of His coming (parousia), when He will come as a thief.
３
This metaphor must allude to the coming age, the age of the kingdom, as a day that will dawn at the appearing (the coming) of the Lord (v. 16) as the Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2), whose light will shine to break through the gloom of the dark night of this age.
４
Preceding this, in the darkest hour of the night the Lord will appear as the morning star (Rev. 2:28; 22:16) to those who are watchful and looking for His dear appearing (2 Tim. 4:8).
５
They have been enlightened by the shining of the prophetic word, which is able to lead them to the dawning day.
６
If we give heed to the word in the Bible, which shines as a lamp in a dark place, we will have His rising in our hearts to shine in the darkness of apostasy where we are today, before His actual appearing as the morning star.
Ⅲ
"I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright morning star"—Rev. 22:16b:
A
Christ, who is signified by the heavenly luminaries, the lights, is the bright morning star—v. 16b.
B
At His coming back Christ will be the rising sun to His people generally (Mal. 4:2) but the morning star to His watchful lovers particularly.
C
The latter will be a reward to the overcomers: "I will give the morning star"—Rev. 2:28.
D
Christ as the Root and Offspring of David is related to Israel and the kingdom, whereas His being the bright morning star is related to the church and the rapture.
E
The morning star appears before the darkest hour, prior to the dawn.
F
The great tribulation will be this darkest time, after which the day of the kingdom will dawn; this indicates that Christ will appear as the bright morning star in the darkest time, prior to the close of this age.
G
In the kingdom the Lord will appear publicly to His people as the sun, but before the great tribulation He will appear privately to His overcomers as the morning star to rapture them.
H
The bright morning star will appear only to the watchful ones.
I
The slumbering believers will not see the morning star; they will see Christ only as the sun in a general way.
J
The watchful ones will have the priority to taste the freshness of His presence at His coming back after a long absence.
K
The entire Bible concludes with the desire for the Lord's coming expressed as a prayer.
L
John's prayer in Revelation 22:20 is the last prayer in the Bible.
M
"He who testifies these things says, Yes, I come quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"—v. 20.
Morning Nourishment
Rev. 22:12 Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me to render to each one as his work is.Matt. 16:27 For the Son of Man is to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will repay each man according to his doings.
The Greek word translated “reward” in Revelation 22:12 means “wages.” At the Lord’s coming, this reward will be rendered to each one of the believers after their rapture at the judgment seat of Christ.
When He comes again to possess the kingdom, the Lord will reward or punish all those who belong to Him. Some will receive His punishment because the Lord’s word “My reward is with Me” implies that there is not only reward but also punishment. In keeping with this, in Revelation 22:7 the Lord declared, “I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this scroll.” He who keeps the words of the prophecy of Revelation is blessed because he will be rewarded. The reward we receive on that day has much to do with our attitude today. First Corinthians 3:8 says that we will be rewarded according to our labor. In Matthew 16:27 the Lord Jesus said that at His coming back He will reward us according to our doings. Eternal salvation has nothing to do with our works, but the kingdom reward will be altogether according to our works that we have done by the Lord’s life after being saved. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 4451-4452)
Today’s Reading
Every saved one will be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive the things done through the body according to what he has practiced, whether good or bad; those who practice good will receive a reward, and those who practice evil will receive punishment (2 Cor. 5:10)…It is because of this that even the apostle Paul says that he dared not examine himself, but He who examined him was the Lord (1 Cor. 4:3-4; cf. v. 5).As we live on earth, it is not sufficient for us to merely have a conscience without offense; the Lord must still judge the way we serve Him. According to Matthew 25, we may not have received two talents or five, but we have all received at least one talent, at least one spiritual gift, from the Lord. We cannot say that we are not saved, that we do not have the Lord’s life, or that we do not have the Holy Spirit…As a result of our having received these things, we have at least one talent, and we must use this talent properly and gain a profit for the Lord (vv. 14-30).
The Bible shows that after the one who received five talents gained another five talents, the master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful slave…Enter into the joy of your master” (v. 23). The one who received two talents likewise gained another two talents. They both served the master faithfully and used their gifts to the fullest extent. In the same way, when we use the life, the Holy Spirit, and the talent we have received from the Lord, there will be a full result.
We should never think that once we are saved, we will have no problems… Actually, the way we serve and work for the Lord after we are saved is a great matter. In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul says, “Let each man take heed how he builds” (v. 10b). This means that we must all take heed concerning our work. We may build with gold, silver, and precious stones or with wood, grass, and stubble. One day the nature of our work in our service to the Lord will be tested by fire…Only the work that is of gold, silver, and precious stones will remain. Hence, Paul says, “If anyone’s work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward” (v. 14). Apart from salvation, there is also the matter of reward…The matter of salvation has already been resolved, but the matter of reward is an issue that has not yet been resolved. It depends on how we serve the Lord after we are saved. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 4452-4453)
Further Reading: CWWL, 1955, vol. 3, “Reward and Punishment,” chs. 4—6
Morning Nourishment
1 Cor. 3:14 If anyone’s work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward.2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done through the body according to what he has practiced, whether good or bad.
Some think that to suffer loss [in 1 Corinthians 3:15a] is to lose one’s salvation, that is, to perish. The truth, however, is that we will still be saved, “yet so as through fire” (v. 15b)…After we are saved, there are still great issues to take care of. Our conduct is an issue, and our work also is an issue. When the Lord comes back, there will be a judgment. In that judgment He will determine whether we will receive a reward or punishment.
The unbelievers will be judged at the great white throne a thousand years later (Rev. 20:11-15), but the Lord Jesus will judge all His believers at the judgment seat [2 Cor. 5:10]. There, the decision will be made regarding what reward they will receive—the enjoyment in the coming kingdom or some punishment. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 4453-4454)
Today’s Reading
The Bible reveals that the overcomers will reign for a thousand years, but it does not say how long the punishment for believers will last. However, we can still infer that the receiving of punishment will definitely take place during the millennium…In principle, the Lord wants to motivate us to cooperate with Him and to warn us of the loss that we will suffer for not cooperating with Him.The possibility of punishment in the future should keep us on the alert and be a warning to us. We should see that if we do not pay the price to pursue to overcome and to be faithful to work for the Lord after we are saved, we will eventually suffer loss, which will be so severe that we will feel as though we are passing through fire (1 Cor. 3:15). The Bible also reveals that if we habitually commit sins and remain in the enjoyment of sin, we will be salted with fire to purge the germs of sin and evil from us (Mark 9:49). As to where the punishment of fire will take place and what kind of fire it will be, we do not need to investigate. These words concerning reward and punishment are spoken to… those who are pursuing the Lord. We should not speak these words casually to others; rather, we need to first help them to have a hungry and thirsty heart for pursuing. When their heart is stirred up to pursue the Lord, we can speak the words spoken by the Lord on the mountain and in the house (Matt. 5:1; 13:36).
Reward and punishment are determined according to God’s thought and wisdom. This determination in God’s wisdom is mainly to motivate or compel us to cooperate with Him. This is because there is a part in God’s salvation that requires us to put the self aside, forsake everything, and cooperate with Him so that He can work Himself into us. This is a very difficult thing to work out in us; hence, in the economy of God’s grace, reward and punishment were determined according to His wisdom. God uses reward to motivate and attract us to put the self aside and forsake everything; He also uses punishment to compel us to forsake everything and put off all sin and evil. This is the first aspect of God's intention.
The second aspect of God’s intention with reward and punishment is to manifest His righteousness in His children. We should not think that after we are saved, there can be no problem simply because we are God’s children. If this were the case, it would seem as if God’s grace comes to us without a sense of sobriety or righteousness and without any consideration of differentiations in the living and work of God’s children. However, God is not befuddled; His approval is based on a clear and distinct realization of such differentiations. Therefore, God determined to have reward and punishment in the future in order to manifest His sobriety and righteousness in us. (CWWL, 1955, vol. 3, “Reward and Punishment,” pp. 42-43)
Further Reading: CWWL, 1990, vol. 3, “The Prophecy of the Four ’‘Sevens’ in the Bible,” ch. 1
Morning Nourishment
2 Pet. 1:19 And we have the prophetic word made more firm, to which you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.Rom. 13:12 The night is far advanced, and the day has drawn near. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the weapons of light.
Both the apostles’ witness and the prophetic word in the Scriptures are the shining of the truth. This shining is part of the divine provision, the provision God has made by His power so that His elect children may be able to stay away from heresy and apostasy.
[In 2 Peter 1:19], after speaking of his personal experience of the Lord’s glory in His transfiguration [in verses 17 and 18], Peter goes on to use the word of the prophets to confirm his testimony and strengthen it. Peter indicates that the believers do well to give heed to the prophetic word. This means that they were studying the Old Testament prophecies and giving heed to them. (Life-study of 2 Peter, pp. 67-68)
Today’s Reading
Peter likened the word of prophecy in the Scripture to a lamp shining in a dark place. This indicates that this age is a dark place in the dark night (Rom. 13:12) and that all the people of this world are moving and acting in darkness. It also indicates that the prophetic word of the Scripture, as the shining lamp to the believers, conveys spiritual light that shines in their darkness (not merely knowledge in letters for mental apprehension), guiding them to enter into a bright day, even to pass through the dark night until the day of the Lord’s appearing dawns. Before the Lord as the sunlight appears, we need this word as light to shine over our footsteps.Peter says that we do well to give heed to the prophetic word until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts. This also is a metaphor illustrating a coming time that will be full of light, as a bright day dawning, with the morning star rising, before its dawning, in the hearts of the believers, who are illuminated and enlightened by giving heed to the shining word of the prophecy of Scripture…The believers do well to give heed in this matter so that the prophetic word, as a lamp, may shine through the darkness of apostasy until such a day dawns upon them. This will cause and encourage them to earnestly seek the Lord’s presence and be watchful so that they will not miss the Lord in the secret part of His parousia, when He will come as a thief (Matt. 24:27; 2 Thes. 2:8). Hence, this metaphor must allude to the coming age, the age of the kingdom, as a day that will dawn at the appearing (the coming) of the Lord (2 Pet. 1:16) as the Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2), whose light will shine to break through the gloom of the dark night of this age. Preceding this, in the darkest hour of the night, the Lord will appear as the morning star (Rev. 2:28; 22:16) to those who are watchful and looking for His dear appearing (2 Tim. 4:8). They have been enlightened by the shining of the prophetic word, which is able to lead them to the dawning day.
The time that is very close to the Lord’s appearing may be likened to early morning, at which time the Lord Jesus will be the morning star to His watchful believers. Although all of this is true, Peter is saying something even more. Actually, in 2 Peter 1:19 Peter covers two matters at the same time. He is saying that the entire world is a dark place and that this present age is a dark night. If we did not have the prophecies of the Bible, we also would be in darkness, for we would not have a lamp. But the prophetic word is our lamp shining in the darkness. As we give heed to this prophetic word, we receive the shining of the light. Eventually, this light will shine until a spiritual day dawns within us, and a morning star rises in our hearts. Therefore, Peter first is speaking of a spiritual day, a day that dawns within us. He also speaks of a future day, the day of the Lord’s coming back. (Life- study of 2 Peter, pp. 68-69)
Further Reading: Life-study of 2 Peter, msg. 8
Morning Nourishment
Rev. 2:28 And to him I will give the morning star.2 Tim. 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, with which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will recompense me in that day, and not only me but also all those who have loved His appearing.
We love the Word by giving heed to it until something within is dawning and rising in our heart—not the knowledge, not the written code, but the breaking through of day, the rising of the shining star.
Sometimes we may take the Bible, read it, and feel that we receive nothing. Other times, however, when we open our heart and give heed to this prophetic word, something within is shining, rising, dawning, breaking through. While we are pray-reading the verses of the Bible, there is a sense deep within of enlightening, of shining, and this shining creates a love toward the Lord Jesus…We could say, “O Lord Jesus, I love You; I do not have words to express how lovely You are!” Many times by this shining we are beside ourselves with love to the Lord Jesus. That is Jesus coming to us as the dawning day, as the morning star rising in our hearts…Oh, it is wonderful! The situation may not be bright, the surroundings may be full of darkness, but something within is enlightening, shining, filling with glory. (CWWL, 1970, vol. 1, “New Testament Service,” pp. 288-289)
Today’s Reading
In 2 Peter 1:19 Peter is speaking both of a spiritual day and the day of the Lord’s coming. Many times we were in darkness and came to the prophecies in the Bible. As we studied the prophecies, a lamp began to shine within us. Spontaneously, we had the sense that no longer were we in the night but in the day, for a spiritual day had dawned within us…How pleasant it is for the morning star to rise up in our hearts! Although there may be darkness all around us, within us there is a morning star.If we give heed to the prophecies of the Bible, we will experience a lamp shining within us, enjoy the morning star rising in our hearts, and have a spiritual day dawning within us. We may remain in this condition until the actual time comes when the Lord Jesus appears as the morning star and there is the dawning of day with Him as the Sun of righteousness.
Not long after I was saved, I began to read books on prophecy. During the years I was with the Brethren, I heard many messages on the prophecies in Daniel, Revelation, and other books. For more than half a century, my Christian life has been enlightened by these prophecies. Through Watchman Nee I became familiar with the writings of Pember, Govett, and Panton on prophecy. I can testify that the knowledge of these prophecies has helped to enlighten me. Although great changes have taken place in the world during the past fifty years, I have not been surprised, because of the light from the prophetic word in the Bible. I can also testify that, according to Peter’s word, I enjoy the morning star and the inward dawning of a spiritual day.
Outwardly, we live in an age of darkness, but inwardly, we are full of light. We may continue to enjoy the morning star and the dawning of a spiritual day until the time the Lord appears as the morning star to the watchful ones and dawns as the Sun of righteousness.
In these verses Peter seems to be saying, “Brothers, as Jewish believers, you have much knowledge of the prophecies in the Old Testament, and you have heard our testimony concerning the Lord’s coming. Now some heretics are trying to tell you that this is a superstition, that it is a tale, myth, or legend. Don’t listen to them, and don’t accept heretical teachings. You have our testimony, and you have the prophetic word shining within you. This prophetic word should shine within you until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (Life-study of 2 Peter, pp. 69-71)
Further Reading: CWWL, 1970, vol. 1, “New Testament Service,” ch. 6
Morning Nourishment
Rev. 22:16 I Jesus have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright morning star.Mal. 4:2 But unto you who fear My name will the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings, and you will go forth and leap about like well-fed calves.
In His coming back Christ will be the morning star to the overcomers (Rev. 22:16). In Revelation 2:28 He gives a promise to the overcomer, saying, “To him I will give the morning star.” At Christ's first appearing the wise men, not the Jewish religionists, saw His star (Matt. 2:2, 9-10). At His second appearing He will be the morning star as a reward to His overcomers who watch for His coming. To all others He will appear only as the sun (Mal. 4:2)… The appearing of the morning star is secret, but the appearing of the sun is open. The Lord promised that if we are watchful and wait for His coming, He will appear to us as the morning star for a reward.
Christ as the Root and Offspring of David [Rev. 22:16] is related to Israel and the kingdom, whereas His being the bright morning star is related to the church and the rapture. The morning star appears before the darkest hour, prior to dawn. The great tribulation will be this darkest hour, after which the day of the kingdom will dawn. In the kingdom the Lord will appear publicly to His people as the sun, but before the great tribulation He will appear privately to His overcomers as the morning star. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 350-351)
Today’s Reading
In Revelation 22:12 the Lord Jesus said, “Behold, I come quickly.” In verse 20 the Lord also said, “Yes, I come quickly.” Our loving response should be, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (v. 20; 2 Tim. 4:8)…We should always call for His coming…We must tell the Lord, “Lord Jesus, I love You, and I love Your appearing. Because I love You, I love Your appearing.”In their hearts the apostles firmly believed that the Lord would come quickly and that they also lived a life in preparation for the Lord’s second coming. This is like the situation in which some long-separated relatives are soon to return. The entire family is prepared to welcome them. It is also like a girl waiting to be married, who knows of the wedding day and who is waiting wholeheartedly for that day to arrive. Paul was one who had such an attitude…We can see this by reading 1 Thessalonians. This book has five chapters, each of which concludes with the Lord's coming back. This indicates that Paul was one who loved the Lord’s appearing (2 Tim. 4:8). Taking Paul as our pattern, we should love the Lord’s appearing.
Since we love the Lord’s appearing, we should earnestly wait for His coming (Phil. 3:20; 1 Thes. 1:10). Hence, our future is with Him. Our living should indicate that we have no other hope on earth. Our hope is in the coming Lord. He is our eternal destiny. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul says, “Brothers, the time is shortened. Henceforth both those who have wives should be as though they had none, and those who weep as though they did not weep, and those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, and those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use the world as though they did not abuse it; for the fashion of this world is passing away” (vv. 29-31). Christ is our real hope.
While waiting for the Lord’s return, we should learn to fear Him. In Luke 12 the Lord gave a parable concerning a rich man who endeavored to lay up wealth for himself so that his soul might enjoy itself and be merry. But God said to him, “Foolish one, this night they are requiring your soul from you” (v. 20). Every “today” that we have is truly the Lord’s grace. Therefore, as long as we have today, as long as we still have breath, we should love the Lord and His appearing, await the Lord’s coming (Phil. 3:20), and always take His coming as an encouragement. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 4448-4449)
Further Reading: The Conclusion of the New Testament, msgs. 32, 411, 435
Morning Nourishment
Rev. 22:7 And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this scroll.20 He who testifies these things says, Yes, I come quickly. Amen. Come ,
Lord Jesus!
The first part of Revelation 22:20 is the Lord's third warning that He is coming quickly. The last part is the apostle John’s prayer and response to the Lord’s warning. It is also the last prayer in the Bible. After reading this book, we should have such a prayer and response —”Come, Lord Jesus!”…The whole Bible is concluded with the desire for the Lord’s coming expressed as a prayer. (Life-study of Revelation, p. 751)
Today’s Reading
[Second Timothy 4:1] is an exhortation from Paul immediately before his martyrdom. He says that he had fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith, and that at the judgment seat he would be awarded the crown of righteousness, which would be awarded to all those who have loved His appearing (vv. 6-8). He reminded Timothy that by the Lord’s judgment and kingdom we should have a living that loves the Lord’s appearing. This is also a reminder to us, and this will cause us not to be discouraged, not to backslide, and not to become weak but to remain faithful to the end.At the end of the first century, the Lord said, “Behold, I come quickly,” (Rev. 22:12) so that we would consider His reward to be rendered at His coming back. This is the Lord’s warning…We should not think that because the Lord has been tolerating the situation for more than nineteen centuries, He is slow to come back. We need to look at the world situation today. We do not know what will happen within the next few days. In this age things happen very quickly. Therefore, we must pray and be watchful. We must also be prepared in spirit and in our daily life. May the Lord cover us so that we may be a watchful, praying, and prepared people.
The Lord has still not come, because He does not yet have what He desires. He is after a Body to express Him and a dear bride to satisfy His heart. When the Lord said that He would come soon, He spoke according to His sense of time, not according to ours. The point here is that God is working slowly to dispense Himself into us. We need to see that the quicker our life matures, the sooner the Lord will return.
When the Lord Jesus comes back, He will not only judge the negative things but also receive His bride. This means that He will come both as the Judge and as the Bridegroom…For the Lord to come as the Bridegroom, the bride must be prepared for Him…Because the bride is not yet ready, we may say that it is possible that the Lord’s coming will not be as soon as some expect.
The principle here is that the higher the life is, the slower it grows…The bride must be prepared for the Bridegroom, and this preparation is through the growth in life, a growth that requires time. Instead of blaming the Lord for delaying His coming, we should be diligent to prepare ourselves to meet Him. We should also minister life to others so that they may grow and be prepared.
Only the lazy, idle servant says, “My master delays” (Matt. 24:48b). The Lord, however, is hastening His coming, and it will not be long before the church age is ended. We must see that the church is the Body of Christ…The Lord has not yet returned, because the Body has not yet been manifested on the earth.
The reality of living in the Body of Christ is the divine fellowship. The Lord has been frustrated throughout the centuries because of the lack of fellowship. The Lord has not come back because the believers are individualistic, independent, opinionated, and divisive…There must be a remnant that will respond to the Lord’s heart and be willing to lose their individualism in order to be built up together as one Body. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 4449-4451)
Further Reading: CWWL, 1990, vol. 3, “The Vision of the Divine Dispensing and Guidelines for the Practice of the New Way,” ch. 4