With the beginning of January, we have reached the start of another year. One cannot help but ask, Shall we see the end of it? What will happen?

To both these questions, we have to answer "We do not definitely know." James tells us, "Ye know not what shall be on the morrow." Any intelligent person will be aware of the possibility of his sudden, untimely death, and any wise person would not be guilty of the attitude of the rich man in Luke 12 whom God called "a fool."

Then, too, there is the possibility of the Lord's return. Though we are purposely left in ignorance as to the day and hour of this event, there are certain indications that the time is near at hand. One thing for certain, the Lord will fulfill His promise, "I will come again, that where I am there ye may be also" (John 14:3). Nearly 2,000 years have gone by since this promise was made. And "He that shall come, will come and will not tarry" (Heb. 10:37). We are closer to His return than we were last year, yes, closer than yesterday! He is faithful that promised. Therefore, He may come in this new year, or even today!

The believer needs none of the "signs of the times." There seems to be an increasing widespread impression upon the hearts of the children of God that we are on the verge of that great event. The call has gone out, "Behold the Bridegroom!" The Holy Spirit has turned the eyes of the Bride expectingly upward. As the Bright Morning Star, Christ is put before the Bride, and "the Spirit and the Bride say, Come." Taught by her Guide, the true Rebekah anticipates the Bridegroom coming to meet her and receive her to His home, even as Isaac did. He fills the vision in her heart.

Just suppose the Saviour comes in 1981! Does not the thought fill us who believe with unutterable joy? At the close of the last dispensation, certain individuals—Zacharias, Elizabeth and John—were "filled with the Holy Spirit" in anticipation of the event of the long-promised birth of the Messiah. Aged Simeon and Anna were also waiting in the temple for Him to appear, and they were not disappointed when the Baby Jesus was brought to the temple the eighth day. At the close of this dispensation of grace, the church age, individuals are also filled with the Holy Spirit so that their eyes are turned heavenward to be as "men that wait for their Lord" (Luke 12:36). They "love His appearing" (2 Tim. 4:8). Is my reader among those who thus long for His return in order to see Him and be with Him?

If so, the effect on our lives will be apparent in increased zeal for Him and His interests. It will help keep us on our knees in private, seeking help from God that we may be kept true, faithful and obedient to Him, preserved from spiritual stagnation and numbered amongst those who "watch"!

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (1 Peter 4:7).