Gathering the Saints

View daily reading plan: Hebrews 10.25; 2 Thessalonians 2.1

These two scriptures refer to the Lord’s people “assembling [or] gathering together”. The particular Greek word used here (episunagoge) is found nowhere else in the New Testament, but it describes two very different situations.

In Hebrews 10 we are exhorted not to be ‘staying away from our meetings’ (as a 1961 translation puts it). Where even a few believers are “gathered together into [the Lord’s] name” He is “in the midst of them” (Matt 18.20). All over the world, many Christians regard this as extremely precious and important, so they come willingly and expectantly to worship and serve Him, to remember Him, to enjoy His presence. His words are, “Gather my saints together unto me: those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice” (Ps 50.5). What a great privilege it is to be there, so let’s not forget to come!

2 Thessalonians 2.1 is about a different gathering, one from which no believer will be absent for any reason. All the saints will be there in uncountable millions, all “caught up together to meet the Lord in the air”, the dead raised and the living changed when He comes for us. What a great prospect that is, so let’s not forget it could happen soon!

'What a gathering of the ransomed that will be!’

Wednesday, 10 April, 2024