y and that soon,
God will judge those who have rejected that Gospel and deal with
them for the sin of all sins which is unbelief (John xvi:9). But our
hearts, beloved in the Lord, must turn more and more to Him and find
their delight in Him, who is the Firstbegotten. And this we shall do
now by meditating on a few Scriptures which tell us of Him. "He is
the _Firstborn_ from the dead" (Col. i:18). "Jesus Christ, who is
the faithful witness, the _Firstbegotten_ of the dead, and the
Prince of the Kings of the earth" (Rev. i:5). What blessed
declarations these are! In the first chapter of Colossians it is
fully revealed who He is, who was dead and who is alive for
evermore. Not a creature but the Creator, the one who images forth
God, because He is God. By Him were all things created, "that are in
heaven, and that are on earth, visible and invisible, thrones or
dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by
Him and for Him." And such a One made peace through the blood of His
cross. Such a One took our place on the cross of shame, tasted death
in our stead and all the billows of wrath and judgment passed over
His holy head. Because He wrought out our redemption it is complete
and perfect. Raised from the dead, not held by death but bursting
forth, leading captivity captive, He is the Firstborn and to Him
belongs all Glory and Power. "But now is Christ risen from the dead,
and become the _Firstfruits_ of them that slept" (1 Cor. xv:20). By
His glorious resurrection He became the Firstfruits. All who believe
in Him will rise too by virtue of being one with Him, who is the
Resurrection and the Life. The mighty power of God which raised Him
from the dead and seated Him in the highest place, at His own right
hand, that exceeding greatness of His power is towards us, who
believe. That power has quickened us with Christ, raised us up
together and seated us in the heavenly. In some future day that
mighty power, which raised Him so that He became the Firstfruits
will raise all the saints to meet Him in the air.

"And again, when He bringeth in the _Firstbegotten_ into the world,
He saith, and let all the angels of God worship Him" (Heb. i:6).

God will bring the Firstbegotten back to this earth again. This is a
very strong passage revealing the second coming of Christ to this
earth. The same blessed Person, who walked on this earth as man, who
is Emanuel, God with us, who died on the cross for our sins, who
be