the same beautiful
expression found in the Gospel of John, where is recorded Jesus' promise,
"I ... will receive you unto myself." It speaks of the peace and joy and
blessedness of those who gladly welcome the coming of the King.

At a question from the disciples as to where such judgment would take
place, our Lord replied that it will be universal; wherever the carcass is
there the vultures will be gathered together; where there is corruption
and sin, there will judgment fall. Yet this judgment will be followed by
the splendor of the Kingdom for which the followers of Christ watch and
pray and labor and wait.

3. The Unrighteous Judge. Ch. 18:1-8

1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought
always to pray, and not to faint; 2 saying, There was in a city a
judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man: 3 and there was a
widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me
of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward
he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5
yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she
wear me out by her continual coming. 6 And the Lord said, Hear
what the unrighteous judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his
elect, that cry to him day and night, and _yet_ he is
longsuffering over them? 8 I say unto you, that he will avenge
them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he
find faith on the earth?

The parable of the Unrighteous Judge was spoken in direct connection with
the instructions given to the disciples by their Master in reference to
his return. It is, therefore, not merely a general exhortation to prayer,
but to prayer for the coming of Christ, and more specifically to the
confident expectation of this event and of the blessedness which will
result.

It does, however, contain a very real encouragement to prayer and for all
Christians and at all times. The argument is this: If an unjust judge, who
has regard for neither God nor man, would yield to the importunity of an
unknown widow because he feared that she would annoy him by her repeated
requests, how much more will a just God be ready to reward the persevering
petitions of his own loved ones who cry to him continually!

In spite of all the mysteries involved, the followers of Christ should
pray without ceasing, and with all importunity should present their
petition