A QUIET AND HOLY PEOPLE.

 GORDON MACDONALD, in his book, forging a real world faith, shows us a picture put forth by the new Christian Church, in a letter written in the third Century, By St, Cyprian who was writing a letter to a friend named Donatus:
                          this  seems a cheerful world, Donatus, when I view it from this far garden under the shadow of these vines. But, if I climb some great mountain and look over the wide lands, you know very well what I would see;  Brigands on the high road, Pirates on the seas, in the amphitheaters men murdered to please the applauding crowds, under all roofs misery and selfishness. It really is a bad world, Donatus an incredibly bad world.
 Yet, in the midst of it, I have found a "Quiet and Holy people". They have discovered a joy which is a thousand times better then any pleasure of this sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians... and I am one of them. What a compliment! A quiet and Holy people
 Is there any phrase which captures the essence of the faith, any better? A "quiet and Holy people."
Quiet.
 Not obnoxious. Not boastful. Not demanding., Just quiet.
Contagiously Quiet.
 Holy.
 Set apart. Pure. Decent. honest. wholesome.
 Holy. A quiet and holy people.
 Paul urges the same from Us.
"Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those outside, and that you lack nothing.
 A quiet and Holy people, that described the church in the third century in Thessalonica. Does that describe the church today? We should hope so, as the church i leading us towards the day of the coming of the Lord, the day of reconciling, the day of pay-up, the great day of shock for the unbelievers. Listen to Paul as we read: (1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11).
 Paul expressed to the Thesslonians that their lives should remain pure as they watch for the second coming of Jesus. Be pure in all that we do. We are commanded to keep ourselves busy. By doing this we can keep ourselves from evil. An intriguing verse is found in 1 Thesslonians 4:16 ( For the Lord himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, and a loud command with the voice of an angel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the lord in the air, and thus we shall be always with the Lord.
 Have you ever wondered what that command will be?  It will be the inaugural word of Heaven. It will be the first audible message most have heard from God. It will be the word that closes one age and opens a new one. What will the command be? Some say they think the command will be in t and it will put a end to the pains of the earth  and initiates the joy of Heaven two words;" "No More!"
 The King of Kings will raise his pierced hand and proclaim, " No More!"
The angels shall stand and the Father will speak, " No More!"
 Every person who lives and who ever lived will turn toward the sky and hear God announce, "No More!"
 No more loneliness. No more tears. No more death. No more sadness. No more crying. No more pain!  John sat on the island of Patmos surrounded by sea and separated from friends he dreamt of the day God would say: "No More!" I wonder if he heard the voice of Jesus in his memory?
 "The end will come."
 For those who live for this world, that's bad news. But, for those who live for the world to come, its an encouraging promise.
 Remember Jesus Words of assurance:" Those who endure will be saved. The Gospel will be preached. The end will come
       you can count on it!