glorious, is, because that is the very time wherein the most wicked
honor and glory of the Lord Jesus. The more glorious the body is--
the more it makes for the glory of the head: the more glorious the
bride is--the more it makes for the glory of the bridegroom: for the
glory of his power, wisdom, fullness, and goodness; and therefore
they shall appear glorious.
5. Then, again, they shall appear glorious at the last day, that
there may be some suitableness between the head and the members.
Oh, what an unlovely thing would it be to see the head to be all of
fine gold, and the hands of iron, and the feet of clay! What an
unlovely thing would it be to see the bridegroom in all his glorious
apparel, and the bride in her rags, or her mourning dress! The Lord
will have it so, that his people at last shall appear glorious, that they
may be suitable to their glorious head, unto their precious
bridegroom!
It is true, when Christ came first, he came clothed with flesh, and
was looked upon as one who had no beauty or loveliness, that men
should desire him, Isaiah 53:2-3. And such a state was the church in
to whom he came. Oh! but now when he shall appear "the second
time, without sin, to salvation," then he shall appear glorious; and so
shall all his saints, that there may be a suitableness between the
members and the head, between the bride and bridegroom.
6. And then, again, another reason why believers shall appear
glorious, is, because that is the very time wherein the most wicked
shall justify the goodness and mercy of God in his dealings towards
his own people. Oh, many say with those in Job 21:15, "Who is the
Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying
to him?" It is a strong affirmation that there is no profit. They are
ready to say, when they look upon the sorrows, miseries, and evils
which attend the saints in this wilderness--"Who have so many
miseries, as Christians do? It is madness and folly to live holily as
they live, and to do righteously as they do!" Isaiah 59:15, "Truth is
nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey!" Oh,
the world accounts them a company of crazy, foolish people, who
refrain from evil. But God will have his people at last appear glorious,
that the mouths of ungodly wretches may be stopped, that they may
justify God in his goodness and mercy towards his own people. When
they shall see those who they accounted monsters and fools of the
world, men not worthy to live in the world, when they shall see
crowns set on their heads, and glorious robes put on their backs, oh
how will ungodly men gnash their teeth, and say, "Oh! we thought
them fools and madmen, who thus served God, and walked with God
—but now we see that we ourselves are the only fools, the only mad
ones, who have turned our backs on God, and kicked at God, and
that have said, "It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying
out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord
Almighty?" Malachi 3:14. Therefore the saints shall appear glorious
at the last.