Three parallel passages in the gospels (Matt. 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21) present a prophetic picture, as it were, foreshadowing the lot of the church, in a hostile world until Christ comes again.

      The Lord Jesus had fed the 5,000, and had sent His disciples ahead across the lake of Galilee. In each account there is the intimation that Jesus had promised to come to them--though, how the disciples could not have known, for there was no other boat than the one in which they set out (John 6:22). However, that they did expect Him to come to them is clearly implied in Matt. 14:2 and Mark 6:45; and in John 6:17 we read that "it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them." Where was He? Well, after dismissing the multitude, whom He had fed, and after sending the disciples "to go before Him to the other side," He "went up into the mountain apart to pray." The disciples in the meanwhile were rowing hard against a contrary wind. ("The sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew." John 6:18). About the fourth watch of the night, from His high place, the Lord saw them battling, "distressed by the waves" and "distressed in rowing," and He came unto them walking on the sea. How they were troubled when they first saw Him, and how their fear was turned into joy and peace for them ("be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid") and how His advent brought them instant relief and release from their distress and hard labor, is related in Mark 6:51 and John 6:21.

      It is so today, and so it has been through all the long years of the church's history. Evermore she has had to battle against a hard wind, and her progress has been painful and slow. In the meanwhile, her Lord has been absent, on High, praying--praying for them. The first watch of the night (6 to 9) passed thus; the second watch (9 to 12) also, then the third (12 to 3). But in the fourth watch the Lord took knowledge of their toil and distress, and came to them, in a way most unexpected and wonderful. Thus He speaks to us also: "Watch, therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even (which is the first watch of the night), or at midnight (the second watch); or at cockcrowing (the third); or in the morning (the morning watch, from 3 to 6); lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, say unto all, Watch." (Mark 13:35-37.)

      The night has been long--so long; and the rowing has been difficult. Surely we are in the fourth watch. If the signs mean anything to us, surely the coming of the Lord is at hand. [61]

      The writer of a poem, which appeared reprinted in a little magazine (The "Prairie Overcomer") has caught the vision, in the following beautiful words:

[CTOP 61-62]