`These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having

seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and

confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth' (Heb.

Here is the paradox of faith.  While those who had this faith actually

died without receiving a fulfilment of the promises made to them and indeed

had a terrible experience of the world's hatred of the spiritual pilgrim,

they not only were `persuaded' concerning them, but actually `embraced' them,

an act which influenced their whole course of life, leading them to confess

that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth with all its consequences.

In like manner, those who `live ... looking' find strength to `live ...

godly' in this present world (Titus 2:12).  In the estimate of some, the

study of prophecy and the occupation of the believer with the teaching and

the hope of the Second Coming of the Lord, have no practical value; that to

`live ... looking' is likely to produce a company of visionaries, who,

because they are so `heavenly' minded are no `earthly' use.  This, however,

is contrary to the whole tenor of Scripture and experience.  When the apostle

would urge the believer to `mortify' his members which are on the earth, he

could find no greater incentive or point to no other source of power than to

urge him to `seek those things which are above' looking to the moment `when

Christ, Who is our life shall appear' (Col. 3:1 -4).  When Paul bemoaned the

lapse of Demas, he put it down to the fact that Demas had `loved this present

world' in contrast with his reference to those who overcome because they have

`loved His appearing' (2 Tim. 4:8 -10).  `To them that look for Him' the Lord

will appear the second time without sin unto salvation (Heb. 9:28).  The idle

servant was the servant who said `My Lord delayeth His coming'.  The servant

who `occupied' did so in the light of that expected return.  The aspects and

phases of this Second Advent may differ according as they are related to one

sphere of blessing or another, but the principle remains constant, unaltered

by dispensational changes.

To return to the word used in Titus 2:13 prosdechomai, here are some of

the ways it is used and translated:

`To wait' for the kingdom, or consolation of Israel or for the Lord

(Mark 15:43; Luke 2:25; 12:36).

`To look for' redemption, promise, hope and mercy (Luke 2:38; Acts

23:21; Titus 2:13; Jude 21).

The word is also translated `receive', `take', `accept' and `allow'.

Literally prosdechomai means `to receive toward', the `looking for' that

blessed hope being a most glorious `anticipation' of that future day.  We can

use the thought expressed by Shakespeare in the words uttered by Lady Macbeth

in an altogether different setting:

`Thy letters have transported me beyond

this ignorant present, and I feel now

the future in the instant'.

The believer who `lives ... looking' feels now the future glory in the midst

of present trial.  It is not enough to believe in the Second Coming, or to

attend meetings which concern themselves with the Second Advent.  It is not

enough to take an interest in Old Testament prophecy, or of New Testament

subdivisions of the coming of the Lord, this `looking for' of Titus 2:13,

indicates a vital personal interest, that affects not only the future when