dwell on this earth, must be like sheep led to the slaughter,
matter how much the blind and foolish longings of the flesh may resist, let us not hesitate to earnestly desire the advent of the Lord, not only in wish but also with fervent sighs, as the most favorable and blessed of all events. He will come as our Redeemer, delivering us from the immense abyss of evil and misery, and leading us to the blessed inheritance of His eternal life and glory.
6. Indeed, it is true. The entire body of believers, as long as they dwell on this earth, must be like sheep led to the slaughter, conforming themselves to Christ, their head (Romans 8:36). Their situation would be most lamentable if they did not, by lifting their hearts to heaven, rise above all that is of this world and transcend the current state of affairs (1 Corinthians 15:19). On the other hand, once they have lifted their gaze above earthly matters, even if they witness the wicked flourishing in wealth and honor, enjoying deep peace, indulging in luxury and splendor, and reveling in all sorts of pleasures, even if they themselves are wickedly attacked, insulted by pride, robbed by greed, or assailed by any other passion, they will bear these afflictions with ease. Their eyes will turn to that day (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17) when the Lord will welcome His faithful servants, wiping away all tears from their eyes, clothing them in garments of glory and joy, satisfying them with the ineffable sweetness of His pleasures, exalting them to share in His greatness, and ultimately granting them a share in His eternal happiness. As for the wicked who may have prospered on earth, they will be cast out in extreme ignominy. Their delights will be transformed into torments, their laughter and joy into wailing and gnashing of teeth, their peace into the torment of conscience, and their luxury into unquenchable fire. The Lord will humble them beneath the feet of the godly, whom they had mistreated and tested. As Paul declares, "it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven" (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7). This, indeed, is our only consolation. Without it, we would either succumb to despair or seek our ruin in the empty solace of the world. The Psalmist confesses, "My feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly
slipped. For I was envious of the boastful when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psalm 73:3-4). He found no refuge until he entered the sanctuary and considered the ultimate fate of the righteous and the wicked. In summary, the triumph of the cross of Christ over the devil, the flesh, sin, and sinners occurs in the hearts of believers only when their eyes are fixed on the power of His resurrection.