Revelation 5 — F.J. Huegel

We bless and adore Thee this morning, Gracious Father, so grateful because Thou art our sufficiency, because we have in Christ Jesus our Lord, an omnipotent Savior. And that Thou dost tell us that we are complete in Him, one with Him, in death and in resurrection.

O how we pray that Thou wouldst minister to our needy souls this morning, that we shall be built up in our most holy faith, so that we might, in obedience to Thy voice, bring glory and honor to Thy name this day and the days to come.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen. You will recall how that we have been looking just a bit, only three studies, very brief, into some of the mysteries that we find in the book of Revelation, the glories.

Christ Revealed to John in Revelation

In our first study it was the risen Christ revealing Himself, according to His promise, to the beloved disciple there on the Isle of Patlas, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I am He that liveth and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.

Amen. And have the keys of hell and of death. John, the Apostle, falling at the Savior's feet as one dead. And he's saying, fear not, write. And then yesterday, you will recall how we were scanning in a very light manner, perhaps, because it was not possible to enter into details, these seven epistles to the churches of Asia Minor, dictated by the Savior Himself, through John and through John, to the churches.

The Promises Given to Those Who Overcome

Seven, the churches, the perfect number of all the ages. Closing each letter, you will recall, with a challenge that we might walk in victory for all these riches, these glories are for the victorious Christian.

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it.

And he that overcometh and keepeth my words unto the end, to him will I give power over the nation. I will give him the morning star. He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but will confess his name before my Father and the angels, his angels.

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and have sat down with my Father in his throne.

And then finally you will recall, summing it all up, the Savior says, he that overcometh shall inherit all things, and he shall be my son, and I will be his God. Now, this morning, leaving these letters to the churches of Asia Minor, we turn to the fifth chapter, where John speaks of that symbolic book in which it seems the judgments of God were to be found.

The Sealed Book and the Worthy One

A book written within, as the apostle tells us, and on the backside sealed with seven seals. A strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice and saying, Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?

And no man, naturally. No man in heaven nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And John tells us that he wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

And one of the elders, John tells us here, speaks to him saying, Weep not. Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof.

And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, the living creatures, as in other versions, and in the midst of the elders stood a lamb as it had been slain. Weep not. Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah.

And John lifts his gaze heavenward to the throne, and in the throne a lamb, a lamb as it had been slain. Now, how are we to interpret this? Perhaps I've spoken to you of this on some other occasion, but it's so very meaningful.

And so let us meditate afresh upon this word, the lion lamb. Of course, it is a symbolic language. For our Savior is neither a lamb, much less, of course, a lion. But in his humility, his tenderness, his compassion, he is like unto a lamb.

And in his courage, his valor, his strength, like unto a lion. This that we have here we know is a metaphor. In the metaphor, the likeness is something implied. I beheld in the midst of the throne a lamb as it had been slain.

Now, had the apostle said, I beheld one like unto, it would be a simile. In the simile, the likeness is declared. No, our Savior is not a lamb, nor is he a lion. He is the Son of God, sustaining all things by the word of his power, the second person of the blessed Trinity by whom all things were made.

But how lamb-like, and how lion-like. But how could our Savior have been like unto a lamb, and at the same time like unto a lion? If a lion, not a lamb. If a lamb, not a lion. These are opposite poles, are they not?

Well, this would be true were the Savior a man and nothing more. Men are small of stature. They are not able to incorporate in their manner their life characteristics, seemingly contradictory, so removed the one from the other.

It is often the case that for a man, if he has one virtue, others lacking, this virtue becomes a disagreeable thing. I recall a lawyer I knew years ago, a Christian lawyer. There in the old hometown, quite well-known because of his sense of justice, teacher of the men's class of the Sunday school.

But oh, how very dry and how cold. It was well-known in the community that his favorite pastime was to sit at the front door with a pail of stones so as to pelt every dog that went by. Peculiar thing.

Yes, very just, but oh, how wanting in bowels of compassion as the apostle speaks. I say a man is so small of stature that if he has one virtue and the others be wanting, it's not an agreeable picture.

Ah, but when we turn to the Savior, the Son of Man, here is one so great, God manifest in the flesh, one who is able to incorporate in his manner, his being, his life, his walk, all the virtues, all those characteristics which should be found in a perfect man.

We speak of him in the Spanish as the prototipo de una humanidad perfecta, the great archetype of perfect manhood. And the wonder of it all is that here in this one, these characteristics are in such relation, one with another, that for all the ages we have in Jesus a revelation not only of God, but of perfect manhood.

Ah, he could be so just. He could be so holy. And how difficult for men, for if they are just and holy, they are so prone to look in a condescending fashion upon those who are less fortunate. Ah, so holy, so just a Savior, and yet never wanting in the spirit of compassion and humility.

How very meek, but never weak. I say, here we have all the virtues, and it's a perfect combination, a perfect balance. And we know that there will never appear one more lovely than Jesus, that for all the ages should our Lord tarry.

Christ’s Lionhood and Lambhood in the Gospels

Ah, questions of conduct and of ethics will have to be brought to this one, to be tested, to be judged. Yes, he could be a lion, and at the same time a lad. Now let's look upon him very briefly. In his lionhood nature, as he was before the Pharisees, ah, these men that made long prayers and devoured widows' houses, ye generation of vipers, how shall you escape the condemnation?

And as he entered the temple with a scourge, to cast out those who had made his father's house a den of thieves, how terrible he was. Yes, and how wonderful. There are those who feel that this really ought to be toned down a bit.

Ah, how mistaken they are. It's always perfection in Jesus. You'll recall there was a moment when these two poles seemed to come together and blend at one particular point. It was when the Pharisees brought the one that they had taken in sin to present her to the Savior.

Ah, it was a trap, for they were thinking, now if he forgives, what about the law of Moses, which demands a stoning? What will the people say if he did not forgive? He pretends to be Savior. I say it was a trap.

And of course the Lord understood. We read that he stooped right in the sand, in the dust, as the Pharisees accused. And then we see him rising to face these hypocrites, saying, he that is without sin, let him first cast the sword.

Why, it was like a bomb exploding in their face. As the lion of the tribe of Judah spoke to them. And then we have him as a lamb. Where are thine accusers, no man has condemned thee. No, Lord, neither do I.

Peace. This that we are considering, the lie and hood nature of Christ, you will recall, comes to its sublimest expression. Though you not want to think so, there on Calvary, we think of him only in the terms of his lambhood nature.

No. There the lion of the tribe of Judah faced the prince of darkness, through death destroyed him, stripped him of his authority, destroyed him who had the power of death. That is to say, the devil. But we delight rather, do we not, though perhaps there should be no preferences in the matter, delight to think of the Savior in the terms of his lambhood nature.

So very mild, so tender, so meek, so compassionate. And, of course, this explains the reason why societies offscouring the lepers, the blind, the lame, were so at home in his presence, drawn by the Redeemer's love.

And how meek in his manner of teaching he might well have clothed his word with eloquent phrases, difficult to understand, as often perhaps we preachers are wont to do. But no. Oh, he was eager that all, even the most illiterate, might understand the mysteries of the kingdom, and so he spoke of the kingdom in the terms all could understand.

The lily of the valley, the sheep that had gone astray, the coin that was lost, the son who had strayed from home. How very, very simple. How very wonderful it all was and is. And oh, on that occasion, when there before these and his disciples, and Judas was still present, the Savior stooped so low that taking a basin and water and girding himself with a towel to wash, the disciples' feet.

And here again, friends, it comes, as we said a moment ago, to its sublimest expression in the cross. Taken as a lamb to the slaughter, and we know why, bearing in his body on the tree our sins, he opened not his mouth, as the prophet said so many years prior to his.

Conformed to the Image of Christ

But what is to be the practical application of all this? You know how teachers of homiletics are wont to say that the sermon begins where the application begins. Well, if that be true, our sermon hasn't yet begun.

How are we going to apply this, our friends? Very simple and clear, is it not? For we have been called, we have been predestinated, Paul says, to be conformed to the image of the Son of God, Christ within the hope of glory.

Ah, you will recall how Paul groaned. Travailing until Christ should be formed, as he wrote to the Galatian Christians, formed in them, yes, so that they might show forth his praises, so that they might walk as he walked.

Yes, we are called upon, in communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, to manifest the same spirit, the same manner, the same characteristics. We are to be lions, if the occasion demands it. And, oh, how many occasions demand of us an expression of the lambhood nature of Christ.

I wonder if we're not entering upon a period in the history of the world when Christians are going to be tested. And, oh, if there's wanting this lionhood nature, something of the spirit of the lion of the tribe of Judah, will they be able to face the music?

How Christians are being tested today. I was speaking with a Cuban brother who just came out of Cuba, and he told me how that there were those in Cuba, Christians, who couldn't take it, and who were constantly trimming their sails, setting their sails of their frail bark, according to the whims of communism.

And there were others, resolved to take it, let the cost be what it might be. Our dear brother, Watchman Nee, over in China, how many years now? Some 15 years in prison? There were those who gave way.

Ah, but there were those too, who, like our dear brother, sharing with their Lord something of his lionhood nature, were resolved to pay the price, and stand up against this monster in defiant fashion, that Christ might be glorified.

How we err, my dear brethren, in thinking that it's only the passive virtues, meekness, patience, compassion, which are to adorn the Christian walk. No, no, also these aggressive virtues. I had the privilege of speaking in Mexico City some time ago, with Pastor Nee Miller of Germany.

You will recall the story, how that in the days of Hitler, he was called before the Fuhrer, who demanded of him, saying, Nee Miller, you were a soldier, were you not? He had been in World War I, a commander of a submarine, yes?

My Fuhrer. Soldiers obey orders. Yes, my Fuhrer. You know what my orders are as to the Church. He became a pastor after World War I. No, my Fuhrer, there alone, Jesus Christ has the right to command. The Fuhrer would have had him slain on the spot, but he feared him.

He feared the people, who looked upon him as one of the heroes of World War I, but he was thrown into prison. I said to the pastor, I referred to you the other day in a sermon, and I said that you had been five years in prison, though it was eight.

Ah yes, friends, the lionhood nature of Christ. Else we might, under certain circumstances, deny our Lord. But we know, of course, that it is rather the lambhood nature, ah yes, the spirit of the meek and lonely one, which must characterize us.

The Lambhood Nature in Christian Suffering

For offenses come, and they come daily, which demand of us this same spirit, spirit of forgiveness, spirit of humility, spirit of compassion. Our boy not long ago brought a book into the home written by the chaplain of Princeton University, one Davis, with the title, The Bridge of the River Kwai.

It's the story of the sufferings of British officers after their defeat. You will recall that in the early days of the war, World War II, Japan seemed to be taking over in all parts of the Far East. I say in this book, Davis tells the story.

There were prisoners in a concentration camp alongside a river. The story of their sufferings, they were slaves, building a bridge. The abuses of the Japanese overlords, their hunger, how the disease and suffering and misery had taken them down so very low.

The writer says that they lost all resemblance to men. They had become beasts. He said they would snarl one at the other, showing their teeth like beasts over a crumb of what misery will do to man. Until one day they came into the camp.

It was for officers, but this one happened to be a British, um, well, we say here, no boy, don't we, a British soldier. They called him Dusty. Don't know why, but they observed at once something very different than Dusty.

He took it upon himself to be the servant of these officers. Day by day, bringing water to wash their wounds. They were all suffering from ulcer. It seemed that Dusty was not aware of the circumstances, the misery, always delighting in service, the service of these officers.

And one day, Captain Davis, Dusty approached him again with a basin of water to wash his wounds. Said to him, but Dusty, what does this mean? Ah, the reply was, I learned to love Jesus at my mother's knees.

The manhood nature of Christ, there in the midst of circumstance, so contrary to happiness. And the captain goes on to say that little by little, things began to change in the camp that they went to search for their Bibles.

They had them. How they formed a class for the study of the word and how it spread to other camps and all changed because of Dusty. The lambhood nature of Christ revealed in him. And even to the very end, because the day came when Dusty having disappeared, the captain turned to a companion and said, what's happened to Dusty?

Captain, they nailed him to a tree. Something Dusty couldn't take, revealing the lionhood nature of Christ. Some order from Japanese overlords that clash with his Christian conviction. He's saying no.

They nailed him. Yes, dear ones, we are called upon to share the sufferings of Christ, to participate in his glory. The Holy Spirit draws us deep into the wounded side of our crucified, risen, ascended Lord, that we might be one with him in death and in resurrection, revealing, should the circumstances require it, something of the lionhood nature of Christ.

Resisting the Devil Through Christ’s Victory

And you know, friends, we've always got to be lions in relation with the prince of this world. Always. No compassion there. Absolutely resolute. Resist the devil and he will flee. The lion of the tribe of Judah there on Calvary's cross stripped him of his authority.

He's a defeated foe. We're not to take anything from that source, brethren. I wonder if I may tell you of an experience I had some years ago in Costa Rica. You know, there's a language school in Costa Rica for missionary trainees.

It was their religious emphasis week. After a message, one of the young men called me and he said, won't you come to the house for dinner with us? Yes. After dinner, his wife there and his little ones, they weren't all little, I say after dinner, this dear one now in Argentina, David, David McHugh, he said, what am I to do?

You know that rocks rain down on the roof here and come down into the yard where my children play and they're as big as your fist. He showed me one of the rocks. Now, I don't know. I'm simply going to state it to you just as it took place.

You know, if we look into the book of Job, what the enemy is capable of. Well, I said, Dave, I don't know, but it looks to me like the enemy's trying to frighten you before you ever get to Argentina. I think the enemy's behind this.

I don't know, but let's take a stand against the enemy, Dave. He admitted to me that he didn't understand that sort of thing. Too bad, isn't it? Missionaries go to the field. They know nothing about that sort of thing.

And yet it was for this very purpose that the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Well, I said, David, I opened up to him the word a bit, passages such as that which we have in Colossians 2 where the apostle says that the Savior spoiled principalities and powers and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it, the cross.

I said, Dave, will you say amen to my prayer? He said, I can do that. He and his wife. Very simple little prayer, but not the kind that we ordinarily offer, the kind that springs from the lionhood, nature of the Christian.

Very simple little prayer of authority. There is such thing as the command of faith, you know. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, of course, and on the ground of Calvary, it was a simple command to the enemy to take hands off his home and flee.

Well, David said amen. His wife said amen. Then they said, well, you know, we feel better. Yes, fear is gone. Two or three days later, I was preaching at a downtown church there in San Jose, and in marched the whole family, all smiles.

The little ones came forward and they seemed to want to sit alongside me. And after the service, David said, there hasn't been a rock since. Praise the Lord. Then on Sunday evening, there they were again, the whole family, all smiles.

There hadn't been a rock since. And the good wife said to me, do you think I could write this and tell the Pope back home? Well, I said, you may, but it sounded rather strange to them. A year later, I met David down in Buenos Aires.

We worked together a bit. He reached his goal, but the enemy tried to stop him. No, we're never to be lambs before the enemy. Be ridiculous, wouldn't it? No. Well, I am with nature in relation with Christians, our fellow man.

Showing Christ’s Lambhood Toward Others

Offenses. Well, you know, sometimes just think down in Mexico City here, not so long ago, a general. Of course, a man drove in ahead of him. On the side street, there was no accident, but he just drove right in ahead of the general.

And he stepped on the gas and came alongside and pulled his revolver and settled the matter right then and there. Dare you pull in ahead of a Mexican general in that fashion. Well, sometimes on the road, we kind of feel, shall I say, just a little bit funny, don't we?

Yes, yes, we do. Right straight through the day. Occasions that call for a manifestation of the lambhood nature of Christ. And if this is wanting, do you know what I read sometime back that over in India, a veteran missionary speaking to one who was just coming to the field, he said, above all things, don't ever show temper, anger.

Of course, there is a place, we know, be angry, sin not, but that's another story. Because among the Indian people, even among the unconverted, this is looked upon as an unpardonable, yes, we are predestinated to become conformed to the image of the Son of God.

To walk even as he walked, to show forth his praises. That is to say, something of his lionhood nature depends on circumstances, and I think we get things mixed up sometimes, and we're lions when we should be lambs, and lions when we should be lions.

According to circumstances, showing forth, and it's got to be worked into us, it's a long process, and by the Holy Spirit, over the years, lionhood nature, and lambhood nature of Christ. Holy Father, we're so thankful that we have in thy blessed Son that perfect pattern, and in the whole pattern we know there isn't a single stitch out of place.

How wonderful, Father, that we do have in Jesus not only a revelation of thy glory, but of the glory of perfect manhood. And we're so thankful, Father, for the Holy Spirit dwells within, to work into us something of the lionhood nature of Christ, and also his lambhood spirit.

We are in thy good hands, Father, bring it to pass, for the praise of thy name, and for the furtherance of thy wondrous cause of redemption, through Christ our Lord. Amen. I feel that I owe my good brother Ainton an apology.

I tried to let him down in your presence. I did tell him I'd say a word, but I misunderstood. I thought it to be later, and I really wasn't ready. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you all.

You've all been very gracious. I know you've been praying for Miss Hagel and for me. I had a wonderful rest, a night of rest last night, and I've been so happy today with my brethren. So many thanks for all your kindnesses, my good hosts and hostesses, we had such fun together.

And now with me, we'll have just a moment in silence. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Amen. I felt, friends, that the conference should not come to a close without a word along the line of Christian mission.

The Great Commission and Christ’s Authority

So this afternoon, our theme will be the marching order of the Church, or if you prefer, as it is often stated, the Great Commission. And we have our Savior and our Lord saying, as it is in the 28th chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, in the closing verses, all power is given unto me, all authority as in other versions.

I've been told it's a little more faithful rendering of the Greek authority, all authority. He had power from the beginning for all things were made by him. But this particular kind of authority to which he refers here had to be rested on legal ground in the fulfillment of the demands of the law, demands the death of the sinner, which was fulfilled there on Calvary.

I say this authority had to be rested from the hands of the evil one, for we are told that to death he had destroyed or put to naught is the thought and the greed. Him who had the power of death meant to save the devil.

Now, it's on this ground, rather, it's in the light of this Greek fact. Missionaries here, I want you to forget this. All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore. We really go to enforce the throne rights of our king in so many areas where the prince of this world still holds sway, though he has been stripped of his authority.

To enforce the throne rights of our king, we say to the prince of this world, no, I'm here in the name of Jesus. You must give way. All authority has been given unto him in his holy name. I stand here to take the ground.

Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things. Whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you.

You see, the command is sort of sandwiched in, is it not, in beautiful fashion. There it is, between these two astounding declarations. All authority has been given unto me. And lo, I am with you. And in between.

There it is. Isn't that blessed? And lo, I am with you always. Even unto the end of the world. Amen. I've spoken of this promise as the greatest and all-holy writ. For the reason that we do not have here the promise of some great blessing or some gift, rather the presence of the blesser, the presence of the gift, thanks be to God, the Apostle wrote, for His unspeakable gift, the presence of Him, who is the fountainhead of all our spiritual gifts.

Sufficiency in Christ and the Conditional Promises of God

Having Him, we have all things. Is it not written, My God shall supply all you need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus? Are we not told that all things are ours because we are Christ's? Do we not read that we are complete in Him?

Is it not written that we are more than conquered through Him who loved us? Yes. Having Him, we have all things. I rather like the way Washman Mead proceeds this great Chinese pastor. He tells about a visit he made with a Christian family up in the state of Iowa.

In former years, he'd been in prison many years. He traveled in the USA. And as he came into the home, the brother and sister said, Old Pastor, we're so glad you've come. We need your prayers. Pray that the Lord might give patience, give me patience, and my wife.

We've had little difficulties. No, I can't do that. But Pastor, we need your prayers. No, I can't pray that. Well, why not that? Well, the Lord isn't passing out these things as you pass out candy. You have it all in Christ, but you haven't known how to appropriate what is yours.

You have it in Christ. We are complete in Him. And apart from Christ, watchman, he is right. The Lord isn't passing out these things as you pass out candy. You might glory in them. There's a glory in your Savior in whom you are complete.

But this promise is conditional. As are all the promises of Holy Writ. All the promises of God are in Christ Jesus. But they're all conditional. Even in the Old Testament you will recall the condition being the fulfillment of the law, obedience.

And in the New, well, it's faith. Believe there is the condition on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. This is a conditional promise. It seems to hinge on the Great Commission, does it not?

All authority is given unto me in heaven and upon earth. Go ye therefore and know I am with you. That's where I am. These things that you go forth to do. Now, I'm not going to say, of course, that this promise, so precious, is not for all Christians.

We're going to see this afternoon that all are potentially missionaries. They're involved. What the missionary does, who goes, depends on you. Paul said, Now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord. I say, I'm not going to say that this promise is only for missionaries.

But in a sense, bearing in mind that we're all involved, it's in a very special way, yes? For our Lord is marching down the great highway. We saw the other evening, you will recall how that he's on that white steed, his garments white, dipped in blood, marching at the headed reach of the armies of heaven.

And we might add, the armies of the redeemed on earth. The Son of God goes forth to war. You can't sing that in some places today, but I believe we could sing it here, brothers. For it really is war. We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers.

The governors of the darkness of this world wicked spirits in high places and all want a battle sometimes before they give way. Yes, and he's marching in the highways of Christian mission. That's the passion.

The Church’s Shared Mission and Spiritual Warfare

That's the all-consuming passion which in the first place brought him from heaven, heaven's throne, to Bethlehem's manger and to Calvary's cross. And really it was only one step from Bethlehem's manger to Calvary's cross.

I think there's a verse somewhere in Paul's epistles where he seems to imply this. There where he says that he took upon himself the form of a man, he humbled himself, he took upon himself the form of a man and he humbled himself even not to death, the death of the cross, the manger, and then, of course, the resurrection.

But it's the same passion. For he is the good shepherd in search of the lost sheep. And we're just under shepherds. Unfold of it this that we've been implying that we're all involved. You recall what Terry said when he went to India and that was a very historic moment in his mission, was it not?

Father Terry, that cobbler, he patched up shoes with maps of the world before him and prayed as he labored and then went forth. That companion, Edward Snow, that was his name, you hold the ropes and I'll go and you hold the ropes.

Or as it is when one goes down into the depths of the sea, there are those who are holding the ropes up on deck who make it possible. Ah, this teamwork, how beautifully illustrated and what has been taking place at Cape Kennedy, all that's involved in getting to the moon, hundreds upon hundreds, only one or two or three who go, but every detail is part of the great picture.

And so you are involved, we're all involved. And now I think, Leonard, I can bring in my little speech. Yes? Maybe your offerings that make it possible for someone to go. I think there are those, I don't know just how it works here, who are making it possible for some of our Latin friends to go.

You remember that word back in the Old Testament, they who stay by the stuff. You see, the same, how is it, recompense, honor, they who go to battle. You're staying by the stuff. You know, brethren, sometimes I wonder if every folk back home in America realize you're here so much today and there's so much mud thrown upon the stars and strikes the world over.

I wonder if we realize the significance of the great Mother Church of America that has her lines out into the islands of the sea and all parts of the world sustaining Christian mission. God bless America.

That doesn't make news, I know! You gotta go home and get a club and beat your wife to get into the news. Praise God. Praise the Lord. Keep America until she fulfills her God-given mission. And how wonderful it was in the days of World War I.

World War II, I should say, when Germany was cut off and Britain in a position no longer able to give out, the Mother Church of America took over the whole burden of Christian mission around. And then, you know, another very, very effective way by which we go, yes, that dear one must be prayed for.

Intercessory Prayer as Participation in Mission

There are intercessors back home that in the truest sense are a missionary, for they carry the burden upon their hearts. They go over the list day by day. They're all wrapped up in this thing. On a certain occasion, Hudson Taylor, the father of the China and the mission, was journeying over Canada and he stopped and visited a church.