We understand, therefore, that prior to His bodily manifestation the Lord Jesus will "come" to His people, bringing resurrection life and the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord.

This pronouncement by Hosea agrees with Acts 3:19,20:

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: (Acts 3:19,20)

There will be times (plural) of refreshing that will come to the saints as we approach the manifestation of Christ. Jesus will remain in Heaven until the time comes for the restoration of all that was promised by the Prophets. The actual manifestation of Christ, as we understand the Scriptures, will be preceded by an increase in glory given to the saints. The Lord's coming will be the climax of a slowly building crescendo of imparted Divine Life.

But is it not true that Antichrist will overcome the saints in the last days and there will be very great persecution and tribulation?

Yes, such is the case. The closing days of this age will witness a severe chastening of mankind including the members of the Wife of the Lamb.

But the fires of tribulation that will come upon God's people will refine them and press them into Christ. As the believers choose to follow on to know the Lord, He will enter them in unprecedented revelation and power.

There will be, in the end-time, very great tribulation and very great glory. These two helpers—tribulation and glory—will result in a quick work of righteousness. A "nation will be born at once," meaning the Body of Christ, the Temple of God, will be brought forth in a short period of time (Isaiah 66:8).

The bringing of the Body of Christ to maturity and unity cannot be accomplished in the world as it now is. Everything in which man trusts must be shaken violently. The shaking will cause a division between Babylon (man-directed Christianity) and the Wife of the Lamb; between the self-serving "Christian" churches and the purified remnant.

We may not notice it happening because of the disturbances that will appear all around us; but during the days to come the Lord Jesus will draw ever nearer to us. The available glory will more than compensate for the trouble we shall face. The revelation and power of the Lord will increase in His Church until she stands without spot or blemish of any kind, ready for her manifestation to the nations of the earth as the Bride of the Lamb.

We glory, as did Paul, in the tribulations that will come. For along with the tribulations will be given to those who seek Christ a measure of Divine Life and Presence that has been reserved for the days of darkness.

Truly, Jesus has kept the good wine until now.

To be continued.