18 Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

Of Zion it is said,

"they shall prosper that love thee"—

that is if the love for Zion is coupled with a love for God. This is an unmentioned qualification which underlies the majority of Bible promises.

Prosper—when? Now or hereafter? Both, though prosperity for the moment is not visible to the natural eye. From the standpoint of the wisdom from above, the highest prosperity is not incompatible with temporal adversity.

What greater present prosperity could there be than a successful making meet for the kingdom through the in-working of God? A prosperity to be followed by glory, honour, and an everlasting possession of the earth and its treasures.

The worldling esteems a steady increase of wealth or popularity, prosperity—a thing which he has to give an eternal good bye to when the grim visitor knocks at the door. Well may the Scriptures count such an one as a fool!

If we want to know what true prosperity is, let us look at the 144,000 enthroned in Zion, in enjoyment of the zenith of prosperity. Christ will be among that number, and he "wept" for Zion (Luke 19:41). Others will be among them of whom it is recorded,

"By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down; yea, we wept when we remembered Zion" (Ps. 137:1).

Jeremiah will not be missing...

The question is, are we lovers of Zion? Or, have we more love for places upon which God has set no affection?

Bro AT Jannaway

The Christadelphian, Mar 1888