Simeon - and the End Time Church

Good message this month at The Old Time Gospel Ministry.

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple…” Luke 2:25-35

Very little is written about this great man of God named Simeon, but I believe he is without a doubt a type and shadow of what the end time Church must be.

There are four major qualities about this man of God that stand out as essential for the last day Church, they are as follows:

• He was a just and devout man.

• He was watching for the coming of the Lord.

• He was full of the Holy Ghost.

• He was resting on the promise of God.

Matthew Henry in his Bible Commentary writes:

(1.) That he was just and devout, just towards men and devout towards God; these two must always go together, and each will befriend the other, but neither will atone for the defect of the other.

(2.) That he waited for the consolation of Israel, that is, for the coming of the Messiah, in whom alone the nation of Israel, that was now miserably harassed and oppressed, would find consolation. Christ is not only the author of his people’s comfort, but the matter and ground of it, the consolation of Israel. He was long a coming, and they who believed he would come continued waiting, desiring his coming, and hoping for it with patience; I had almost said, with some degree of impatience waiting till it came. He understood by books, as Daniel, that the time was at hand, and therefore was now more than ever big with expectation of it. The unbelieving Jews, who still expect that which is already come, use it as an oath, or solemn protestation, As ever I hope to see the consolation of Israel, so and so it is. Note, The consolation of Israel is to be waited for, and it is worth waiting for, and it will be very welcome to those who have waited for it, and continue waiting.

(3.) The Holy Ghost was upon him, not only as a Spirit of holiness, but as a Spirit of prophecy; he was filled with the Holy Ghost, and enabled to speak things above himself.

(4.) He had a gracious promise made him, that before he died he should have a sight of the Messiah, Luk_2:26. He was searching what manner of time the Spirit of Christ in the Old Testament prophets did signify, and whether it were not now at hand; and he received this oracle (for so the word signifies), that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah, the Lord’s Anointed. Note, Those, and those only, can with courage see death, and look it in the face without terror, that have had by faith a sight of Christ.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible

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The Church is not ready for the return of the Lord because she lacks holiness of character, a steadfast watchfulness of the Lord, a steady infilling of the oil of the Holy Spirit, and a genuine hope in the promises of God.

Simeon was led by the Spirit into the temple, and so must we, for there the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to meet you, and there you must be ready to meet him. Without spot or wrinkle, full of the Holy Ghost, ever watching and waiting, steadfast in His promises. To these, will the Lord reveal Himself, “…and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” (Matthew 25:10)

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