The Wayside Pulpit No.13  

5th August 1999

"Much More" & "No More"

In the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul was not wanting in reminding his readers of the superlatives relating to Christ's work. Frequently he used the expression "much more". Here are a few. They make uplifting reading.

Rom.5:9 MUCH MORE then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath through Him.

Rom.5:10 If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, MUCH MORE, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Rom.5:15 If through the offence of one [Adam] many be dead, MUCH MORE the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by One Man, Jesus Christ, has abounded to the many.

Rom.5:17 If by one man's [Adam's] offence death reigned by one, MUCH MORE those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.

Rom.11:12 Now if the fall of them [the Jews] be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the nations, how MUCH MORE their fullness?

2 Cor.3:9 If the ministration of condemnation [through the law] be glory, MUCH MORE does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

Heb.9:13-14 If the blood of bulls and goats - - sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh, how MUCH MORE shall the blood of Christ - - purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

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The Apostle John received by vision and prophecy the state of the world and the church at the end of this age, when God sets up His Kingdom. Whereas Paul used the expression MUCH MORE, John employs the phrase NO MORE to signify the removal of all that offends. The following selection, from Revelation, is calculated to raise the hope and expectation of God's people, particularly in our present day.

Rev.3:12 The Overcomer will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall NO MORE go out. [One wonders how many times he had been excommunicated.]

Rev.7:16 [Referring to the Great Multitude, coming out of Great Tribulation] They shall hunger NO MORE, they shall thirst NO MORE, neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat.

Rev.10:6 The angel - - swore by Him who lives for ever and ever - - that there should be NO MORE time. [i.e., no more delay in the outworking of "this prophecy".]

Rev.18 [The whole chapter relates to the downfall of Babylon, the Counterfeit System, parading as God's Church. Babylon, the "Great City" as opposed to Jerusalem, the "Holy City."]

v.11 NO MORE does any man buy her merchandise

v.14 NO MORE shall you find any of those things which your soul lusted after.

v.21 that Great City Babylon shall be found NO MORE at all.

v.22 the voice of harpers, musicians, pipers and trumpeters shall be heard NO MORE at all in you, and the craftsman, of whatever craft it may be, shall be NO MORE found in you any longer, and the sound of the millstone shall be heard NO MORE at all in you.

v.23 the light of the candle shall shine NO MORE in you, and the voice of the Bridegroom and the Bride shall be heard NO MORE at all in you.

Rev.20:3 Satan - - shall be cast into the abyss - - that he should deceive the nations NO MORE, till the thousand years should be fulfilled

Rev.21:4 God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, there shall be NO MORE death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.

Rev.22:3 There shall be NO MORE curse.

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May the Lord be praised for the assurances of His "MUCH MORES" and His "NO MORES". Resting on the Foundation Stones of His MUCH MORES, we can the more readily grasp the certainty of His NO MORES, now much nearer at hand.