Chap. 335---Day of Triumph

"Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the
prophecy of this book. Revelation 22:7.
We are rapidly approaching the end of this earth’s history; and as we realize
that Jesus is indeed coming soon, we shall be aroused to labor as never before....
We are to raise the banner on which is inscribed, “The commandments of God, and
the faith of Jesus.” Obedience to God’s law is the great issue. Let it not be put out
of sight....
The Lord desires to see the work of proclaiming the third angel’s message
carried forward with increasing efficiency. As He has worked in all ages to give
victories to His people, so in this age He longs to carry to a triumphant fulfillment
His purposes for His church. He bids His believing saints to advance unitedly,
going from strength to greater strength, from faith to increased assurance and
confidence in the truth and righteousness of His cause.
We are to stand firm as a rock to the principles of the Word of God,
remembering that God is with us to give us strength to meet each new experience.
Let us ever maintain in our lives the principles of righteousness.... We are to hold
as very sacred the faith that has been substantiated by the instruction and approval
of the Spirit of God from our earliest experience until the present time. We are to
cherish as very precious the work that the Lord has been carrying forward through
His commandment-keeping people, and which, through the power of His grace,
will grow stronger and more efficient as time advances. The enemy is seeking to
becloud the discernment of God’s people and to weaken their efficiency, but if they
will labor as the Spirit of God shall direct, He will open doors of opportunity before
them for the work of building up the old waste places. Their experience will be one
of constant growth, until the Lord shall descend from heaven with power and great
glory to set His seal of final triumph upon His faithful ones.
The work that lies before us is one that will put to the stretch every power of
the human being.... Jesus will be with you; ... and He will be your helper in every
emergency."

Chap. 334---Rewards and Punishments

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 25:34.
The Saviour presents before us the scene of the last judgment when the reward is
given to those upon His right hand, and the sentence of condemnation to those upon
His left hand. The righteous are represented as wondering what they have done for
which they are to be so liberally rewarded. They had had the abiding presence of
Christ in their hearts; they had been imbued with His Spirit, and without conscious
effort on their part; they had been serving Christ in the person of His saints, and had
thereby gained the sure reward. But they had not had in view the reward they were
to receive, and the expectation of it had been no part of the motive that had actuated
their service. What they did was done from love to Christ and to their fellow-men,
and Christ identifies Himself with suffering humanity, and accounts that all deeds
done in sympathy and compassion and love to men, are done to Him....
In a subordinate sense we should all have respect unto the recompense of the
reward. But while we appreciate the promise of blessing, we should have perfect
confidence in Jesus Christ, believing that He will do right, and give us reward
according as our works have been. The gift of God is eternal life, but Jesus would
have us not so anxious concerning rewards, as that we may do the will of God
because it is right to do it, irrespective of all gain....
Those who will receive the most abundant reward will be those who have
mingled with their activity and zeal, gracious, tender pity for the poor, the orphan,
the oppressed, and the afflicted.... There are about us those who have a meek and
lowly spirit, the spirit of Christ, who do many little things to help those around them,
and who think nothing of it; they will be astonished at last to find that Christ has
noticed the kind word spoken to the disheartened, and taken account of the smallest
gift given for the relief of the poor, that cost the giver some self-denial. The Lord
measures the spirit, and rewards accordingly, and the pure, humble, childlike spirit
of love makes the offering precious in His sight."

Chap. 332---Every Work will be Brought into Judgment

"God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be
good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14.
In the case of each individual there is a process going forward which is far more
wonderful than that which transfers the features to the polished plate of the artist.
The art of the photographer merely imprints the likeness on perishable substance;
but in the life-record the character is faithfully delineated, and this record, however
dark, can never be effaced except by the blood of the atoning Sacrifice.
Angels of God are taking a daguerreotype of the character just as accurately as
the artist takes the likeness of the human features; and ... it is from this that we are
to be judged!
When the Judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened, there will be many
astonishing disclosures. Men will not then appear as they appear to the human eyes
and finite judgments. Secret sins will then be laid open to the view of all. Motives
and intentions which have been hidden in the dark chambers of the heart will be
revealed.
All will appear as a real life-picture.
In that solemn and awful hour the unfaithfulness of the husband will be opened
to the wife, and the unfaithfulness of the wife, to the husband. Parents will then
learn, for the first time, what was the real character of their children, and children
will see the errors and mistakes that marked the lives of their parents. The man
who robbed his neighbor through false representations, is not to escape with his
ill-gotten gains. God has an exact record in His books, of every unjust account and
every unfair dealing.
Memory will be true and vivid in condemnation of the guilty one, who in that
day is found wanting. The mind will recall all the thoughts and acts of the past; the
whole life will come in review like the scenes in a panorama."

Chap. 333---Echo the Message

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say,
Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the
water of life freely. Revelation 22:17.
A short time before His ascension to His heavenly throne Christ commissioned
His disciples to go into all the world as teachers of righteousness....
Among
the believers to whom the commission was given, were many from the humbler
walks of life—men and women who had learned to love their Lord and who had
determined to follow His example of self-denying service. To these lowly ones of
but limited talent, as well as to the disciples who had been with the Saviour during
the years of His earthly ministry, was the commission given to go “into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15)....
To the members of the early Christian church was given a sacred trust. They
were to be executors of the will in which Christ had bequeathed to the world the
treasure of life eternal.... In the trust given to the first disciples believers in every age
have shared. God desires that every believer shall be an executor of the Saviour’s
will.... The unselfish labor of God’s people in ages past is to His servants today
an object lesson and an inspiration. Today God’s chosen people are to be zealous
of good works, separating from all worldly ambition and walking humbly in the
footsteps of the lowly Nazarene....
“The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.” This
commission to bid others come, embraces the entire church, and applies to every
one who has accepted Christ as his personal Saviour.... Every soul who has heard
the divine invitation is to echo the message..., saying to those with whom he comes
in contact, “Come.” From the moment of conversion those who receive Christ are
to become the light of the world....
The Holy Spirit, Christ’s representative, arms the weakest with might to press
forward to victory.... The work that some are able to do may appear to be restricted
by circumstances; but wherever it is, if performed with faith and diligence, it will
be felt to the uttermost parts of the earth."

Chap. 331---The Last Judgment

"I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:
... and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works. Revelation 20:12.
Now Christ again appears to the view of His enemies. Far above the city, upon
a foundation of burnished gold, is a throne, high and lifted up. Upon this throne sits
the Son of God, and around Him are the subjects of His kingdom. The power and
majesty of Christ no language can describe, no pen portray. The glory of the Eternal
Father is enshrouding His Son. The brightness of His presence fills the City of God,
and flows out beyond the gates, flooding the whole earth with its radiance.
Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but
who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep,
intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst
of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian
world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their
faith. And beyond is the “great multitude, which no man could number, of all
nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, ... before the throne, and before
the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Revelation 7:9....
The redeemed raise a song of praise that echoes and reechoes through the vaults
of heaven: “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
Verse 10. And angel and seraph unite their voices in adoration....
In the presence of the assembled inhabitants of earth and heaven the final
coronation of the Son of God takes place. And now, invested with supreme majesty
and power, the King of kings pronounces sentence upon the rebels against His
government and executes justice upon those who have transgressed His law and
oppressed His people....
As soon as the books of record are opened, and the eye of Jesus looks upon the
wicked, they are conscious of every sin which they have ever committed."

Chap. 332 -- The Latter Rain

"Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall
make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the
field. Zechariah 10:1.
Our heavenly Father claims not at our hands that which we cannot perform. He
desires His people to labor earnestly to carry out His purpose for them. They are
to pray for power, expect power, and receive power, that they may grow up into the
full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.
Not all members of the church are cultivating personal piety; therefore they
do not understand their personal responsibility. They do not realize that it is their
privilege and duty to reach the high standard of Christian perfection.... Are we
looking forward to the latter rain, confidently hoping for a better day, when the
church shall be endued with power from on high and thus fitted for work? The
latter rain will never refresh and invigorate the indolent, who do not use the powers
God has given them.
We are in great need of the pure, life-giving atmosphere that nurtures and
invigorates the spiritual life. We need greater earnestness. The solemn message
given us to give to the world is to be proclaimed with greater fervency, even with
an intensity that will impress unbelievers, leading them to see that the Most High
is working with us, that He is the source of our efficiency and strength....
God has given us talents to be used in the upbuilding of His kingdom.... Do
we ask ourselves the question, How am I using the talents my Lord has given me?
Have you given ... to God only a feeble, diseased service? ...
Are you using all your powers in an effort to bring the lost sheep back to the
fold? There are thousands upon thousands in ignorance who might be warned. Pray
as you have never prayed before for the power of Christ. Pray for the inspiration
of His Spirit, that you may be filled with a desire to save those who are perishing.
Let the prayer ascend to heaven, “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause
his face to shine upon us; that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health
among all nations” (Psalm 67:1, 2).

Chap. 330---The Wicked Prepare to Attack the New Jerusalem

"Satan ... shall go out to deceive the nations ... to gather them together to battle.
Revelation 20:7, 8.
In that vast throng are multitudes of the long-lived race that existed before the
Flood; men of lofty stature and giant intellect, who, yielding to the control of fallen
angels, devoted all their skill and knowledge to the exaltation of themselves; men
whose wonderful works of art led the world to idolize their genius, but whose
cruelty and evil inventions, defiling the earth and defacing the image of God, caused
Him to blot them from the face of His creation. There are kings and generals who
conquered nations, valiant men who never lost a battle, proud, ambitious warriors
whose approach made kingdoms tremble. In death these experienced no change. As
they come up from the grave, they resume the current of their thoughts just where it
ceased. They are actuated by the same desire to conquer that ruled them when they
fell.
Satan consults with his angels, and then with these kings and conquerors and
mighty men. They look upon the strength and numbers on their side, and declare
that the army within the city is small in comparison with theirs, and that it can be
overcome. They lay their plans to take possession of the riches and glory of the New
Jerusalem. All immediately begin to prepare for battle. Skillful artisans construct
implements of war. Military leaders, famed for their success, marshal the throngs
of warlike men into companies and divisions.
At last the order to advance is given, and the countless host moves on—an army
such as was never summoned by earthly conquerors, such as the combined forces of
all ages since war began on earth could never equal. Satan, the mightiest of warriors,
leads the van, and his angels unite their forces for this final struggle. Kings and
warriors are in his train, and the multitudes follow in vast companies, each under its
appointed leader. With military precision the serried ranks advance over the earth’s
broken and uneven surface to the City of God. By command of Jesus, the gates of
the New Jerusalem are closed, and the armies of Satan surround the city and make
ready for the onset."
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Chap. 323---Think on Heavenly Things

"These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes,
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14.
John, while in vision, saw a company clothed in white robes.... They were seen
in the temple of God. This will be the result for all who will lay hold of the merits
of Christ and wash their robes in His blood. Every provision has been made so that
we can sit with Christ upon His throne, but the condition is that we be in harmony
with the law of God....
We cannot afford to lose heaven. We ought to have our conversation on heavenly
things. There there is no death nor pain. Why are we so reluctant to talk of these
things? Why do we dwell upon earthly things? The apostle exhorts us to have our
conversation in heaven. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we
look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).... Christ will soon
return to gather those who are prepared, and take them to this glorious place. “So
Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him
shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).
Do we love to think of this event or do we want to put it off? ... The more we
talk of Jesus, the more we shall reflect His divine image. By beholding we become
transformed. We need to bring Christ into our religious experience. When you
assemble together, let the conversation be on Christ and His salvation.... The more
we talk of Jesus the more of His matchless charms we shall behold.
Those who take no pleasure in thinking and talking of God in this life, will
not enjoy the life that is to come, where God is ever present, dwelling among His
people. But those who love to think of God will be in their element, breathing in the
atmosphere of heaven. Those who on earth love the thought of heaven will be happy
in its holy associations and pleasures.... “And there shall be no more curse: but the
throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and
they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads” (Revelation 22:3,
4).

Chap. 316---Eye Hath Not Seen, Nor Ear Heard

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Those who truly love God will desire so to improve the talents that He has given
them, that they may be a blessing to others. And by and by the gates of heaven
will be thrown wide open to admit them, and from the lips of the King of Glory
the benediction will fall upon their ear like richest music, “Come, ye blessed of
my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”
(Matthew 25:34). Thus the redeemed will be welcomed to the mansions that Jesus
is preparing for them. There their companions will not be the vile of earth, but
those who through divine aid have formed perfect characters. Every sinful tendency,
every imperfection, has been removed by the blood of Christ; and the excellence
and brightness of His glory, far exceeding the brightness of the sun in its meridian
splendor, is imparted to them. And the moral beauty, the perfection of His character,
shines through them in worth far exceeding this outward splendor. They are without
fault before the great white throne, sharing the dignity and privileges of the angels.
“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” In view of the glorious
inheritance which may be his, “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
(Matthew 16:26). He may be poor; yet he possesses in himself a wealth and dignity
that the world could never bestow. The soul, redeemed and cleansed from sin, with
all its noble powers dedicated to the service of God, is of surpassing worth.
To dwell forever in this home of the blest, to bear in soul, body, and spirit, not
the dark traces of sin and curse, but the perfect likeness of our Creator, and through
ceaseless ages to advance in wisdom, in knowledge, and in holiness, ever exploring
new fields of thought, ever finding new wonders and new glories, ever increasing in
capacity to know and to enjoy and to love, and knowing that there is still beyond us
joy and love and wisdom infinite—such is the object to which the Christian’s hope
is pointing."
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Chap. 313---Satisfying Answers

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9.
Our plans are not always God’s plans....
In His loving care and interest for us, often He who understands us better than
we understand ourselves refuses to permit us selfishly to seek the gratification of
our own ambition.... Often our plans fail that God’s plans for us may succeed....
In the future life the mysteries that here have annoyed and disappointed us
will be made plain. We shall see that our seemingly unanswered prayers and
disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings.
We are not now sufficiently advanced in spiritual attainments to comprehend the
mysteries of God. But when we shall compose the family of heaven, these mysteries
will be unfolded before us....
Then much will be revealed in explanation of matters upon which God now
keeps silence because we have not gathered up and appreciated that which has been
made known of the eternal mysteries. The ways of Providence will be made clear;
the mysteries of grace through Christ will be unfolded. That which the mind cannot
now grasp, which is hard to be understood, will be explained. We shall see order
in that which has seemed unexplainable; wisdom in everything withheld; goodness
and gracious mercy in everything imparted. Truth will be unfolded to the mind, free
from obscurity, in a single line, and its brightness will be endurable. The heart will
be made to sing for joy. Controversies will be forever ended, and all difficulties will
be solved.
All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come
be made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find explanation. The
mysteries of grace will unfold before us.
Where our finite minds discovered
only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful
harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most
trying. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for
our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."
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Chap. 312--Surprises When We Get to Heaven

"The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance,
but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7.
Often we regard as hopeless subjects the very ones whom Christ is drawing to
Himself.... Many will be in heaven who their neighbors supposed would never enter
there. Man judges from appearance, but God judges the heart.
Some among the redeemed will have laid hold of Christ in the last hours of
life, and in heaven instruction will be given to these, who, when they died, did not
understand perfectly the plan of salvation.
To Jesus in His agony on the cross there came one gleam of comfort. It was the
prayerofthepenitentthief.... InJesus, bruised, mocked, andhanginguponthecross,
he sees the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Hope is mingled
with anguish in his voice as the helpless, dying soul casts himself upon a dying
Saviour. “Lord, remember me,” he cries, “when thou comest into thy kingdom.”
Quickly the answer came.... Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in
paradise.
Such faith may be represented by the eleventh hour laborers who receive as
much reward as do those who have labored for many hours. The thief asked in faith,
in penitence, in contrition. He asked in earnestness, as if he fully realized that Jesus
could save him if He would.
Those whom Christ commends in the judgment may have known little of
theology, but they have cherished His principles.... Among the heathen are those
who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human
instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God,
they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that
the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their
hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God.
How surprised and gladdened will be the lowly among the nations, and among
the heathen, to hear from the lips of the Saviour, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”! How glad will be
the heart of Infinite Love as His followers look up with surprise and joy at His words
of approval!"
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Chap. 311--Home at Last!

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: ... enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:21.
As your senses delight in the attractive loveliness of the earth, think of the world
that is to come, that shall never know the blight of sin and death; where the face of
nature will no more wear the shadow of the curse. Let your imagination picture the
home of the saved, and remember that it will be more glorious than your brightest
imagination can portray. In the varied gifts of God in nature we see but the faintest
gleaming of His glory. It is written, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.
By and by the gates of heaven will be thrown open to admit God’s children, and
from the lips of the King of glory the benediction will fall on their ears like richest
music, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34.
Then the redeemed will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is preparing for
them.
Then I saw Jesus lead the redeemed company to the gate of the city. He laid
hold of the gate and swung it back on its glittering hinges and bade the nations that
had kept the truth enter in. Within the city there was everything to feast the eye.
Rich glory they beheld everywhere. Then Jesus looked upon His redeemed saints;
their countenances were radiant with glory; and as He fixed His loving eyes upon
them. He said, with His rich, musical voice, “I behold the travail of My soul, and
am satisfied. This rich glory is yours to enjoy eternally. Your sorrows are ended.
There shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any
more pain.” ...
Language is altogether too feeble to attempt a description of heaven. As the
scene rises before me, I am lost in amazement. Carried away with the surpassing
splendor and excellent glory, I lay down the pen, and exclaim, “Oh, what love! what
wondrous love!” The most exalted language fails to describe the glory of heaven or
the matchless depths of a Saviour’s love."
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Chap. 310--Heaven is Cheap Enough

"He shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord
shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.
Isaiah 53:10, 11.
The love of God is without measure, without comparison! It is infinite.... When
we contemplate the dignity and glory of Christ we see how great was that love that
prompted the sacrifice made upon the cross of Calvary for the redemption of a lost
world. This theme will fill the saints with wonder and amazement through eternal
ages, and why should we not meditate upon it here in this world? ...
O the mystery of godliness—God manifest in the flesh! This mystery increases
as we try to comprehend it. It is incomprehensible, and yet human beings will allow
worldly, earthly things to intercept the faint view it is possible for mortals to have of
Jesus and His matchless love.... How can we be enthusiastic over earthly, common
things and not be stirred with this picture—the cross of Calvary, the love that is
revealed in the death of God’s dear Son ...?
All this humiliation and anguish were endured to bring back the wanderers,
guilty and thankless, to the Father’s house. O the home of the blest—I cannot afford
to lose it! I shall, if saved in the kingdom of God, be constantly discerning new
depths in the plan of salvation. All the redeemed saints will see and appreciate as
never before the love of the Father and the Son, and songs of praise will burst forth
from immortal tongues. He loved us, He gave His life for us. With glorified bodies,
with enlarged capacities, with hearts made pure, with lips undefiled, we shall sing
the riches of redeeming love. There will be no suffering ones in heaven, no skeptics
whom we must labor to convince of the reality of eternal things, no prejudices to
uproot, but all will be susceptible to that love which passeth knowledge. Rest, thank
God, there is a rest for the people of God, where Jesus will lead the redeemed into
green pastures, by the streams of living waters which make glad the city of our God.
Then the prayer of Jesus to His Father will be answered: “I will that they also, whom
thou hast given me, be with me where I am.”
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