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How Can We Tell The Future
1. Who controls the course of human events? (Daniel 2:20, 21)
"The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." Daniel 4:17.
A nineteenth century writer once described God's sovereignty in these words:
"Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best."
And God has not kept His plans secret:
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Amos 3:7.
2. How long ago did God reveal or declare His plans? (Isaiah 46:10)
3. Where did the holy prophets of God in ancient times get their information? (2 Peter 1:21)
The Bible may be received "not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God." 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
4. What guarantee did the Psalmist give that the ancient words of God would still be trustworthy in the last days?(Psalm12:6,7) The apostle Peter expressed his confidence in the ancient prophecies and also their importance for us today:
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts."
(2 Peter 1:19)
The Bereans certainly took heed to the sure word of prophecy:
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so." Acts 17:11.
5. By what should we live our lives? (Matthew 4:4)
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15.
6. Is it safe for us to interpret the prophecies of the Bible? (2 Peter 1:20)
"Do not interpretations belong to God?" Genesis 40:8. Everyone interprets the Bible differently. That's why it is not safe to rely on anyone's interpretation, not even your own. Do not interpret the Bible; let the Bible interpret itself. When you read something in the Bible that you do not understand, instead of trusting your own ideas, look for other Bible verses that will explain the meaning of the more difficult passage.
The Bible itself tells us how it is to be studied:" For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." Isaiah 28:10. Thus "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," Scripture with Scripture, we allow the Bible to explain itself. 1 Corinthians 2:13.
We may be tempted to think that we have a natural ability to understand God's word, but we do not:
"The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them." 1 Corinthians 2:14.
7. Sometimes God hides things from the so-called wise, and reveals them unto whom? (Matthew 11:25)
8. Whom do we need to teach us? (John 14:26)
Whenever we study the Bible we should always pray that the Holy Spirit will direct our thoughts and help us to understand His word.
9. Is it always safe to follow what seems right to us? (Proverbs 14:12)
10. How are the last days described? (2 Timothy 3:1)
11. Evil men and seducers will abound, doing what? (2 TImothy 3:13)
12. False prophets shall arise and show what? (Matthew 24:24)
13. Their miracles are calculated to deceive whom? (Matthew 24:24)
14. To prevent deception, what are we to do with all our ideas? (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
15. According to what word are we to test all things? (Isaiah 8:20)
16. Whose writings must we believe in order to accept the words of Jesus? (John 5:46, 47)
"If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:31.
The apostles regarded the Old Testament as "the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
17. What is destroying people today? (Hosea 4:6)
18. What is God's word to us? (Psalm 119:105)
19. What is our duty regarding the light God gives? (John 12:35)
20. What must we do to know if a doctrine is of God? (John 7:17)
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant." Psalm 25:14.
21. What does God want to show us? (Jeremiah 33:3)
"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:3-5.
In the Light of God's Word...
I understand that the entire Bible is the word of God, wholly reliable, and the test of all things.
I desire to diligently study the word of God, and allow it to direct every aspect of my life.
Our History
The early Seventh-day Adventists experienced many difficulties and disappointments, but they trusted in the truth and the teachings of the Bible.
From humble beginnings and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have grown into a worldwide church recognised for its mission, health message, education programs and aid and relief activities.
> Our beginnings
> What helped us grow?
> Who are we today?
Did you know...
...J N Andrews was the first Seventh-day Adventist missionary?
> He went to Switzerland in 1874 where he organised the various companies of believers who worshipped on Sabbath, or Saturday, into a more unified community.
> Andrews was a respected theologian, a visionary church leader and a skilled businessman.
> He died at the age of 54 from tuberculosis.
How did the Seventh-day Adventist movement begin?
It began humbly.
William Miller, a Baptist and former army captain in the American Revolution, preached between 1831 and 1844 about the soon return of Jesus. Miller called it the "Second Advent." He predicted, based on his study of the Bible prophecy of Daniel 8:14, that Jesus would return to earth sometime between 1843 and 1844. Others within the movement named a date, October 22, 1844. (View Prophecy section)
It began disappointingly.
What helped us grow?
Going abroad
Putting pen to paper
Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington D.C
Bible Echo Publishing House, 1886.
Pacific Press, Oakland, California, 1874
Helping out
Caring Christians
From humble beginnings and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have grown into a worldwide church recognised for its mission, health message, education programs and aid and relief activities.
> Our beginnings
> What helped us grow?
> Who are we today?
Did you know...
...J N Andrews was the first Seventh-day Adventist missionary?
> He went to Switzerland in 1874 where he organised the various companies of believers who worshipped on Sabbath, or Saturday, into a more unified community.
> Andrews was a respected theologian, a visionary church leader and a skilled businessman.
> He died at the age of 54 from tuberculosis.
How did the Seventh-day Adventist movement begin?
It began humbly.
William Miller, a Baptist and former army captain in the American Revolution, preached between 1831 and 1844 about the soon return of Jesus. Miller called it the "Second Advent." He predicted, based on his study of the Bible prophecy of Daniel 8:14, that Jesus would return to earth sometime between 1843 and 1844. Others within the movement named a date, October 22, 1844. (View Prophecy section)
William Miller preaching
The early Adventists met regularly for prayer and Bible Study. These meetings, over time, helped them move past
the Great Disappointment and find new truths in the Bible.
Miller's followers were bitterly disappointed when Jesus did not appear. The church now calls this time of its history as the "great disappointment." Most of the thousands who had joined the movement left, but a few re-studied their Bibles. They discovered the date was correct, but they had misinterpreted what was to take place. The Bible prophecy did not predict Jesus would return to earth, but that He would begin a special ministry in heaven for His followers.
But it survived.The small group of Adventists began to grow, mainly in the New England states of the United States of America where Miller's movement began. Ellen White, a teenager at the time of the "great disappointment," became a gifted author, speaker and leader. She served as a spiritual counsellor for the Adventist community for more than 70 years until her death in 1915. (Read Ellen G White's biography) Adventists believe God blessed her with the gift of prophecy as she wrote to the growing number of Adventists.
Six Sabbath Conferences were held in New England and New York between April and November in 1848.
These clarified the understanding of the diverse group of Sabbath keepers and also united them. Here, Joseph Bates is making a presentation.
In 1860, at Battle Creek in Michigan, the many congregations of Adventists chose the name "Seventh-day Adventist" and, in 1863, formally organised a church community with a membership of 3500.
What helped us grow?
Going abroad
The church confined its work to North America at first. That changed in 1874 when the church's first missionary, J N Andrews, visited Switzerland. In 1879, Dr H P Ribton, a new Adventist living in Italy, moved to Egypt and opened a school. However, he closed it when riots broke out in the vicinity. Russia was the first non-Protestant Christian country where the church introduced its message. An Adventist minister went there in 1886. On October 20, 1890, the church launched the schooner, Pitcairn, from San Francisco. It soon carried missionaries to the Pacific islands. Adventists first visited non-Christian countries, including Gold Coast (now Ghana), West Africa and Matabeleland, South Africa-in 1894. Missionaries visited South America the same year and Japan in 1896.
JN Andrews, the first Adventist missionary
Putting pen to paper
The publication and distribution of literature were strong factors in the growth of the Adventist movement. The church launched its The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald in Paris, Maine, in 1850; the Youth's Instructor in Rochester, New York, in 1852; and the Signs of the Times in Oakland, California, in 1874. The first denominational publishing house at Battle Creek, Michigan, began operating in 1855.
Early Adventist Publishing Houses 
Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington D.C
Bible Echo Publishing House, 1886.
Pacific Press, Oakland, California, 1874
Helping out
The Health Reform Institute, later known as the Battle Creek Sanitarium, opened in 1866, and we organised missionary society work in 1870. We established the first of our worldwide network of schools in 1872. In 1903, the worldwide headquarters of the church moved from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Washington, D.C., and in 1989 to Silver Spring, Maryland.
The Health Reform Institute was the first medical institution owned and operated by the Adventist Church. It was one of the largest hospitals in the world, with 3200 beds.
Battle Creek Sanitarium - a contemporary view of the former hospital complex. Today it is a United States Federal Government building.
Who are we today?
We are Christians who want to know God better and experience Him more in our lives. We would like to share our hope in Jesus with you-a hope that gives life meaning and direction. It is this hope that gives us reason to believe, motivation to teach and a desire to help others.
We are mainstream worldwide Christians
There are more than 16 million Adventists around the world. View statistics.
The church currently works in 205 countries around the world. Nine out of 10 of its members live outside of North America, the church's birthplace. Membership is growing at a rate of almost one million every year, with new members joining the church at the rate of one every 35 seconds.
Caring Christians
We believe in caring not only for a person's spiritual needs, but also for their physical and social needs. We operate more than 165 hospitals and 370 clinics and more than 5800 schools and training colleges around the world. Through the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, we provide food aid, medical supplies, education programs, drug awareness and much more. Our different ministries also run many local programs to educate and help communities.
The BLOOD
One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart.
She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution.
But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church.
She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.
It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son.
The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began.
You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.
The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting.
As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand...
The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past.
As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife-to-be.
He began to speak and his statement was this:
"My fiancée’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"
The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters.
Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.
What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:23
This prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards, let's continue to pray for one another…
Here is the prayer:
"Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and all reading this right now.
Show them a new revelation of your love and power.
Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.
Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.
Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace.
In Jesus' precious name…
Amen
The New Earth
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and He shall reign forever. Amen.
(Biblical references: 2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 35; 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 11:15.)
LIVING SAINTS MADE IMMORTAL AND CAUGHT UP WITH THE RISEN SAINTS
1 - They are made immortal, and caught up to Jesus.
"The living righteous are changed 'in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,' At the voice of God they were glorified; now they are made immortal and with the risen saints are caught up to meet their Lord In the air." Great Controversy, 645:1.
2 - Changed in a moment, they meet their Lord in the air.
"The voice of the Son of God called forth the sleeping saints, clothed with glorious immortality. The living saints were changed In a moment and were caught up with them into the cloudy chariot." Early Writings, 35:1.
3 - They ascend amid shouts of glory and victory.
"And the graves were opened, and the saints came forth, clothed with immortality, crying, 'Victory over death and the grave'; and together with the living saints they were caught up to meet their Lord In the air, while rich, musical shouts of glory and victory were upon every immortal tongue." Early Writings, 273:0.
4 - The meeting in the sky.
"There stands the risen host. The last thought was of death and its pangs. The last thoughts they had were of the grave and the tomb, but now they proclaim, '0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory?' . . Here they stand and the finishing touch of immortality is put upon them and they go up to meet their Lord in the air. . There are the columns of angels on either side; . . then the angelic choir strike the note of victory and the angels in the two columns take up the song and the redeemed host join as though they had been singing the song on the earth, and they have been. Oh, what music! There is not an inharmonious note. Every voice proclaims, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.' He sees the travail of His soul, and is satisfied." Sons and Daughters of God, 359:4
5 - When we receive holy flesh.
"When human beings receive holy flesh, they will not remain on the earth, but will be taken to heaven. While sin is forgiven in this life, its results are not now wholly removed. It is at His coming that Christ is to 'change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.' " 2 Selected Messages, 33:3.
FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES ARE REUNITED
1 - Angela bring loved ones together. "Angels' gather together H is elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.' Little children are borne by holy angels to their mothers' arms. Friends long separated by death are united, nevermore to part." Great Controversy, 645:1.
2 - Infants wing their way to their mothers. "As the little Infants come forth immortal from their dusty beds, they immediately wing their way to their mother's arms." 2 Selected Messages, 260:1. (For more on children in heaven, read 2 Selected Messages, 260, and Early Writings, 19.)
3 - Friends are recognized.
"The 144,000 shouted. 'Alleluia!' as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air." Early Writings, 16:1.
"We shall know our friends, even as the disciples knew Jesus. They may have been deformed, diseased, or disfigured, in this mortal life, and they rise in perfect health and symmetry; yet in the glorified body their identity will be perfectly preserved. Then shall we know even as also we are known. 1 Corinthians 13:12. In the face radiant with the light shining from the face of Jesus, we shall recognize the lineaments of those we love." Desire of Ages, 804:1.
"He will come to honor those who have loved Him, and kept His commandments, and to take them to Himself. He has not forgotten them nor His promise. There will be a re-linking of the family chain." Desire of Ages, 692:9.
4 - They meet those who brought them to Christ.
"The redeemed will meet and recognize those whose attention they have directed to the uplifted Saviour. What blessed converse they have with these souls! 'I was a sinner,' it will be said, 'without God and without hope in the world, and you came to me and drew my attention to the precious Saviour as my only hope. . Others will say, 'I was a heathen in heathen lands. You left your friends and comfortable home and came to teach me how to find Jesus and believe in Him as the only true God. I demolished my idols and worshiped God, and now I see Him face to face. I am saved, eternally saved, ever to behold Him whom I love. .'
"Others will express their gratitude to those who fed the hungry and clothed the naked. 'When despair bound my soul in unbelief, the Lord sent you to me,’ they say, 'to speak words of hope and comfort. You brought me food for my physical necessities, and you opened to me the Word of God, awakening me to my spiritual needs. You treated me as a brother. You sympathized with me in my sorrows, and restored my bruised and wounded soul, so that I could grasp the hand of Christ that was reached out to save me, In my ignorance you taught me patiently that I had a Father in heaven who cared for me, You read to me the precious promises of God's Word, You Inspired In me the faith that He would save me. My heart was softened, subdued, broken, as I contemplated the sacrifice which Christ had made for me, . I am here, saved, eternally saved, ever to live in His presence and to praise Him who gave His life for me.'
"What rejoicing there will be as these redeemed ones meet and greet those who have had a burden in their behalf! And those who have lived, not to please themselves, but to be a blessing to the unfortunate who have so few blessings—how their hearts will thrill with satisfaction!" My Life Today, 353:1-3.
5 - They will meet those who gave them papers which brought them to Jesus.
"I was shown men and women studying with intense interest papers and a few pages of tracts upon present truth. They would read the evidences so wonderful and new to them, and would open their Bibles with a deep and new interest, as subjects of truth that had been dark to them were made plain, especially the light in regard to the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment. As they searched the Scriptures to see if these things were so, a new light shone upon their understanding, for angels were hovering over them, and impressing their minds with the truths contained in the publications they had been reading.
"I saw them holding papers and tracts in one hand, and the Bible in the other, while their cheeks were wet with tears; and bowing before God in earnest, humble prayer, to be guided into all truth,—the very thing He was doing for them before they called upon Him, And when the truth was received in their hearts, and they saw the harmonious chain of truth, the Bible was to them a new book; they hugged it to their hearts with grateful joy, while their countenances were all aglow with happiness and holy joy." Life Sketches, 214:3-215:1.
6 - Oh, we must be there!
"Only those who are holy, those who have followed fully the meek Pattern, will with rapturous joy exclaim as they behold Him, 'Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.' And they will be changed 'in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump' that trump which wakes the sleeping saints, and calls them forth from their dusty beds, clothed with glorious immortality, and shouting, 'Victory! Victory over death and the grave!' The changed saints are then caught up together with the angels to meet the Lord In the air, never more to be separated from the object of their love.
"With such a prospect as this before us, such a glorious hope, such a redemption that Christ has purchased for us by His own blood, shall we hold our peace? Shall we not praise God even with a loud voice, as did the disciples when Jesus rode into Jerusalem? Is not our prospect far more glorious than was theirs? Who dare then forbid us glorifying God, even with a loud voice, when we have such a hope, big with immortality, and full of glory? We have tasted of the powers of the world to come, and long for more. My whole being cries out after the living God, and I shall not be satisfied until I am filled with all His fullness." Early Writings, 110:1-2.
7 - A summary of the final triumph of the redeemed.
"The Life-giver is coming to break the fetters of the tomb. He is to bring forth the captives and proclaim, 'I am the resurrection and the life.' There stands the risen host. The last thought was of death and its pangs. The last thoughts they had were of the grave and the tomb, but now they proclaim, '0, death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory' (1 Corinthians 15:55). The pangs of death were the last things they felt.
"When they awake the pain is all gone. '0 grave, where is thy victory?' Here they stand and the finishing touch of Immortality is put upon them and they go up to meet their Lord in the air. The gates of the city of God swing back upon their hinges, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in. .
"There are the columns of angels on either side, and the ransomed of God walk in through the cherubim and seraphim. Christ bids them welcome and puts upon them His benediction: 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord' (Matthew 25:21). What is that joy? He sees of the travail of His soul, and is satisfied. That is what we labor for.
"Here is one, who in the night season we pleaded with God on his behalf. There is one that we talked with on his dying bed, and he hung his helpless soul upon Jesus. Here is one who was a poor drunkard. We tried to get his eyes fixed upon Him who is mighty to save and we told him that Christ could give him the victory. There are the Crowns of Immortal glory upon their heads, and then the redeemed cast their glittering crowns at the feet of Jesus; and then the angelic choir strikes the note of victory and the angels in the two columns take up the song and the redeemed host join as though they had been singing the song on the earth, and they have been.
"Oh, what music! There is not an inharmonious note. Every voice proclaims, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain' (Revelation 5:12). He sees of the travail of His soul and is satisfied. Do you think anyone there will take time to tell of his trials and terrible difficulties? 'The former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind' (Isaiah 65: 17). 'God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes' (Revelation 21:4)." 3 Selected Messages, 430:5- 431:4.
9 - A third summary statement.
"But while anguish was upon the loyal and true who would not worship the beast or his image and accept and revere an idol sabbath, One said, 'Look up' Look up" Every eye was lifted" and the heavens seemed to part as a scroll when it is rolled together, and as Stephen looked into heaven, [so] we looked. The mockers were taunting and reviling us, and boasting of what they intended to do to us if we continued obstinate in holding fast our faith. But now we were as those who heard them not; we were gazing upon a scene that shut out everything else.
"There stood revealed the throne of God. Around it were ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands upon thousands, and close about the throne were the martyrs. Among this number I saw the very ones who were so recently in such abject misery, whom the world knew not, whom the world hated and despised.
"A voice said, 'Jesus, who is seated upon the throne, has so loved man that He gave His Life a sacrifice to redeem him from the power of Satan, and to exalt him to His throne. He who is above all powers, He who has the greatest influence in heaven and in earth, He to whom every soul is indebted for every favor he has received, was meek and lowly in disposition, holy, harmless, and undefiled in life.
"He was obedient to all His Father's commandments. Wickedness has filled the earth; it is defiled under the inhabitants thereof. The high places of the powers of earth have been polluted with corruption and base idolatries, but the time has come when righteousness shall receive the palm of victory and triumph. Those who were accounted by the world as weak and unworthy, those who were defenceless against the cruelty of men, shall be crowned conquerors and more than conquerors.' [Revelation 7:9-17 quoted.]
"They are before the throne enjoying the sunless splendours of eternal day, not as a scattered, feeble company, to suffer by the satanic passions of a rebellious world, expressing the sentiments, the doctrines, and the counsels of demons.
"Strong and terrible have become the masters of iniquity in the world under the control of Satan, but strong is the Lord God who judgeth Babylon. The just have no longer anything to fear from force or fraud as long as they are loyal and true. A mightier than the strong man armed is set for their defense. All power and greatness and excellence of character will be given to those who have believed and stood in defense of the truth, standing up and firmly defending the laws of God.
"Another heavenly being exclaimed with firm and musical voice, 'They have come out of great tribulation. They have walked in the fiery furnace in the world, heated intensely by the passions and caprices of men who would enforce upon them the worship of the beast and his image, who would compel them to be disloyal to the God of heaven.
"They have come from the mountains, from the rocks from the dens and caves of the earth, from dungeons, from prisons, from secret councils, from the torture chamber, from hovels, from garrets. They have passed through sore affliction, deep self-denial, and deep disappointment. They are no longer to be the sport and ridicule of wicked men. They are to be no longer mean and sorrowful in the eyes of those who despise them.
"Remove the filthy garments from them, with which wicked men have delighted to clothe them. Give them a change of raiment, even the white robes of righteousness, and set a fair mitre upon their heads.'
"They were clothed in richer robes than earthly beings had ever worn. They were crowned with diadems of glory such as human beings had never seen. The days of suffering, of reproach, of want, of hunger, are no more; weeping is past. Then they break forth in songs, loud, clear, and musical. They wave the palm branches of victory, and exclaim, 'Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb' (Revelation 7:10).
"Oh, may God endue us with His Spirit and make us strong In His strength! In that great day of supreme and final triumph it will be seen that the righteous were strong, and that wickedness in all its forms and with all its pride was a weak and miserable failure and defeat. We will cling close to Jesus, we will trust Him, we will seek His grace and His great salvation. We must hide in Jesus, for He is a covert from the storm, a present help in time of trouble." 3 Selected Messages, 428:2-430:4.
OLD JIM AND JESUS
A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kinda shabby and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, Each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask him, "What are you doing here?" The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. "I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; As I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kinda what I say: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN." The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks." He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the alter-- he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN." Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, When no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; "The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN."
YOU CAN BE A FRIEND OF GOD
1. How was Enoch’s relationship with God described? Genesis 5:22, 24
2. What is said of Noah? Genesis 6:9
3. What was Abraham called? James 2:23
4. How did the Lord converse with Moses? Exodus 33:11
5. Was this kind of relationship only for them? Joshua 1:5
6. What is it like to be close to God? Psalm 16:11
“The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18.
7. What happens to us as we behold the glory of the Lord? 2 Corinthians 3:18
8. What time of day did David set aside for prayer? Psalm 5:3
9. Was David’s prayer limited to the morning? Psalm 55:17
10. What was Daniel’s unwavering practice? Daniel 6:10
11. What example did Jesus set for us? Mark 1:35
12. What did He often do in the evening? Matthew 14:23
13. How continually essential is prayer? 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Men ought always to pray.” Luke 18:1.
14. How close may we be to Jesus? John 15:7
“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4.
15. What reason did Jesus give for His confidence of His Father’s presence? John 8:29
16. On what basis does God fulfill our requests? 1 John 3:22
The Bible gives clear guidelines for prayer:
a. We pray to God the Father in Jesus name (John 16:23).
b. We come to God in faith, believing that He hears and will answer our prayer (Matthew 21:22; Hebrews 11:6; James 1:6).
c. We trust Him to answer our prayers according to His will (1 John 5:14).
d. Vain repetition in prayer has no value (Matthew 6:7).
e. The purpose of prayer is to bring glory to God (John 14:13).
17. What cannot I do and expect God to hear me? Psalm 66:18
In order to pray acceptably we need to make things right with anyone we have harmed (Matthew 5:23, 24), and put away any grudges we may be holding against others (Mark 11:25, 26).
18. For whom should we pray? Just for ourselves? James 5:16
19. How effective is prayer? James 5:16
“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12.
20. Why does God sometimes deny our requests? James 4:3
21. What phrase did Jesus add to His prayer? Luke 22:42
22. How vital is it that we know God? John 17:3
Knowing God is of more value than wisdom, might, and riches (Jeremiah 9:23, 24).
23. What is the secret of spiritual success? Psalm 119:11
God’s words “shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.
In the Light of God’s Word...
I desire to walk closely with God.
I choose to spend priority time every day in prayer.
I desire to make the word of God prominent in my home.
LEADER THE WORLD NEEDS MOST
Like millions of other boys, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Brock had just been called overseas to face the dark, dangerous days of war. The hearts of the family were heavy. Shortly after, the father of the soldier-son noticed a motto on the wall of his minister’s study. It read, “Keep Looking Up!” It was like a message from heaven. Returning home, he and his wife wrote this lovely gospel song.
Life has its joys and sorrows, too,
Sometimes the mists will hide our view;
If we would hope and strength renew,
There’s just one thing to do:
Refrain:
Keep looking up, thy God is still the same today,
Keep looking up, He will not fail thee, come what may;
Keep looking up, the darkest cloud will roll away,
So do not doubt, but keep looking up!
When darkened clouds have filled your sky,
And faithless friends have passed you by;
When prone to doubt or reason why,
There’s just one thing to do:
So when your faith is sorely tried,
And earnest prayers have been denied;
Whene’er you need a faithful guide,
There’s just one thing to do:
LEADER THE WORLD NEEDS MOST
DURING the last world war, when Hitler’s troops were over-running Europe, a young German lad is reported to have said: “Hitler has become so big, and Jesus Christ so small.” But Hitlers come and go, and Christ goes on forever.
He alone of all the sons of men has been able to cross the bounds of nationality, caste, and society. Men have not forgotten His visit to the world nearly 2,000 years ago. He is still adored by great and small, rich and poor, throughout the world. Songs of love and fidelity honour His name. In scores of languages, daily prayers ascend to Him from the lips of millions who would rather die than dishonour His holy name. Shortly before His death on the cross, He prophesied that His name would be preached in all the world. (Matthew 24:14). Today we witness the fulfillment of this prophecy.
He possessed neither wealth nor influence. His relatives were inconspicuous and uninfluential, yet in infancy He startled a king. In childhood He puzzled theologians. In manhood He ruled the course of nature, walked upon the billows as if they were pavements, and hushed the sea to sleep.
He healed the multitudes without medicine and without money.
He never wrote a book, yet all the libraries in the world contain numberless books that have been written about Him.
He never wrote a song, yet He furnished the theme for countless hymns and sublime oratories.
He never founded a collage, but all the schools in the world cannot boast of having as many students.
He never marshalled an army, drafted a soldier, or fired a gun, yet no leader ever had more volunteers.
Every seventh day multitudes wend their way to houses of worship to pay Him homage and respect. The names of great statesmen are soon forgotten, but the name of this Man is known in every land on earth. Though nineteen hundred years separate this generation from His crucifixion, He still lives. Herod could not kill Him. Death could not destroy Him. The grave could not hold Him. As another has said, “He stands forth upon the highest pinnacle of heavenly glory, proclaimed of God, acknowledged by angels, adored by saints, and feared by devils, as the living, personal Christ, our Lord and Saviour.”
The name of Jesus fits into every language of the earth. It needs no translation. It seems as if His name were meant to be on every man’s lips.
“Jesus,” oh, how sweet the name!
“Jesus,” every day the same;
“Jesus,” let all saints proclaim
Its worthy praise for ever.
— W. C. MARTIN.
Dr. Gordon tells how he at one time gave his little boy a jig-saw puzzle-map of the United States to put together. Surprised at how quickly the little fellow accomplished this task, he asked him how he had done it. Smiling, the boy turned the map over and showed his father a large picture of Uncle Sam on the opposite side. He had just put the man together, and in so doing had quickly solved the puzzle. Likewise, the best way to understand the Bible and piece together those portions that are difficult to understand, is to study them in the light of Christ and His experience.
No one can find a satisfactory answer to the puzzle of life without Christ. Without Him life is meaningless. With Him everything fits into a pattern that can be readily discerned.
Jesus said to His followers in the long ago, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1. These words were spoken to men who were saddened at the thought of His impending departure. They had seen Him provide food for the hungry. They had witnessed His miracles of healing. They had seen Him raise people from the dead. They loved Him dearly, and were deeply distressed at the thought of being parted from Him.
No one is happy at the thought of partings. A brief visit to an airport, a railway station, or a wharf is proof of that. Nothing stirs the emotions more then the realization that someone whom we dearly love is slipping from us into the unknown.
Jesus brought peace to the disciples’ troubled hearts by revealing something to them about the afterlife. He made it real. He spoke of a real heaven and a prepared place. “In My Father’s house are many mansions,” He assured them. “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye mat be also.” John 14:2, 3. The thought of a reunion with loved ones, of real homes and eternal happiness, is thrilling indeed.
How do we get there? “Follow Me,” He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He is the way from doubt to certainty. He is the way from earth to heaven, and He is the way from man to God. He can show us the way through the dark tunnel of the tomb, clear through till we emerge on the other side, out under the blue skies of eternity.
I like to think of Lazarus. The Scriptures record that when Jesus reached the village of Bethany, Lazarus had already lain in the tomb four days and his body had begun to decompose. Jesus stood before that tomb and uttered just three words, “Lazarus, come forth!” and Lazarus answered the call of the Life-giver. What He did for Lazarus and others He will do for you and me if we have faith in Him.
Jesus was no ordinary man. He was God in the flesh. He demonstrated this by His miracles, His works, His wonderful sayings, and by the things He didn’t do. He never uttered a word that He had to take back. He never showed any personal fear. He never made a mistake, and He never confessed a sin. Why? Because the Scriptures declare: “In Him is no sin.” 1 John 3:5. “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
This wonderful man assures His followers that He will answer their prayers. (John 14:12-14). Furthermore, He reminds us of our need of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives to convict us of sin, to guide us in the way of eternal life, and to remind us of the precious promises He has made to all who do His will. He has made it possible for the Holy Spirit to be with His people in all the world, comforting and guiding and blessing them in the Christian way.
Finally His promise to all who believe in Him is, “Because I live, ye shall live also.” John 14:19. What a glorious assurance to poor, dying humanity! What a soothing balm for broken hearts!
We must all face the question asked by the Lord Himself in the long ago, “What think ye of Christ?” Matthew 22:42.
Are you just an admirer of Him? If His life is to mean anything to us, we must learn to know Him as our personal Friend and Saviour. Apart from Him we have little hope for the future. There is nothing outside of Christ to satisfy the deep longings of the human heart. When we are face to face with the great unknown, His smile of assurance will certainly carry us through into the land of glad reunion. Like the Psalmist of old we can say, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4.
The Lord offers to us all today forgiveness of sins, peace of mind, hope for the future, and life everlasting. If you have not as yet done so, will you accept Him today as your Saviour and live for His glory till He comes? Will you look into the face of God right now and say:
FATHER, I love You and I love Jesus, and I wish to thank You both for all You have done for me. Take my life and make it wholly Thine. Keep me from sin, and help me to live in harmony with Thy divine will till Jesus comes. Amen.
I LOOK FOR AT HOME FREE OF CORRUPTION AND SIN
Millions of people are anticipating, although for different reasons, a time when they can leave this planet and migrate to another happier, less cluttered world in space. Many believe that time is running out for this overcrowded, polluted planet which has been so misused for 6,000 years. For survival purposes only, they hope to move into an orbiting satellite, made scientifically secure by fail-proof technology. There, in an artificially sustained, friendly environment, they hope to become pioneers of a new space world for restless earthlings.
Millions of others look heavenward and lay their exciting plans for more distant space travel, far beyond the edges of our solar system. Their expectations are not grounded in the scientific production of laboratory landscapes and recycled chemicals. They look for a space home totally independent of human error and influence; a home free of corrupting pride, selfishness, and sin; a home called heaven, which they believe is now in preparation for them. They expect to travel there long before the white-smocked scientist develops his satellite colony.
It is easy to empathize with those who are fed up with the distressing problems of planet earth and who want to immigrate to some more pleasing environment. But will the artificial conditions in a self-contained space colony be greatly superior to our worn-out earth? True, the chemically-created atmosphere could be more easily regulated and maintained, but what about the basic, ultimate problems of survival?
Death and disease can be no more avoided in space than they can right here. Crime and injustices would follow human beings wherever they might travel in the universe. Disappointments and heart-wrenching sorrow would continue to mark the brief course of human existence, simply because man's greatest problem is man himself. He cannot elude his own selfish nature by fleeing to another location - even to another planet. Neither can he escape from his mortality by changing environments.
What man really needs is a perfectly integrated, sinless nature which would not be subject to sickness or death, plus a perfect environment in which to live for eternity. Such an ideal arrangement is the only one which will solve all the problems and fulfill all the dreams of all the people in the world today. Perfect health, a beautiful home, an ideal climate, and eternal life - what else could anyone really wish for?
Could all these incredible conditions ever become a reality? The scientists say No। They can promise better health and a longer life span, but never immortality। They hope for cleaner air and improved working conditions, but no germ-free environment. That is the best they can do. But listen, there is a place now in preparation that will exceed all the extravagant words I have used in describing it. Most scientists deny its existence, because they don't believe there is a God who lives in a place called heaven.
BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PLAN
I want you to see that this future home now being prepared for us will actually fulfill God's original plan for man's perfect happiness. It will match the exquisite beauty and glory that God incorporated into the Garden of Eden. Isaiah described it this way: "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him." Isaiah 64:4.
The prophet here declares that "since the beginning of the world" men have neither heard nor seen the fullness of God's plan. The intimation is clear - men once did see, hear, and know of the wonderful things God has prepared for His people. In fact, that plan was revealed to Adam and Eve in all its glory. God wanted the earth to be like Eden, the Garden of the Lord. He gave four tremendous gifts to our first parents - life, a righteous character, a beautiful home, and dominion over the earth. They could have possessed those gifts forever by simply choosing to obey God in the matter of the one forbidden tree. Through obedience to His will, God intended to make the human family ideally and eternally happy.
Angels must have wept when they saw sin come into the human family for the first time. Immediately, all of those original provisions began to be withdrawn. Adam and Eve began to die according to the pronouncement of God; their dominion passed for the time into the hands of Satan; the image of righteousness was marred within them; and they were driven out of the garden home. The first three chapters of the Bible present the picture of this great loss. The entrance of sin and the story of the fall of man is graphically told in Genesis 1, 2, and 3. But the last three chapters of the Bible picture the exact opposite by telling of the restoration of all things. The exit of sin and Satan, and the removal of the curse is depicted in Revelation 20-22.
Now let me assure you that the home of the righteous is going to be right here on this earth. Jesus tells us this in Matthew 5:5. In giving His Beatitudes He said: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Mark it down well. God's people will finally dwell in this beautiful world, not as it is today, but as it shall be prepared for the saints.
This is really most natural when you think of it. God planned for His children to live here when He created the world. He placed our first parents in a paradise without spot or blemish. Now it is true that the devil came into the picture and interrupted God's plan, but he did not change that plan. God will finally carry out His great original purpose as it was revealed in the Garden of Eden. He will restore this earth to its first dominion. He will make it sinless and perfect again, and His people will live here in the beauty of Eden restored. The wicked today have more of the earth than the righteous, and I suppose the finance companies have more than both groups together. But some day, God says, the saints will inherit the earth.
Surely no one would want the earth in its present condition, because it's quite a mess now. We can thank the Lord that when He gives it back to us it will be altogether different from what we see around us today. In Isaiah 65:17 we read these beautiful words: "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth." That is the Old Testament account, but turn to the New Testament and you will read the same thing in Revelation 21:1. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth."
This old blood-soaked world of ours will be replaced completely, and all trace of sin will be removed forever. Peter describes it in these words: "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13. That is the kind of world I want - a world in which righteousness dwells! God is going to have a pure, clean planet again. Listen, if a man should neglect to take the opportunity to live there, he will commit the most colossal blunder of his life! That is the most tragic mistake anyone could ever make. May God help us to make that home a glorious assurance without fail.
It is shocking how many weak and twisted concepts of heaven people have accepted. Most folks think of it as some far-off ethereal place - and that is about all the average man knows about heaven. He believes it is "up there" somewhere. Yes, it is "up there," and we can agree with him that far, for when Jesus went away, He went up. (Acts 1:9. ) And He said: "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2, 3.
Please notice that Jesus called heaven a place. New York is a place, and heaven is going to be just as real as New York. Jesus declared that He is going to get a place ready and then come back to take us with Him to that place. This is not some ghostly, unreal idea. The righteous will not sit on clouds out there in space, playing harps and singing hallelujah choruses all during eternity. This is a very false and unbiblical picture of heaven.
The only reason a few people do not want to go to heaven is that they don't know what it will be like. You may find a person now and then who will tell you plainly that he doesn't care to go to heaven, but that is only because he has a misconception about it. Popular myths have made heaven seem dull and uninteresting.
The truth about heaven makes it one of the most exciting places imaginable. The capital city of that future glory land is called the New Jerusalem, and it is currently under construction according to the testimony of Jesus and Paul. It will cover an area greater than Virginia, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Rhode Island combined. If you find that unbelievable, don't take my word for it. Here it is in the Bible: "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." Hebrews 11:16. Here we are told that God is getting a city ready for His people. He is preparing one now.
This raises some questions. What kind of city is God building for His faithful ones? Where is it being made ready? Revelation 21:2 answers: "And I John saw the holy city ... coming down from God out of heaven." In paradise at this moment, far above the stars and planets, God is preparing mansions for you and me. Someday that gleaming white city will descend right down to the earth and settle here as the eternal home of the righteous. How big will it be on completion? Revelation 21:16 tells us: "And the city lieth foursquare, ... and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs."
You will notice that the city is perfectly square and the circumference is 12,000 furlongs, or 1,500 miles. Since a furlong is one-eighth of a mile, this means the city is 375 miles on each side. Believe it or not, 450 New York Cities could be placed inside its gigantic walls. The streets are pure gold, and the gates of it are solid pearl - not merely composed of pearls, but actually made of one solid pearl. Imagine, if you can, a city of these dimensions being right here on this earth!
BODIES OF FLESH AND BONE
I want to present in human language, if possible, some of the beauty, glory, and reality of heaven. Mark it down that heaven is very, very real. This reality is its most wonderful quality. We are going to have real bodies and take up real activities. In fact, in Isaiah 65 we are told that the redeemed will plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them; we are going to build houses, and live in them. "And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Verses 21, 22.
Now it may surprise you to learn this, but we are going to have bodies of flesh and bone in heaven. That is what the Bible teaches. Two texts will prove this point beyond question. In Philippians 3:21 we read: "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." How exciting it is to know that our present physical natures will be changed. We will have bodies just like Jesus had after He was resurrected! There is no mystery here because Jesus explained to His disciples all about that body. He said, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." Luke 24:39.
First, He appeared to them and said He had flesh and bone. Then He ate with them, and finally, He ascended bodily right out of their midst. This sequence of events in the life of our Lord answers many questions concerning our own nature in the hereafter. We will have a body made like the very same body Jesus possessed after His resurrection.
WE WILL KNOW EACH OTHER
This raises another interesting question which has perplexed millions of people: Will we know each other there? Will we be able to recognize one another in the hereafter?
Many people have the misconception that heaven will be very impersonal. The Bible reveals exactly the opposite. Although the former troubles and sorrows will be erased from the mind, we certainly will not forget our friends and family. No one will be known only as an animated number! The truth is that we will know each other better in heaven than we know one another now. Paul wrote, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12. If I understand the English language at all, this means that we will know one another better when we get up there than we do here. We see things very dimly here, and we misunderstand each other often. This will never happen in the new earth. We will know each other clearly and plainly.
Jesus said that "many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 8:11. Surely this indicates that we will recognize those great stalwarts of the Old Testament. Not only will we be forever united with those we loved on earth, but we can make the acquaintance of those mighty spiritual giants who inspired us from the pages of the Bible.
Most people love reunions and homecomings. What a delight it is to meet old friends after many years and to renew nostalgic ties of the past. Heaven would not be enjoyable if no one recognized anybody else. I have had the joy of leading thousands of people to Christ, and I anticipate meeting them around the throne of God. It is unthinkable that I would never have the assurance that even one of those souls actually held faithful to the end and received the crown of life. We will undoubtedly meet people there who were won to Christ by those we won, and we will be able to see the endless cycle of influence as it vibrated from heart to heart and life to life.
Can't you imagine the thrill of hearing someone say to you in that day, "It was you who influenced me to follow Jesus all the way. Thank you! Oh, thank you for making it possible for me to be here"? Surely that will be a great part of the reward for soul winners.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, "And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life." Philippians 4:3. Here is very interesting evidence that earthly names are recorded in the books of heaven. There is no reason to believe that those faithful workers with Paul received some kind of new, angelic names after they were converted. The very same names were written in the book of life that had been given by their Judean mothers. The same is true today. John, Bob, Tim, Betty, and Dana are faithfully recorded as being worthy of eternal life through faith in Jesus.
We get another insight into this subject in the book of Revelation. In one of his visions, John was shown the glory of the New Jerusalem. It was so dazzling that the prophet was almost overwhelmed by the glory of it. As he drew nearer to the shining walls in his vision, John saw that the foundation of the city was composed of 12 precious stones, all of different colors. Then he saw that a name was inscribed in each of the glittering foundation stones. Imagine his feelings at the moment he recognized his own name on one of those stones! All the apostles will be honored throughout eternity by having their simple Galilean names etched into the massive support stones of the New Jerusalem. What a thrill that must have been for John!
After the New Jerusalem descends to this earth at the end of the thousand years, the earth will be re-created in its original, perfect form. God's dwelling place will be among men, and the saints will dwell in both the city and the new earth. We will have a city home as well as a country estate. The mansion in the New Jerusalem is being prepared right now by Jesus. (John 14:1-3.) We will build our own house in the country to our own specifications. (Isaiah 65:21, 22.)
CITY MANSION AND COUNTRY ESTATE
Will we be satisfied with the home Jesus is getting ready for us? He said, "I go to prepare a place for you." I go to prepare a place for whom? For you! You may put your own name in there if you would like, because it is true. He went to get a place ready for you, and your name will be on it. I like that, because the Lord is a builder who knows just exactly what I would like the most.
I believe the Lord will meet each one of us and show us through the Holy City. He will escort us down those golden streets to show us all the different places of interest in the New Jerusalem. We will walk along the river of life, and He will tell us all about the tree of life, which grows over the river and bears a different manner of fruit each month. He will take us down one street after another, and finally, as we move along, we are going to see a certain mansion. As soon as we see it, there will be a responsive chord in our heart and we will think, "My, that's just what I've always wanted. That's the kind of mansion I'd like to have!" And Jesus will interrupt our thoughts and say, "This is yours. I've prepared it exactly as I knew you'd want it. This one is especially for you."
In addition, we will be able to build ourselves a country home. Remember that Isaiah promised we shall build houses and inhabit them? And we can pick ourown location. There is the whole beautiful new world before us, and we can find the choicest place that will fit our own personality and put up our house right there. I close my eyes sometimes and try to think of a place that would please me, and I can think of a lot of them that would make me happy. It will be without any spot of sin, for there will be no more curse upon the land. We will never be bothered by thieves or lose the house by fire. I have talked to poor people whose home had burned, destroying their every possession. Others have lost their life's savings to embezzlers and thieves.
Somebody says, "Well, I don't know how to build. I don't think I want to build houses." Listen, don't think it will be the kind of laborious work you see the poor carpenters in this world doing. No, it is not going to be like that at all. As for your knowledge of how to build, don't worry about it for a moment. There will be no limit to what you can learn. You will have a whole eternity before you to learn and understand. If you don't know anything about music, take a music course. Join the heavenly choir. You can go into the bass section one day and learn to sing bass, and then you can go into the tenor section and sing tenor. You can sing all the parts and learn just as much about music as you want to learn.
You can learn architecture. You can learn to build. You can learn about nature. Or maybe you want to study astronomy. Sometimes, when we look up into the heavens and see a little yellow star glimmering in the southwest sky, we say, "My, I wonder what that little star is away up there?" Listen, someday we won't need to wonder; we can just say, "I think I will go and find out." Then we can visit that star. That is what the new earth will be like. We can travel with the speed of light. Angels can do it now. Daniel started praying one day, and before he ended his prayer an angel had come all the way from heaven to his side. The angel said, "Daniel, when you began to pray, God sent me from His throne, and now I'm here in answer to your prayer." We will be able to travel like that. We can go out to visit the great, expansive universe of God and understand things that no human mind has been able to comprehend before.
Oftentimes people ask me if there will be animals in heaven. The Bible has a surprising number of references to this question. Pet lovers will have a field day there! "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain." Isaiah 11:6-9.
Sometimes we have heard of lions that have been domesticated and will allow children to play on their backs. Too often, though, we have read stories of family pets which suddenly turned upon children, attacking them like wild animals.
The ravages of sin have made animal nature unpredictable at best. But in the restored Eden of God there will be absolutely no danger of violence from lions, leopards, bears, or snakes - much less from the beloved animal pets of earth.
In this world, all of created life has to be on guard against attack at any time. The reign of tooth and claw has created an atmosphere of constant fear in the animal kingdom. Birds seem never relaxed as their heads dart from side to side, watching for potential attackers.
Tragically, it is only in that restored paradise that we will be able to relax our own guard against criminal violence from fellow human beings. For the first time since Eden men will be able to trust other men. No one will be there who could inflict harm or unhappiness on any creature.
NO SICKNESS AND NO DEATH
Since there will be no sickness, pain, or death, some occupations and professions will be totally out of place. No doctors, nurses, morticians, or insurance agents could find a soul to do business with. Financial problems will be banished forever. The very issues which cause the greatest grief now will not even exist in the minds of the saints. They will forget eternally the troubles of this life.
Won't we grieve for loved ones who are not there? No doubt we will weep when the discovery is made that they are missing, but then God shall wipe all tears from their eyes.
One of the greatest promises in the Bible is found in Revelation 21:3, 4. "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Isn't that wonderful? I tell you, if heaven were no more than these two verses describe, I'd want to be there! Wouldn't you? No more cause for sorrow - no pain, no death, no separation.
In Isaiah 33:24 we read something else about the people who will live in that new world. "And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick." Sometimes when I meet people on Sabbath morning I ask, "How are you today?" And every once in a while someone says, "I'm not feeling very well. I probably should have stayed in bed." Well, maybe they should have, but they loved the Lord so much that they wanted to come out to His house of worship. Yes, people here get sick, but in heaven we'll never have to use that expression. It will be done away with altogether. We will never even ask, "How are you this morning?" We will know how they are. They are fine. They are not sick. They feel perfect. The immortal bloom of youth will be upon every face. No one will say, "I am sick." No one will feel the desperation of seeing loved ones suffer and then slip over the brink into death.
Oh, I long for this experience more than for anything else. Children will be safe in this new kingdom God is preparing for us. Let me tell you this, parents, and you may take great comfort from it - your children will never be in danger of getting hit with automobiles. I will never forget the scene in front of the tent in our Louisville crusade. Right in the middle of the street I saw a little girl who had been hit and killed by a car. I have never been able to blot out of my mind the scene of that little girl lying all crumpled up.
The Bible says children will be there, and they are going to play in the streets and never get hurt. "And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof." Zechariah 8:5. Won't that be wonderful? Parents, have you ever heard squealing automobile brakes which made you freeze in your tracks? Then you ran to the window with your heart in your mouth to see whether your child was in the street? You have done that more than once, haven't you? But there will be no fear that your children are not safe in the new earth. And even when they play alongside the river of life, you are not going to be worried about them at all. They will not fall in and drown. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." Isaiah 65:25.
Children are going to grow up there. The Bible says they will grow up as calves in the stall, and I think we adults are going to grow up, too. We will grow up spiritually and intellectually.
Now I'm going to say something that I can't prove from the Bible. I can't give you a text for this, so you just take it or leave it; but I think we are going to have a little trouble conversing with Adam in the beginning. He was made in the image of God, and our poor minds have become dull by the inherited tendencies and weaknesses of 6,000 years of sin. We will have to develop quite a bit to catch up with Adam, but we will learn quickly.
No doubt we will grow up physically, too. I'm sure Adam was a lot taller and stronger than any man today. The Bible says there were giants in the earth in those days. One man is described in the book of Genesis as being 10 feet tall. I can well believe that Adam and Eve were 12 or 15 feet tall. I believe the entire, final curse of sin will be taken away as we grow up into the image of God, as it was reflected in Adam and Eve. What a transcending thrill it will be to walk up to this great big giant of a man and put out my hand and say, "My name is Crews." Adam will put his hand down and look at me like a child and say, "Well, I'm Adam." I want to get acquainted with Adam.
Writing in the context of the end of all things, Malachi said: "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Malachi 4:2. We often interpret this to mean that parents can watch their children grow into holy adulthood, but could it not also apply to all of us as we grow out of the stunting effects of sin? Although we cannot be dogmatic on this point, it seems likely that this could happen.
All defects will be left behind when we go there. In Isaiah 35:5, 6 we have a beautiful promise: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." One of the greatest joys will be to hear voices on every side saying, "I can see again!" and "I can hear!" and "I'm strong!" All the infirmities of old age will disappear forever and ever, and we will see only the bloom of eternal youth. Every mind will be keen and alert.
While living in India I often saw heartbreaking scenes of human suffering and human wretchedness. Beggars lined the streets in certain places - crippled, twisted in body and mind, leprous, and blind. Not even a memory or reminder of such an experience will afflict the inhabitants of this glorious earth made new.
The Bible says, "They shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. With bodies that will never tire we may explore the majestic expanse of the City of God. It will take only a tiny fragment of eternity to traverse every street of that New Jerusalem with its 1,500-mile wall of purest jasper. Every square inch of this reconstituted planet will scintillate with the rarest beauty and appeal. Those who love to travel will find heaven a special place. The entire unfallen universe will be open to our study and observation. We will be able to visit the billions of exciting planets, solar systems, and galaxies that were never spoiled by the touch of sin. We may go where we like, stay as long as we please, and return as quick as a flash. Is anything more wonderful to contemplate?
Maybe you are interested in people, as I am. Have you ever thought of the joy of getting acquainted with folk you have read about in the Bible? In my library is a book in which a man tries to explain on a natural basis how Noah got all those animals into that ark. I can't quite understand the man who tries to explain it, but I would like to sit down with Noah and talk to him; wouldn't you? That is what we will do some day. We will be able to ask him about it and find out just how he did get all those animals in, and how they stayed for over a year.
Then, I have thought about Abraham and that terrible day when he took his own son, at God's order, to kill him on top of Mt. Moriah. Oh, what an experience that must have been for Abraham! I have tried to imagine what that father felt as he toiled up the side of the mountain, knowing that with his own hand he had to kill his beloved son. Someday I want to ask Abraham about that awful experience, and he will explain just what it meant when he was about to take his own son's life.
Then, I want to talk to the centurion who stood by and saw Jesus crucified - the one who said, "Truly, this was the Son of God." I'd like to know more of the details of that terrible day, wouldn't you? And, mothers, wouldn't you like to talk to Mary? Thirty years of Jesus' life we know nothing about. Wouldn't you like to ask Mary about Jesus as a child and as a youth?
Even in our wildest imagination we find it difficult to envision those special contacts with Bible characters we have learned to love and respect. Nevertheless, it is thrilling to anticipate how it will be when we actually meet them.
UNIMAGINABLE BEAUTY AND HAPPINESS
In 1 Corinthians 2:9 we are told, "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." Now, to me that is a promise without parallel. There is nothing quite like it in all the Bible. When it says that I have never seen anything to compare with heaven, that is great enough, because I have seen some wonderful things in this world.
I have visited many countries and seen things that I have felt to be absolutely unsurpassed. I saw the beautiful Taj Mahal in India. I have seen the towering mountains of Switzerland and the lovely tulip gardens of Holland, but heaven will be immeasurably more beautiful than any of those sights. Some of my friends went up into the vale of Kashmir, over the great passes of the Himalaya Mountains. I wanted to go there, too, while living in India but there was no opportunity. They tell me that nothing on earth can compare with those beautiful valleys!
Some friends of mine in Pakistan went out into the Shangri-La country of Hunza, and they told me about the placid lakes and the beautiful mountains. It sounded wonderful; but, listen - the Bible says we have never heard about anything that would give us even the faintest idea of what heaven is really like.
The text goes on to say that we have never even imagined the true beauty of it. It has not entered into the heart of man. I have a fertile imagination and I can imagine things that are just out of this world; but still the Bible says it won't even begin to approach the beauty and glory of heaven.
One of the most pleasing aspects of that holy habitation is that it will be a clean city and a clean country. "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:27. Can you picture an entire city, much less a planet, in which no foul smell of stale cigarette smoke will ever be known? In that day God will have a limitless universe where no chemical poison can exist. The golden streets will never know the litter of beer cans and tobacco butts. Defiling the body, defiling the air, and defiling the street will be unknown in God's royal capital city.
I grew up near Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the noisome smell of tobacco hung in the air of those city streets. As one of the world's largest markets for the filthy weed, it exuded the familiar, permeating odor of aging tobacco. What a joy it was to get away from the area where so much natural beauty was negated by the miasma of nicotine pollution.
Later I responded to a mission call to India, and our family located in the beautiful city of Bangalore. After settling into our cozy rented bungalow, an east wind sprang up and we found out what lay on the other side of the red wall across the street. A tobacco factory! For a few more years we had to endure the unpleasant odor of the processed poison.
After returning to the United States I responded to an invitation to pastor a church in Louisville, Kentucky. Just as we crossed over the city line our nostrils were assailed by a very familiar smell. Tobacco again! But this time it was combined with the stench of fermented alcohol. Louisville, we discovered, was famous for its tobacco and distilleries. I am now convinced that there can be no real relief from these corrupting influences until I take up residence in that clean city of New Jerusalem.
We have alluded to many of the dramatic changes in life style that will mark those who inherit the new earth. We have tried to portray in human language the joy and delight of dwelling in a perfect environment, free from all sin and its despoiling influence. Each circumstance has been challenging and exciting. It makes us eager to leave this vale of tears as soon as possible.
Our senses are stirred by the prospect of such physical benefits as no sickness, no pain, and no death. Yet the very highest pleasure reserved for the redeemed will have nothing to do with their life style, their food, or their immortal nature. The sweetest delight of heaven will be to see Jesus face to face and to live with Him throughout eternity. What a prospect! To see the nail prints in His hands, and to open our minds to His own divine instruction in the science of salvation.
Now the question I want to leave with you is this: When that day dawns and the saints of God march into that city, will you be among them? Abraham will be there; Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Peter, and Paul will march inside the gates. When they are inside, will you be inside, too? We can make a reservation now if we so desire.
During World War II a lot of Americans were caught in Singapore, and even though the American government provided a means of helping them, they had difficulty getting out because of the vicissitudes of war. One day a very fine, well-dressed man walked into the American Embassy and said, "Book me out of here; I want to get out as quickly as possible." The ambassador said, "All right, where is your passport?" The man said, "I don't have a passport." The ambassador asked, "Aren't you a citizen?" He said, "Well, no, I really never did take out any papers, but I've lived there all my life. I have a business over there, and my bank account is there, and I love America. I'm an American." The ambassador said, "I'm sorry, but I can't do a thing for you. If you are not a citizen, I can't help you." The man went away sick with disappointment.
A little while later another man came walking in, dressed in old, shabby clothes. He spoke with a heavy accent as he asked to be booked up to leave on the next plane. The ambassador asked, "Where are your papers?" The man replied, "Here they are. I had them taken out just before I left America." And the ambassador put out his hand and said, "All the power of the United States government will stand behind you in getting out to safety."
Both of those men loved America very much. Both of them claimed to be Americans, but only one of them had his papers; only one had his passport. Only one of them could make a reservation. And you can make reservations if you want to, but you must be a citizen of that heavenly kingdom before you can do it. If you want to do it, you can make your reservation right now. When that day comes, you can join with God's people of all the ages and dwell in this beautiful city under the ideal conditions which we have described. You must not miss it.
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