Our Blessed Hope by S. Elmer

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 5, 1866

Our Blessed Hope.

By S. Elmer

THE Saviour is coming to save his afflicted people, to unbind the captive and let the oppressed go free, to give joy for heaviness, and beauteous garments for those of mourning, to cheer the lonely heart and dry the mourner's tears, to bring those loved ones from the land of the enemy, to re-unite the sleeping saints; in short, to remove the curse and bring again the happiness which was forfeited by the transgression of God's holy law in the fall of man. But notwithstanding all this, there are many who profess to be the disciples of their Lord and Master, and talk of his suffering for them, who still do not like to have the Saviour come. They see not the signs. It will not do to tell them anything about the Lord's coming. My father was speaking to one of the Baptist order about the coming of the Lord, when the man replied, "It isn't likely the Lord will come in a million of years." Why is this? Is it not because their hearts and treasures are here?

But blessed be the Lord, there are those who are anxious for that event. They will hail his coming with delight. To such he will appear the second time without sin unto salvation. They can now look forward with joy and sing,

He comes, the mighty Conqueror comes, To wake the righteous dead, And then on wings of love they'll soar, Triumphant with their Head. He comes to loose the galling chains That bind the captive here, He comes to cheer the lonely heart, And dry the mourner's tears. He comes to take the faithful hence, To yonder world so fair, How beautiful will be that home Which Jesus doth prepare.

S. ELMER.