p. 163 | Untitled article by J. G. Gregory, M. A.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 27, 1867

BEHOLD! HE COMETH WITH CLOUDS.

By J. G. Gregory, M. A.

In the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles we are told that when Jesus had spoken his last words to his disciples, “while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven, as he went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, which said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven.” “This same Jesus,” then, who had arisen from the grave, who had been crucified, who had dwelt and ministered among the sons of men; who had been born of a human mother in Bethlehem;—this same Jesus shall most surely come again “in like manner” as he went. Descending instead of ascending; the clouds unfold to reveal his manhood instead of closing round about, to hide it from our sight.

But let us follow the Almighty Saviour by the steps of his descent. “The Man Christ Jesus” quits the Throne of Intercession at the right hand of Heaven, and advances toward the earth. The glory of the Father’s Majesty surrounds him. The holy angels bear him company. Thus, to an appointed place in heights above the world, he makes descent, and there a pause ensues. The trumpet sounds in hearing of the dead in Christ, and they arise from vaulted tomb, and earth, and stream, and sea, to meet him. It sounds, moreover, in the hearing of the living saints, that their frail mortal put on immortality, and that they ascend to be forever with the Lord. And they obey the summons.

But when the multitudes who have arisen and ascended to their Lord and are in his presence, what shall follow? Surely eye of man hath never seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived—the joy, the bliss, the glory! O think of the re-union of those loving ones the grave has so long severed! Husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and friends, united now to live and love forever! No more to shed a tear! no more to doubt, nor sin, nor suffer! No friend to cause another pang of grief to friend! The name of enemy unknown! All perfect peace, rest, joy, praise, glory, everlastingly. And the brightness!—Oh, the brightness of the hosts of Heaven! those holy angels, close attendants on the King of kings, each one so beautiful, so good, so full of love. To have such beings for companions! To converse on the marvels of redeeming grace! To hear their words declare the praise of their Lord and ours! How wonderful! But then again—more glorious still—the vision of the Almighty King! “The King in his beauty!” “The altogether lovely!” To gaze upon his glory now, would be beyond endurance. We cannot look upon the face of God and live. But then we shall have power to look upon him, and beholding him arrayed in all the brightness of the Father’s glory, shall have grace to praise him as holy angels do, and love him with a love which these alone can exercise whose once sin-ruined souls have been redeemed and saved.

But let us glance for a moment at ourselves as we shall be when thus we look upon, and love, and praise him. Ourselves—in new array—how changed! how wholly changed! this frail corruption having put on incorruption, and this weak mortal, immortality, no longer shall we bear the stamp of sin, or its sad consequences, but we shall be like the Lord. It is not said we shall be like the angels, but we shall be like the Lord—like Christ! washed in his blood, clothed in his righteousness, made holy by his Spirit, complete in him. Not only so, but more—we shall be glorified together with him in his own transcendent glory. “Sons, moreover, in his Sonship; Kings, in his Kingship;—Priests, in his Priesthood.” Oh, what a blissful sequel to the toils and griefs of earth! Can we now see our title clearly to this blessed state? Would this glory be our portion if the Lord were to come now! If not,—Oh, why not? Not because of any want of love or grace on God’s part. Far from it; for there is a full and free salvation through the faith of Jesus, offered to each sinner upon earth. Christ died for all, and God wills all men to be saved. Oh, search the Scriptures; see if such a thing can be as a believer in Christ Jesus lost. Nay, you will but search in vain. It cannot be; thank God. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so is the Redeemer lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Let us believe then, fellow travelers to eternity, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we shall live, yea, life is ours, a life which cannot end, it is the present—immediate—portion of the weakest child of faith.—J. G. Gregory, M. A.