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Amen!

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 30, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 48.

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“Amen!”

By J. W. HIRLINGER

J. W. HIRLINGER
The Spirit of God tells us that “the church of God below is one with the church of God above. Believers on the earth and the beings in heaven who have never fallen constitute one church. Every heavenly intelligence is interested in the assemblies of the saints who on earth meet to worship God. In the inner court of heaven they listen to the testimonies of the witnesses for Christ in the outer court on earth, and the praise and thanksgiving from the worshipers below is taken up in the heavenly anthem, and praise and rejoicing sound through the heavenly courts because Christ has not died in vain for the fallen sons of Adam.
“While angels drink from the fountainhead, the saints on earth drink of the pure streams flowing from the throne, the streams that make glad the city of God. O that we could all realize the nearness of heaven to earth! When the earth-born children know it not, they have angels of light as their companions. . . . Let us all bear in mind that in every assembly of the saints below are angels of God, listening to the testimonies, songs, and prayers. Let us remember that our praises are supplemented by the choirs of the angelic host above.
“Then as you meet from Sabbath to Sabbath, sing praises to him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ‘Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,’ let the heart’s adoration be given. Let the love of Christ be the burden of the speaker’s utterance. Let it be expressed in simple language in every song of praise. Let the inspiration of the Spirit of God dictate your prayers.
“As the word of life is spoken, let your heartfelt response testify that you receive the message as from heaven, we This is very old-fashioned, I know; but it will be a thank-offering to God for the bread of life given to the hungry soul. This response to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit will be a strength to your own soul and an encouragement to others. It will give some evidence that there are in God’s building living stones that emit light.”—“Testimonies,” Vol. VI, pages 366, 367.
How shall we let our heartfelt response testify that we receive the word of life as from heaven?—“Let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.” Ps. 106: 48. “I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks?” 1 Cor. 14: 15, 16.
It is “very old-fashioned” to respond by saying, “Amen! Praise ye the Lord,” as the word of life is being spoken. Yes, it is as old-fashioned as Christ himself, for he is called “The Amen.” Rev. 3: 14. It is as old-fashioned as Num. 5: 22; 1 Kings 1: 36; 1 Chron. 16: 34. “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. . . . And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.” Just so the Lord would have us do. Men and women?—Yes, “all the people.”
Why are there not as many hearty amen responses to the word of God spoken in our congregations as there were years ago? Is not our salvation nearer? Is not that “blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ,” a more real, living, precious truth now as we stand on the very border of the heavenly Canaan? My inmost soul can not refrain from responding “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22: 20. “Even so” “let all the people” who love his appearing say “Amen!”
The minister of God can deliver the messages of inspiration with more freedom and courage, and the lay member can pray and testify better, when they are encouraged by hearty “Amens.” So let us all be Aärons and Hurs to hold up and steady the ministers’ and one anothers’ hands by our amen props.
However, we ought not to say amen from the lips only, but have the amen spirit in our hearts; then out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak, and we shall get a blessing by so responding.
As the minister or other person is giving to the flock meat in due season, speaking the truth as it is in Jesus, let our response testify that we receive the message as from heaven, and in this way strengthen our own souls, and encourage others. “Quench not the Spirit” by resisting its promptings. The Lord tells all the people to “say Amen.” So when we fail to obey him in this respect, we hold back the blessing of God. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” “Amen, and Amen.”
Lancaster, Pa.