That Blessed Hope by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1905

That Blessed Hope

By W. A. S.

We are not in the world merely to stand still and be good. We are going somewhere. This advent movement ends at the gates of the city of God in this our generation. Not for a moment must we forget the aim and goal of all our hopes.

It was the hope of actually getting to the celestial city, and the determination to be there at all hazards, that sent Bunyan’s pilgrim through the Slough of Despond, up the Hill Difficulty, on past every trial and discouragement, and into the haven at last. There was a wealth of experience in the reply that Christian gave, in the allegory, when Prudence asked him if he could remember any means by which at times discouragements and depression and perplexities were vanquished. He said: “When my thoughts wax warm about whither I am going, that will do it.”

There is nothing like it—the thought of the glorious city and the Saviour’s soon coming to take his children home. When thoughts of these wax warm in our hearts, how courage grows, and depression

flees away. There is actual power in this hope of seeing Jesus coming in the clouds to end the conflict. “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” Truly,—

“There is a blessed hope, More precious and more bright Than all the joyless mockery The world esteems delight.”

The glory of the celestial city beckons us on. Thus it is that not only the Spirit, but the bride, the heavenly Jerusalem, says, Come. Between us and the kingdom lies only the unfinished work committed to us. We must not forget night or day the one work. It is to carry this message as a witness quickly to every nation and tongue, and “then shall the end come.”

It is no time to talk merely about the progress of the work. The finishing of the work is the cry now. It is this finishing of the work that the devil will oppose with all his power. But John in the Revelation saw this message speeding to every tongue and people. He heard it swell into the loud cry, and heard the shout of victory at last. He saw this very advent people, cleansed and purified by trial, marching into the city of God.

Let us keep warm in our hearts the thoughts about whither we are going.

W. A. S.