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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 30, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 59.

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Hope

By A. J. Bristol

A. J. BRISTOL.
“Now abideth faith, hope, and love.” The first and the last of these three abiding graces seem to have held the attention of Christian speakers and writers almost to the obscuration of hope. But important as are faith and love,—the graces which mark the beginning and the ending of Christian growth,—we should not forget that hope occupies the central place, and may well be compared to the keystone of the arch.
While we are told that “all men have not faith,” it long ago became a proverb that “hope springs eternal in the human breast.” Throughout childhood’s happy years we are led along by the rosy pictures hope paints of what is beyond; and while youth gives some promise of what may be, hope almost makes us forget the joys of the present in anticipating the satisfaction we shall have in the achievements of our manhood and womanhood.
Too often these anticipations are not realized; but hope bids us look forward to the generation to come, for the realization of what was denied us. So, by keeping the bright lamp of hope constantly burning from generation to generation, the Lord has kept the world from settling into the blackness of despair.
The only source of regret in the experience of mankind with reference to hope is that so many set their minds on a false or unsatisfying hope. The man of business can at best only hope for that measure of success which will enable him to outstrip a rival and gain a temporary advantage. The hopes of other men are centered on acquiring social or political power over their fellow men; but so often the coveted place, when once attained, reveals how absolutely one man is in the power of another. Great financial success is the goal of many another’s hope; but how many find, only too late, that the Lord spoke truly of the rich man, “He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.”
In contrast with all this, the Christian’s hope is most satisfying, for “godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” 1 Tim. 4:8.
This hope of eternal life has sustained God’s people in all ages. Enoch prophesied of the coming of the Lord, and Paul makes it plain that the “hope of Israel” is the hope of “the resurrection of the dead.” And since those who attain unto the resurrection of the dead cannot die any more, there will be ample time for the realization of every worthy object.
The acquirement of knowledge will be one of our chief delights, and there will be no danger of being led astray by false theories, or by misinterpretations of facts discovered. Our field of study will be as broad as the universe, for we read that these shall “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Rev. 14:4. Well may the apostle call it a “blessed hope.” Titus 2:13.
Not only shall we be blessed with eternal life free from all sorrow and pain, but we shall be permitted to see face to face our Redeemer, who has purchased all this for us at so great personal sacrifice. “Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty.” Isa. 33:17. “We shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2.
“Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3. Glorious as is the prospect before the servants of God, no less inspiring is the thought of being changed into the likeness of Christ’s character. That we who have fallen low through sin can actually become Christlike through grace, is no less an evidence of God’s love for us than that he should receive usto dwell with him at whose “right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Ps. 16:11. There would be no pleasure, however, to one whose heart is a stranger to the pure, unselfish love of Christ; therefore he only has a well-grounded hope who has Christ in him, the hope of glory. See Col. 1:27.
Takoma Park, D. C.