Dwellers Upon the Earth
By R. Hare
“In the world, but not of the world,” must at all times illustrate the position of God’s people on this earth, but especially so in these last days. Subject indeed to the environments of life they must be, but not subject to the soul-absorbing worldliness that makes men dwellers upon the earth. God designs that the solemn warning of Christ’s second coming, and the hope of his glorious appearing, will exercise an elevating power that can lift the soul above the atmosphere of worldly gain or loss. God beholds but two classes in the world to-day,—the dwellers upon the earth, and those who seek a better country. Of Abraham it is said that he sojourned as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb. 11:10. Lot was satisfied with the goodly land, and “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” He soon became acquainted with the Sodomites, and took up his dwelling in their unholy city. The result of that contaminating citizenship can only be told in the dark record of a blighted life. The two daughters that did escape with their father brought with them the impurity of Sodom. They each committed a shameful crime, and as a result two nations came into existence that God had to destroy with the sword of vengeance. There were two classes in the days of Abraham, and there are but two classes now. Paul, in writing of these two classes to the Philippians, says of one, “Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who the things on the earth are minding.” But the other class he places in direct contrast: “For our citizenship is in the heavens, from whence also the Saviour we await.” Phil. 3:19, 20.—Young’s Translation. “Our citizenship is in heaven.” Blessed thought for the tired and weary toiler. Blessed assurance for the unknown stranger that has no resting-place here, and thrice blessed prospect for all who look for a coming Saviour. The inheritance, “undefiled, and that fadeth not away,” is still reserved in heaven. Peter speaks of our sojourning below “in fear.” 1 Peter 1:17. And we are admonished as “strangers and pilgrims” to abstain from fleshly lusts. 1 Peter 2:11. The necessity is thus presented of disconnecting from the absorbing interests that hold so many as captive dwellers upon the earth. Christ said, “Where your treasure is, there will the heart be also.” Luke 12:34. How important, then, that we have our treasure above; and if this be the case, its glory will eclipse all earthly possessions. Yes; it will do more; that treasure in heaven will give us a right in the better country. It is only those who have their minds liberated from the blinding enchantments of earthly things who will be able to comprehend the solemn warnings of the approaching end. In presenting the signs of his coming to the disciples, Christ said to them, “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” Luke 21:34, 35. This does not include those who are prepared for the Lord’s coming. Of them we read, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thess. 5:4. The “surfeiting, drunkenness, and cares of this life” distinguish the class—the great majority—taken up with these things, and it is upon them that the second coming of Christ comes as a snare and a thief. Those who dwell upon the earth will also “worship the beast.” This will include all whose names are not written in the book of life. Rev. 13:8. Having made the world their portion, they will obey the mandates of earthly governments sooner than incur loss or disadvantage. Those who seek for a better country will worship “him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:7.10 How intently the human mind has been fixed on dwelling below, even while God has been trying to lift it to the contemplation of a more enduring heritage. “Arise ye,” and depart; for this is not your rest,” is the thrice repeated message that still echoes in solemn warning over the costly palaces where the earthly dwellers would forever abide. Infinite love points to the gathering storm so soon to burst over a doomed and helpless world, and in pleading tones whispers again, “This is not your rest.” Micah 2:10. In that coming destruction the glory of man is to be humbled. The gorgeous palaces, which men have called after their own names, will fall, and mingle their beauties with the clods of the valleys. The earth dwellers will then call upon the rocks and the mountains to hide them from the presence of the Lamb. Rev. 6:15-17. But the righteous will look up and say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him” (Isa. 25:9); and as they stand amid the crumbling monuments of earthly glory, it will only be as though taking farewell of tabernacles in which they have pitched for the night. Ascending with their Lord, they will find that better country where their citizenship and treasure have been so long.