Nearing Home by N. J. Lucas

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 2, 1869

Nearing Home.

By N. J. Lucas

THANK God, we are nearing home. Probation is swiftly passing away. Soon, if faithful, we shall gain the haven of eternal rest; and oh! how sweet to the believer in Christ, as he travels life's uneven pathway, to know that this world is not always to be our home. How glorious the thought that there is a rest for the children of God. How blissful the anticipation of soon being ushered into the presence of Jesus and angels, and that when there, nothing can ever mar our perfect peace. No sickness, no sorrow, no parting with loved ones; nothing will ever cause the silent tear drop to flow.

Here we see much that seems lovely, but it is fleeting, and soon passes away. We love our friends, we love to enjoy their society here; but they, too, are frail, dying creatures. Death enters our homes and bears our loved ones away to the silent tomb. Ever and anon, my mind wanders to where sleep the loved forms of near and dear ones; but they are secure, they know no care; they know none of the sorrows of this life; but their sleep in the grave is short. Jesus' pleading in the heavenly sanctuary is most over. Soon he is coming to gather his jewels from every nation and clime, and in view of this, let us, dear brethren and sisters, strive to walk humbly before God; let us honor him by keeping all his holy commandments, that we may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city.

And you, dear readers, who know not God experimentally, let one who loves you, invite you to come to Christ. He loves you, and is pleading for you. Cast your care all upon Jesus. Ask God through his dear Son to pardon all of your sins. Love him, believe him, and obey him; and when Jesus comes, with all of the dear saints of God, thou shalt receive a crown of life that fadeth not away.

Time is short. What is done must be done quickly. Men are growing more bold and blasphemous; they talk lightly of the law of God and our blessed hope; they trample his holy commandments beneath their feet. How regardless they are of the solemn time in which we are living. How little they realize that these are the closing hours of time; though, they are being faithfully warned of their danger if they do not repent and come to Christ.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us be more faithful than ever before. We have all of us a work to do. Then let us do it cheerfully. Probation is almost ended. We are nearing home. Then let us be up and doing; let us work while the day lasts, that we may be able to finally say, in the language of the apostle, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8. N. J. LUCAS.

Canton.