Departing and Being With Christ by S. THURSTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 5, 1911

Departing and Being With Christ

By S. THURSTON

S. THURSTON

— “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ: which is far better.” Phil. 1:23.

To some the foregoing scripture seems “hard to be understood,” and “they that are unlearned and unstable” wrest it, “as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16. Allow me to illustrate this text.

We will suppose that Mr. Simon resides in Los Angeles, and has a son George, living in Chicago. The eldest son, who resides with the father, is about to be married, and very elaborate preparations are to be made for the wedding. George receives a cordial invitation to attend. He feels worn with cares, and desires to depart, and be with his elder brother. But his business needs him; so he is in a strait betwixt the two. But he decides to go. He steps into a car of the overland train at Chicago, lays off all cares, and begins to rest. The next day after his departure, Harry Dunlap calls at his place of business, and inquires for George Simon, and is informed that he has gone to Los Angeles. But is he in Los Angeles?—O, no! he is in the car, where he remains until he arrives at his destination a few days later.

His elder brother is anxious to see George, so he meets the early train at the station at the end of the journey, and quickly passes through the car, and readily finds George, who is sleeping. He says: “George, awake!” What a happy meeting! George bids a glad farewell to the dusty car, and with his elder brother steps into the finest automobile in the city; and they speed along until they reach the gates of the father’s home. And, lo, there is the father, with friends and neighbors, waiting to welcome George to the land of sunshine, fruits, and flowers!

So with weary Paul, lashed, stoned, and imprisoned, all for Christ’s sake. He desired to depart, and be with Christ, his Elder Brother, which was far better. And yet the gospel work had need of him; so he was in a strait betwixt the two. When he did depart this life, he went into the dusty grave, and his life was hid with Christ in God. Was Paul with Christ the day he departed this life?—O, no! no more than was George Simon in Los Angeles the day he departed from Chicago. So with Job: when he departed this life, the grave was his house, in which he waits until his change comes; then the Lord will call, and he will answer. Job 17:13; 14:13-15. Just so with Paul, who believed and taught this same truth. 1 Thess. 4:13-18. Christ also taught the same thing. John 5:28, 29.

Yes, dear reader, Paul will remain in the grave until the wheels of time roll the car of salvation on to its journey’s end. Then Christ, who is his life, will appear, and Paul will appear with him in glory. Col. 3:3, 4. O, what a happy meeting that will be, when Christ, our Elder Brother, will come to awaken not only Brother Paul, but all the righteous sleepers of all ages! How his voice will resound o’er land and sea, when he says, “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust!” Isa. 26:19. And what a chorus of voices will respond to that call, as the sleepers come forth, bidding adieu to the grave, singing the song of victory, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Cor. 15:55.

What visions of glory will encircle the heavens in that eventful day! Not the best motor car in Los Angeles, but the chariots of fire, brought by our Elder Brother from the livery of heaven, with all the holy angels, to gather and escort the repentant sons and daughters of Adam to the home of the Father, in the paradise of heaven, forevermore to be adopted as sons and daughters into the family of God. How those chariots will speed on, gilding their fiery pathway with glory, until they reach the gates of the celestial city, the Father’s home, in the fatherland! No words can describe the added visions of the glory of heaven, the immortal crowns of glory, the marriage feast, the glad welcome from the Father and the heavenly family gathered from every star-gemmed province in the whole universe of God. All will be there waiting and watching for the Chief Shepherd as he comes home, bringing the one lost sheep, this one lost world. What music, what hosannas of rejoicing, as he nears the gates! What a procession as they march up the broad, golden avenue to the marriage supper, the wedding feast!

Summerland, Cal.