A REPRESENTATIVE COMPANY
By A. Smith
A. SMITH
(Grandville, Mich.) “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” This same company is finally seen standing on Mount Zion in heaven, and it is said of them that they were redeemed from among men, and that they follow the Lamb (Christ) whithersoever He goeth. Rev. 14: 1-5. They are to visit all the worlds, and view the works of God. See “Early Writings,” page 33. Our world is the only place in the universe where sin has entered. The inhabitants of the other worlds have heard of, but have never experienced, the terrible consequence of sin. Jesus will go with this redeemed people to those worlds, that their inhabitants may see with their own eyes a company of those whom He has redeemed. Every class and condition of men, women, and children must be represented. It will evidently take one hundred and forty-four thousand different experiences to embrace all human conditions in this world of sin. There will have been experiences of excruciating suffering from disease, and examples of as robust health as mortal man can possess. There will be examples of opulence and wealth, of weakness and dire poverty. There will be representatives of the noble and respectable as viewed by man, and of the lowest and most depraved. They will be gathered from every nation and color and condition, and of all languages,—a company redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and beautiful in their robes of righteousness and crowns of glory, which only the royal sons and daughters of heaven’s King can wear. You may not know just now why you are having so many trials that your life seems little more than a failure; but Jesus may be giving you an experience that He is giving to no other, that you may have something to tell in other worlds about the discouragements and difficulties over which Christ has given you the victory. Arise in the strength of Israel’s God, and assert your prerogative as a son or daughter of the heavenly King. Do not bow down your head and murmur; but rise above ill feelings and discouragements, and triumph in Christ. The Lord will want no person in that company who cannot tell of victories won. The command is, “Lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” If you do not fill the place that God wishes you to in that company, remember that He will not give you a place of your own choosing, but will have to reject you entirely, and delay His coming till He can find some one who will be willing to take your place. Do not throw away your crown, or surrender your place in the ranks of that chosen people. They are to sing a song before the throne of God that no others in heaven can sing. It will be a song of victory. See Rev. 14: 1-3; 15: 2-4. Will you join in that anthem of redemption?