The Heavenly Rest by Nettie T. Holt

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 24, 1871

The Heavenly Rest.

By Nettie T. Holt

We look with longing eyes through faith to a rest above. Yes, sweet rest! where sorrows and pain, doubts and fears, envy and hate, may never again molest us. It is a word which tired lips often repeat. It speaks of hope to those whose hearts are oppressed with the toils of the world and cheers them on their rugged pathway. We are prompted by the promise of rest not to live careless, aimless lives but to heed our Saviour’s command, “Go work in my vineyard.” We may search the whole world over, still there is a want no earthly good can give, a craving which forbids the soul to rest. Some seek wealth to satisfy their restlessness, some seek pleasure, fame and power, and run the short race of life with pride and popularity. Some seek for pleasures in friendship and love, never once thinking to look above to the Author of true affection without whose sanctifying influence upon their hearts, they will change, smiles fade, and their poor refuge crumble to decay.

Where can we find real pleasures? Where can we find perfect rest but in Jesus? We may be cast with bitter scorn aside by those whom we love. Shall it under any circumstances impede our labor to enter into that rest remaining for those who fear the Lord? How may we obtain that heavenly rest? “Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city,” Rev. 22: 14. When may we obtain it? When “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4: 16, 17.

This is the rest we look forward to, dwelling with Jesus to leave him no more. Who can describe the rapture of that meeting when partings are over?

NETTIE T. HOLT.

Keene, N. Y.