p. 77 | The Blessing by R. M. KILGORE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 18, 1873

The Blessing.

By R. M. KILGORE

In this mortal state we are the recipients of countless blessings bestowed upon us by our kind Heavenly Father, but that which we esteem most is life. Though we are called upon to share in trials, disappointments, afflictions, or persecutions; yet life is sweet. Were we promised all the honor and treasures of earth, to relinquish the uncertain hold we have upon life the answer would be, No. Life is worth more. “For,” says Christ, “what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul (life), or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (life)?”

This life is limited. The days of men are few and full of trouble. “The living know that they shall die,” yet they cling tenaciously to life, and dread the approach of the foul destroyer, which hastens them to the “land of darkness,” where there is no work, knowledge, device or wisdom, and where “the memory of them is forgotten.” This is the portion of all. “There is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked,” “and there is no discharge in that war.”

But is this man’s finality? Is that which man esteemed so highly, to be abandoned without the hope of recovery? Job inquires, “If a man die, shall he live again?” Jesus answers, “I am the resurrection and the life.” “The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live,” and “all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” A marked distinction is here shown in favor of one of these classes. Why is the “resurrection of life,” granted to one and not to the other? Because “they have done good.” The apostle Paul says: God “will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor, and immortality [he will render] eternal life.” Rom. 2: 6, 7.

Here characters are to be formed, and this is the fitting up place for another life in the future. What are the prerequisites? What is the standard of character? David, in the fifteenth psalm, asks: “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill” (of Zion)? Ps. 15: 1. He answers: “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” And in the twenty-fourth psalm, in answer to the same questions, he assures him who is found in possession of this character that “He shall receive the blessing from the Lord.” When singing of the showers of blessings that fall like the gentle dew upon the “holy hill,” or mountains of Zion; he says: “For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.” Ps. 133: 3.

Though God has promised his people an inheritance in the new earth, mansions in the golden city, “crowns of glory,” “palms of victory,” with a seat at his right hand, that he would feed them with fruit from the tree of life, and give them to drink of the river of life, that they should “see the King in his beauty” and “delight themselves in the abundance of peace;” yet, should he not bestow that pre-eminent blessing, all would be very unsatisfactory. Without this, no other blessing could be enjoyed. It would not be “the fullness of joy,” because the pleasure could not be forevermore.

Will that life to come be of such a nature as to render satisfaction to its recipients? If it were limited, it would not. Nothing short of everlasting life will satisfy fully, the longing desire of, and the strong attachment we have for, life. So God declares of those who set their love upon him, “I will deliver him and show him my salvation.” Ps. 91: 14, 16. “And mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isa. 65: 22. Hence with sweet assurance and confidence in the promises of God, David says: “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” What more could he ask for? Nothing. When he awakes in the morning of the resurrection, holy satisfaction rests upon his brow; for then “he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,” whose leaf shall not wither. When the apostle Peter’s eyes shall be opened to behold that “joy which is unspeakable and full of glory,” he is satisfied because he wears a crown that “fadeth not away;” and though the apostle Paul could look back with pleasure upon the race he had run, the battle he had fought, and the victories he had gained, yet he anxiously looked forward to the time when he should receive that “crown of righteousness,” which was laid up for him. Will he be satisfied then? Yes, because it is “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Oh! precious boon! Who will be found worthy to receive it? What a blessing to live a life that shall measure with that of God’s? Can it be gained? What are the conditions? “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Come unto me.” “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me,” for, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.”

Then which shall we hear? the welcome words, “Well done,” “come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom,” or the doleful fiat, “Depart, ye cursed,” ye knew your Master’s will, but ye did it not? Remember, “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6: 23.

“Heed not the tempter’s siren voice, A deep with dangers rife; Mortal! thou hast a better choice— Life, life, eternal LIFE.”

R. M. KILGORE.