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1 Thess. 4:18

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 29, 1873

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 41, No. 19.

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1 Thess. 4:18.

By A. S. Hutchins

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” While the great majority of professed Christians have no real faith in, or love for, the immediate second advent of our Lord and Saviour to this earth, and can see no special force or beauty in the above scripture as applicable at the present, more than at any other time, there are those whose hearts move with emotions of joy, as they read these words. With the precious promises of the context, they are comforted, and with them they also comfort others.
Promised blessings of priceless worth to the humble, obedient servant of God, are here. Earth may count on treasures of riches and wisdom; of knowledge and power; we would not undervalue them; but compared with the reward held out to the overcomer, they are as a bubble to the mighty ocean; or as the fine dust of the balance, to myriads of worlds.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope.” The grave holds in its cold bosom many of our dear friends. Locked in silent slumber, and forever shut away from our embrace, we should be deprived of the inspiring hope of again meeting them, were it not for the comforting promise of the resurrection of the dead. We need not sorrow for such as have fallen asleep in Jesus, as those sorrow who have no hope. For the Life-giver is coming. Yes, the signs bespeak him near, EVEN AT THE DOOR.
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For 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.”
Herein is set forth the promise that the Lord shall come again. Said the angels to the men of Galilee, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven.” Acts 1:11. Personally, and visibly, he passed out of the sight of those who anxiously gazed upon him as he ascended to the Father. And he shall so come in like manner; not spiritually, not mystically. He will descend with the glory of his Father with the holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and everywhere the sleeping saints will awake, and come forth, with rapturous songs of triumph, and everlasting victory, over death and the grave. “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory?”
Now, the living saints, who have waited for the Lord, have loved and looked for his appearing, shall be changed, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” and caught up together with those who have arisen from their dusty beds to meet him in the air; “and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Dear reader, does your hearts burn with love to him who died that we might live? Do you remember his agony in the garden, and upon the cross, where he poured out his life for us? Do you desire to see him when he comes in majesty and power, the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS? Do you desire his return as you would that of a dear friend? If so, you will watch with the most intense anxiety every sign which shall unmistakably herald his speedy approach. Your heart will beat high and warm in joyous anticipation of that heavenly meeting, where friends long separated will meet to part no more. All the children of God, from the first who learned to revere his holy name, and to obey his righteous precepts, to the last one folded in the arms of divine love, now arise to meet their descending Lord. Hail happy moment! Hail victorious conquerers! The long battle of life is fought. Victory is gained. No more tears shall be shed. No more sorrow or grief shall be your lot. Heaven is secured. The whole family of God are saved, forever saved. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
“Saints, lift your heads; that day is near, When your Redeemer shall appear, To take the kingdom and the crown, And make his ransomed church his own.”
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Battle Creek, Mich.