JOS. CLARKE by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 9, 1874

JOS. CLARKE

By Jos. Clarke

Adventism

Is not a new idea, but is the grand leading idea in most of the prophetic symbols and prophecies. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was a true Adventist; and since his time, all intelligent, devoted, and godly persons, have had some vague notion at least, of the great event looming up in the future. In every age this subject has been discussed with great interest, and many have desired to look into these subjects which have been reserved for the last generation.

All along in the stream of time, our race have observed festivals and rejoiced in them. Some of these are good, some of heathen character; but now we await the great festival day of God and his dear Son, when all the family of God on earth shall be raised from their long slumber and shall be united above; when at the call of God all the righteous dead shall awake, and shall arise joyfully from the earth and the sea, and, clad in immortal beauty, shall raise the song of triumph as they ascend to the cloudy chariot which is to convey them afar to the home of their Father on high. Who shall describe the splendor of that scene when all the angelic host shall visit the earth and witness the resurrection. Then for the first time Heaven shall be silent, see Rev. 8:1, as all the flaming, dazzling host will claim the privilege of being present at the grand and sublime opening of the seventh seal. Rev. 8:1.

As the mariner when he first descries the land sees only the dim outline, so in the past, devout students of prophecy have had only a vague and obscure idea of the great day of God: but as we come nearer to this event, and prophecy has been more fully and literally fulfilled, we discern, with greater and more distinct clearness, the scenery on and near the land ahead.