Planning for Eternity by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Sep 8, 1904

Planning for Eternity

By Editor

Editorial

Planning for Eternity

It certainly is not the part of wisdom to plan as if the short span of life allotted to us in this world is all there is for us. Our days here are comparatively few, and they are often filled with troubles and disappointments. With the large majority it is a struggle to maintain themselves and their families, and the number is very limited who are able to acquire much in this world. Many build air-castles in Spain, where they plan to enjoy unalloyed happiness, but such hopes are generally disappointed, and they become sick at heart on account of hope deferred. To those who will fall down and worship him, Satan still promises the kingdoms of this world; but having secured their homage, he fails to complete the bargain. He who narrows his outlook to the horizon of this present world, and plans only with reference to the things of this world, completely fails to appreciate the possibilities which are held out to every believing soul. We should plan for eternity. All that we do here should be done in the light of eternity. This short life is but a time of preparation for the future immortal life. We should not waste it in trying to follow the fleeting phantom of pleasure, nor in seeking after those riches which take to themselves wings, nor in attempting to gratify a merely selfish ambition for place and power. There is something better than all this. Accept God's estimate of things. Remember that “the world passeth away.” Remember that “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Remember that “the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” We should plan according to God's eternal purpose. We should plan for an unending life in a universe free from sin and its consequences. We should plan, according to the promise to the overcomer, to sit with our Redeemer on his throne, and to enjoy the blessedness of his presence forevermore. We should plan for eternity.

No Neutral Ground

Christianity is affirmative and positive. A Christian can not regard with indifference the great controversy now drawing to its close, exerting no special influence in favor of right and truth. Every Christian has enlisted in the Lord's army to engage in a constant warfare against sin, and no true soldier spends his time on the battle-field idly watching the conflict without indicating by word or act to which army he belongs. He who attempts to do this sort of thing soon loses the respect of both sides. This has always been true, but it is especially true in this last campaign, when so much is at stake. Satan has been successful thus far in perverting to a greater or less degree every great reform movement, and in bringing confusion into the ranks of those who started out to revive the pure gospel in the hearts of men. He has attempted to do the same thing with this advent movement, and this effort has been sufficiently developed so that its true character ought to be clearly perceived. The time has now come for every loyal believer to take his stand openly and positively in favor of the original truths of this message, and against such a perversion of these fundamental doctrines as would wreck this whole movement. “A fierce conflict is raging between two powers,—the power of light and the power of darkness. This conflict has a vital interest for the people of God. The question that is asked us is, Who will stand on the Lord's side? You can not remain neutral, and yet be Christ's followers, his faithful servants.” We are not to conduct a personal warfare against any man, but we are to be uncompromising in our warfare against evil, and we should not try to shirk the responsibility of taking a positive attitude in the present crisis for fear that we should appear to be in opposition to some man. Principles are greater than men. This message is greater than any man. Any further attempt to be neutral will be most disastrous in its results. “The time has come to take decided action.”