They Shall See God by Rufus A. Underwood

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 1, 1915

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 22.

“They Shall See God”

By Rufus A. Underwood

Promise to the Pure in Heart—May the Vile and Impure Be Cleaned?

By Rufus A. Underwood

This is the sixth independent article by Elder Underwood on the fundamentals of the gospel as set forth in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. Each number is complete in itself, and what has gone before is not essential in order to understand and enjoy this one. EDITOR.

“BLESSED are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matt. 5: 8. Surely “never man spake like this Man.” John 7: 46. There is no uncertainty in this utterance, for “He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matt. 7: 29.

Purity of heart is essential to admittance into the kingdom and companionship of Christ. No foul, unclean mind can be admitted into the presence of God. David prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, O God. . . . Cast me not away from Thy presence.” Ps. 51: 10, 11. The wise man said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence [margin, above all keeping]; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 4: 23.

VEXED WITH THE CONVERSATION

There is nothing more disgusting than to fall into the company of a low, sensual, evil-minded person, whose utterances breathe forth the foul revelings of an unclean soul. Of Noah and Lot it is said: “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the Flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.)” 2 Peter 2: 5-8.

How grateful should all be that the unclean are forever barred against entering into the kingdom and city of God! “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Rev. 21: 27.

SEE HIM AS HE IS, AND BE LIKE HIM

In words of thrilling eloquence, the beloved disciple invites us to behold the wondrous love of God: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3: 1-3.

Every one who has the hope of seeing Christ as He is, and being transformed into His image of glory, must be pure and honest in the sight of God. Can a poor, depraved soul become changed and made a suitable companion of the pure and holy?—Yes. If this were not so, I would not pen these lines.

WASHED AND JUSTIFIED

The apostle Paul, after enumerating various classes of criminals among the impure, says: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6: 11.

The beloved John on the Isle of Patmos had a view of those who had been cleansed with the blood of Christ and washed from their sins. He breaks forth in these words of astonishment: “What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they ? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Rev. 7: 13-17. Also Rev. 1: 5, 6. “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.” It is then that “the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it.” Isa. 25: 8.

Here is cleansing and kingly exaltation,

even to those who were defiled by sin. The praise called forth by our greatest gratitude for the redeeming love of Christ can be but a feeble expression of what God has pledged to accomplish for all who will accept the cleansing, purifying, and renewing work of Christ, wrought through the redeeming grace of the Son of God.