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What Seek Ye?

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 22, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 16.

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What Seek Ye?

By Wm. O. Beecher

Preparation for the Great Test.

That man is a seeker no one will deny. There lies in the bosom of every member of the human family a desire for something superior to that which he already has, and to obtain it he presses on, in spite of the difficulties that may arise in his path. A glance into the various classes of men will reveal this very clearly. Nearly all are striving to attain to something higher, something above where they are.
To gain a higher standard in an honest occupation is good in its way; but the danger is that our ambition may cause us to lose sight of something better, something of greater import than all such attainments. These things last but for a while; but there is another attainment—a higher calling—that is everlasting, which the Lord admonishes us to seek after.
In the fires of the last day everything that is not of God will be consumed. Thus saith the Lord, “Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains.” Joel 2:1, 2. Again the Lord speaks, saying: “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Rev. 6:14–17. That day is certainly coming when neither greatness, nor wealth, nor notoriety, will be a qualification for our standing. What then shall make us qualified to stand? This is the question that will be asked in that day. At that time no answer will be given which will help us out of our trouble; but we have the provision now, and by heeding it we may at that day be among those who will have gained the distinction of being able to stand. Let the Lord answer as to who shall be able to abide in His tabernacle: “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.” Ps. 15:2–5.
Reader, what are you seeking above all things? Is it fame, wealth, honor, or greatness in anything of this life? If so, remember that that day, in which all things not in harmony with the Word of God are burned like chaff, is nigh at hand, and that those who are not clothed with His righteousness shall be as chaff in the burning flame. Lay not up therefore your treasures upon earth, for the earth shall melt as wax in the fires of that day; but lay up for yourself treasure in heaven which shall remain forever.
What seek ye? “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Now is the time in which He may be found—now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.
Reader, what seek you? Are you seeking the world and the things thereof? Remember what is to be the end of all such things and their seekers. Seek rather the things above. Seek the love of God which has been manifested to us in the giving of our Saviour Jesus Christ for a propitiation for our sins. Seek immortality.
Seeing all this, let us heed the voice of the Lord, and, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality, and He will render to us eternal life.
Wm. O. Beecher.
Port Maria, Jamaica.