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That's Heaven!

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 3, 1928

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 55, No. 14.

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That's Heaven!

By Orva Lee Ice

ORVA LEE ICE
MEN of power, of power-filled lives, have marched over the pages of history, and many times at the crest of their power have surrendered to the “grim reaper.” The power they might have been is left forever untold.
I heard a wail not long ago. It came from the heart of a distracted daughter, soul weary and full of remorse. With tears of anguish she said: “Oh, if only my mother were living! She could tell me what to do now.” But mother was gone. She was a tower of power while she lived.
A rich merchant, having made his fortune in “life’s little day,” lies dying. He calls to him his only son, and he says: “My boy, carry on. Keep the business. Attain more and more success.” And, gasping for that last elusive breath, he passes away.
His son, soft and inexperienced, soon dissipates the fortune and loses the business; and, in that heart-riven hour when the ravens of defeat have croaked “Nevermore,” seated among the ruins and bitter ashes of defeat, he cries out: “O dad! Poor old dad! If only you could have lived!” Yes, the power he might have been!
Think for a moment on the power of an endless life! Jesus was made not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.” Hebrews 7:16.
How weakly we can talk of its power! We witness the power of a mere mortal, but the life that never ends means power that never ends. Who can know it? The opportunities it affords! The chance to get an education! The opportunity to get wisdom—“the principal thing!” The chance to work, and see that work abide! The time to build “more stately mansions!” The planning for things that live forever, and the ecstasy of delight!—to live ourselves right with them.
My friend, that’s heaven!