HEAVEN OR NIRVANA, WHICH?
By S.
HEAVEN has set an example for the world; God has set an example for men. God has not called us to a life of active service in His cause without first setting us an example of service. Christ served in the household until the time when He entered upon His work of ministry, and He not only gave His life at that time as a sacrifice upon the altar of service for all humanity, but He actually and personally served those who were His immediate companions. So His whole life was a life of service, and a life of service on behalf of man. Now He calls us to the same work, the same service, having proved by His own life that He is not asking of us that which He Himself was unwilling to do. He rather left us an example that we should do as He had done. We have been led, unintentionally perhaps, to believe that heaven is and is to be a place of one long siesta, the haven of the naturally tired, a place of placid, uninterrupted rest; but the Bible does not so reveal it. Referring to the angels it reads (Heb. 1: 14): “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” To minister is to serve, to work for; a minister is a server. He who is the greatest minister, is the greatest server. They who have been permitted to look into heaven in vision have beheld there scenes of intense activity. Who can imagine a busier week than that which put in shape our solar system, bathed it in light and filled it with life? And we have no reason for supposing that the activity of God ceased when the week was done—that that short period of Sabbath rest was unending. Our God is a working God. Christ said of Him and of Himself, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” There is man's example. Instead of being the center of repose, heaven is the very center of activity personified. The great reward that comes to Jesus Christ comes to Him as the fruit of His life of service. He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied. The kingdom and dominion given to Him are the fruit of His life of service and sacrifice. Heathenism has always perverted that great truth, and has looked, and is still looking, for Nirvana, the place of endless repose. Its devotees are willing to endure any amount of physical suffering if only they may be absorbed into the great ocean of complete repose; and in that snare Satan is capturing his millions. But God has not so taught His children. His command is, “Go work to-day in My vineyard;” “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature;” and that He Himself was not looking for any Nirvana is shown by the declaration, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” As Christ Himself is not rewarded without service, His followers must not expect to be. “A place of reward in heaven presupposes a place of service on earth,” and that place of reward in heaven will not be filled by us unless the place of service on earth has been so filled. My question is not to be, How many talents have I received? or, Have I received as many talents as I should have received? But rather, How am I employing the talents which God has given me? Every man who is not an idiot has at least one talent to be used for God; and many who think they have none have in reality many more than one. How are we using them? It is a question we must answer at the bar of God; but when the time comes to answer it, it will be too late to make any change in the record. God has done great things for us; so He expects great things of us, and has put at our command a power that will enable us to do great things for Him. He has made it possible for us to be a source of joy and satisfaction to Him through all eternity. Do not disappoint Him! As there are no drones in heaven, we can not be drones here if we hope to enter there. Let Him work out in you that thing that He has purposed concerning you.