A DREAM by L. S. | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 28, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 30.

A DREAM.

By L. S.

Methought the world a-slumbering lay. Silence reigned, and darkness, how profound! When suddenly there came a midnight cry, clear, pealing, far-reaching, penetrating to the uttermost ends of the earth, so that no mortal ear but must needs hear and give heed unto that cry.

The heavens, the earth, the air, were filled with one harmonious sound, as of the voice of the Archangel. All mankind heard. With one accord there gathered together a mighty concourse, all those that had escaped the dread visitations with which the earth had been plagued, as ’twere upon a great plain. It seemed as tho the valleys were exalted, every mountain brought low.

Childhood, youth, manhood, old age, all were there—some grouped together in unbroken families; some whom death had robbed of their loved ones, and prisoned them in the grave; many separated by the vicissitudes of life; whilst others in that vast multitude stood from their own apart, as broken links: severed, parent from child, brother from brother, friend from friend; severed, whom God had joined, through the wiles of that wicked one whose mission upon earth is to promote discord. Angels—God’s messengers that stand ever ready to protect and defend our weak humanity, to give us power to resist the tempter, courage to bid him, tho he appear as an angel of light, “Get thee behind me, Satan”—beheld, and wept.

In this gathering throng were a vast number prominent because of their peculiarity, in that a mark or seal was in their foreheads, a shield, “the Word of God,” was on each breast. These bore a joyous, expectant look.

As by one impulse this restless, waiting multitude became silent. The sound that called them forth had ceased, and with it vanished the dim, pervading light. All heaven and earth stood still. ’Twas the darkness of midnight, when, in the twinkling of an eye, the curtain of night was lifted, and the light as of a thousand suns filled all space with a radiance never before known.

Methought myself apart, severed from my best beloved on earth, yet yearning toward them. A voice whispered unto me, “Behold the signs in the heavens.” Just then there issued from infinite space these words, serene, yet in triumphant tone, “O mankind, upward look!” There, poised ’twixt heaven and earth, in spotless garment clad, appeared a heavenly being with uplifted hand, directing all eyes toward the shining east.

A luminous cloud appeared, which swiftly extended until it spanned the heavens, reaching to the distant west. At first of milky hue, it seemed a broad band across the clear, azure sky. Gradually changing, it became first limpid, then of silvery white, most dazzling to behold. Portentous sight! Lo, upon our tranced vision burst an innumerable company of angels, their silvery wings glistening and scintillating in the light; at the same time began to sound an indescribably sweet, penetrating, harmonious strain, an angelic chorus swelling and heralding—what?

I perceived a drawing together of those having in their foreheads the “seal of the living God,” and they spake one to another, “Lo, He cometh; we have watched and waited for Him;” and the angel that stood by me said, “Here is the patience of the saints; these are they who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Nearer approached the angelic host, whose glory outshone the brilliance of a thousand suns, and we perceived in their midst, the central figure, one like unto the Son of man, clothed in the white robe of righteousness, surrounded by the beaming brightness of heaven’s glory, and crowned with majesty and power.

Spellbound we gazed, then simultaneously burst forth from the wondering throng a shout of rapture, “It is, it is the coming of the Lord.” He who was in the midst, stretched forth His hand, whereupon a mighty angel flying swiftly to the earth, proclaimed, “Ye shall not prevent them which are asleep.” Forthwith, upon that celestial trump, prepared for the day and the hour, he blew a blast that e’en the dead were wakened, and came forth from Satan’s prison-house.

O wondrous scene! Nearer swept that glorious company; more beautifully clear shone the gentle face of the Redeemer, yet with a light of kingly authority, as He, in loving voice, called: “Come unto Me, ye blessed of My Father. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

Methought as we were caught up into the clouds, together with the resurrected ones, wafted without volition, we became like unto the heavenly host,—were clothed upon with the robe of righteousness,—and joyfully the redeemed host broke forth into singing that new song which no man could learn but they who were redeemed from the earth.

Alas, of all that waiting multitude, many were “consumed by the brightness of His coming”! Some of the most prominent in evil, the worshipers of the beast, the false prophet, and they who pierced Him, the Saviour of mankind, were brought out of their graves but to “witness His glorious advent,” then left powerless of life, until the expiration of the thousand years, during which time the redeemed are “with the

Lamb whithersoever He goeth;” the earth left desolate of inhabitants save for the presence of “that old serpent; the devil, with his angels,” chained by the will of God, in that there remaineth no living soul upon whom to practise his wiles; chained by the power of that One who alone hath the keys of the prison-house; that One who will, “when the thousand years are finished,” call forth “the rest of the dead” to the judgment.

Then will Satan marshal his great army, making his last, mightiest effort to contend against the just and holy One, and seek to take the holy city, New Jerusalem, which cometh down from God out of heaven. Then shall he be destroyed by the fierceness of the wrath of God; for the Word saith, “And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”

Whilst surrounded by, and soaring aloft with, this glorious host, mine ears ravished with heavenly harmonies, my being merged into infinity, I heard and joined a refrain that rose: “Just and holy art Thou, Lord God Almighty: the blessing, the glory, the wisdom, the thanksgiving, and the honor, and the power, and the might, be to our God forever and ever, Amen.”

Then I awoke and found ’twas but a dream. Yet what a dream!

Teach us, O Lord, the way to tread, That we rest among the dead, At that great day, we’ll hear Thy voice, And with Thy waiting saints rejoice; That we may join that happy band Who on the sea of glass shall stand, When Thou dost from our Father’s throne Come to this world to claim Thine own. L. S.