Locke, June 8, 1872 by J. M. Avery

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 17, 1872

Locke, June 8, 1872

By J. M. Avery

Death.

It is not the sting of death that gives us so much dread of it, as the thought of being forever separated from the society of those we love. The idea of sorrow and suffering here until the final result is death, an entire separation from all comfort, happiness, and the society of those we love, never more to see light, or enjoy pleasure, to see our friends suffer and die, and then lay them away in the dark and silent grave, and know that we never more can enjoy their friendship, and then to realize that we may soon follow them, truly seems like a solemn thought. And, indeed, it would be without the blessed hope. But the apostle says, Sorrow not as those who have no hope. So, then, those that have hope need not sorrow as those who have none.

Yes, truly, may we comfort one another, when we look at the glorious hope of a resurrection and eternal life, when we realize that Jesus, according to the Scriptures, went down into the grave and has come up again, having the keys of hell and of death, and that we can, through him, have hope that our dear friends, and we too, if we follow them there, shall rest quietly, not to be disturbed by any of the cares and sorrows of this world, not to be awakened by the rumbling and whistle of Nahum’s chariots, which are a sign that that day is near, nor by the cannon’s loudest boom, nor yet by the fearful lightnings and peals of loudest thunder, nor by the most fearful and terrible earthquakes, nor yet by the hailstones and storm of God’s wrath. None of these things shall disturb the peaceful rest of those who sleep in Jesus. Nothing will disturb or awaken them but the sweet voice of Jesus, when he shall soon descend from Heaven with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; then those who sleep in Jesus will awake, and come forth to behold the glorious scene of the King in his beauty, and all the holy angels with him.

Such glorious prospects! What a thought! that through his death and resurrection we can have such glorious hopes. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, and that he has given us his word where we may learn things which give us so much joy. J. M. AVERY.