MY DREAM by R. F. C.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 18, 1877

MY DREAM.

By R. F. C.

I DREAMED that the resurrection morn, or Christ’s second coming, had come. There appeared a bright shining cloud in the east. It extended from the north pole to the south pole. Its greatest brightness was in the center, where Christ was seated. I had an idea that the cloud had started at Palestine, and was moving around the earth in the direction of the sun, or from east to west. I thought it would take it twenty-four hours to finish its round. The cloud was covered with saints and angels, from one end to the other. The angels were gathering the saints as the cloud passed along, both the living and the dead; and were conveying them to the cloud. The living were changed in an instant, and the dead came forth out of the earth with glorified bodies. All had wings. As the dead came forth out of their graves, they looked back, and smiled as they said, “O grave, where is thy victory?” and then rose to the cloud by means of their wings, assisted by an angel that took hold of the right hand. As I saw these saints with their bright shining wings, I thought of the passage, “Thou shalt be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.”

The impression was made on my mind that this was the first resurrection, spoken of in Revelation, and that only the saints were gathered, and the wicked were left behind. I had no idea that the Judgment would follow immediately. I thought that this was the beginning of the millennium, and the true fulfillment of the words, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven.”

I gazed upon the scene with wonder and admiration, and also with joy and gladness; but as it drew nearer, and still nearer, I began to have doubts and fears, and the thought came to my mind that perhaps I would be left behind, because I was not sanctified. Then I awoke and found it was all a dream; but the passages referred to have left a strange impression on my mind, and they seem to have a new meaning and a new beauty, that no commentator can obliterate from my mind. DAVID SUTER.

DEAR EDITORS: I am in a German settlement in the interior of Pennsylvania. There is but one Sabbath-keeper here. By his invitation I came to this place. He has had but a little acquaintance with our people and our publications, in Iowa. The accompanying dream he had written, and permitted me to copy it. Most commonly, people dream in harmony with their creed; but what is remarkable about this is, that it was contrary to his former views, which were that both the righteous and the wicked would be raised together, and then both classes be judged. He dreamed the same dream twice; the first time in December, 1875, and the second time in June, 1876, with this difference, that the second time he had not the doubts and fears in regard to being left behind as the cloudy chariot should pass, but expected to be caught up when it should reach the place where he was; but before it reached him, he awoke. R. F. C.