OUR HEAVENLY HOME by Mrs. Luella B. Priddy

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 24, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 43.

OUR HEAVENLY HOME.

By Mrs. Luella B. Priddy

EVER since God planted the first home in Eden the Christian home has been the nearest approach to paradise of any place on earth. The nearer the home conforms to the model established in the beginning, the greater its influence to draw its inmates heavenward. The more happiness in the home, the better able are we to appreciate the happiness of the home above. So the first work of all successful missionary operations among heathen and degraded races is to raise the standard of the home life, that the people may be enabled to understand what a joyful place heaven is.

The love of home has been planted in the human heart by the Creator. Men toil and save that they may enjoy a home for a little season; but, even at its best estate, the earth home is marred by sin and sickness. Sorrow and death invade it, and men are led to ask, "Is this all of life?"—No; there is a better home than this, where all our purest and best anticipations will be realized. There will be no disappointments; for "they shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble." Isa. 65:23.

So much of our labor here is in vain. We plant fruits and flowers, and the heat and frost destroy them, and the next year the work has to be done over again; but there no leaf shall fall, no blossom wither and die. "They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat; for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Isa. 65:21, 22.

Here there is much poverty and distress; but there the streets of the capital city are made of transparent gold, and its foundation walls are of precious stones. Rev. 21:18-21.

The home of our first parents, before sin entered the world, was perfect; for God made it, and He pronounced it good. Let us read the description of it: "The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food." Gen. 2:8, 9.

We can scarcely imagine the extent and variety of Adam's garden, for the earth has felt the effects of the curse, and now only a small part of its fruits and flowers can grow in one climate. But while Satan has been permitted to mar the world by sin, the Scriptures tell us that it will be restored to its Eden beauty.

"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else." Isa. 45:18.

"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. . . . And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:1-4.

Christ said, "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2. These are not uncomfortable little cabins in back alleys; they are all mansions. And in the "many mansions" of the Father's house, each child of God will have some loved and lovely spot that will be his own.

If we would accustom ourselves to think upon the realities of this heavenly home, it would quicken our desires to be there. If, amid the busy round of toil, we would pause and think that we are heirs of a King, to a home far surpassing the most beautiful homes on earth, and that our inheritance will be eternal, it would add a charm to life's humblest duties done in His name, and sweeten the cup of sorrow that sometimes comes to us all.

"O, the transporting, rapturous scene That rises to my sight, Sweet fields arrayed in living green And rivers of delight! "No chilling wind nor poisonous breath Can reach that healthful shore; Sickness and sorrow, pain and death, Are felt and feared no more."

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Cor. 2:9. MRS. LUELLA B. PRIDDY. Bastrop, La.