VICTORY AT LAST by L. D. Santee

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 27, 1904

VICTORY AT LAST.

By L. D. Santee

"They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them; for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them." Isa. 49:10. While passing through the shadows and toils of earth, it is cheering to look beyond, and see the sunshine of an endless day. Ever since the Gospel was manifested, and Abel enjoyed its consolations, the hope of immortality, and a life beyond the grave has lived in the heart of men, and given zeal and enjoyment to their worship; and now the sunshine of heaven seems brighter and the rest sweeter, as we are drawing nearer to it. The coming glory seems more desirable, as the time approaches for its revelation.

Let us look at the characteristics of those who shall be entitled to the promised reward in that kingdom of glory so soon to come. They shall be gathered from the north, south, east, and west (Ps. 107:3; Isa. 49:12), so that nationality makes no difference in making up the armies of the skies. All are by adoption "sons of God." The first feature worthy of note is, that they have made a covenant with God by sacrifice. Ps. 50:5. They are a tried people. John said, in the beginning of the New Testament dispensation, "In the world we shall have tribulation." Luke also testified, "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Paul inquires, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Rom. 8:35); and, while drinking of the baptism of suffering, exclaims, "I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation;" and again, "We glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience." Rom. 5:3.

In the Prophetic Age the story was the same. Noah could point to more than a century of unbelief and ridicule. Isaiah was no stranger to hardship, and Jeremiah from his dungeon could testify the same. Christ, when teaching those who were to suffer in His cause, added: "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Coming down to the evening of this world's history, the facts are the same. "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17. A little way on, and the tried ones can shout, "Victory at last;" for the angel says of them: "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Rev. 7:14. With these texts before us, the conclusion is inevitable. Those that will not suffer with Christ, shall never reign with Him. Feet that enter into rest will be scarred with thorns, and toil-worn with the journey. Hands that finally sweep the harp-strings of heaven, will be active here in the Master's vineyard. Hearts that know the bliss of heaven, will first know the sorrows of earth. The desert comes before Canaan. The Captain of our salvation was "made perfect through suffering," and the children must pass that crucible before they can reflect the Master's image. Only the refining process can develop the sweet trust of a pure and holy life. In the words of the poet,—

"Are We Ready . . . to Be Gathered When the Angels Come to Gather the Elect?"

"Then all the scoffs and scorn I've borne For His dear sake who died for me, To everlasting joys will turn, In glorious immortality."

Another of the characteristics of the redeemed is obedience. Of Abraham the record says that he obeyed God; and because of this, he obtained favor with the Almighty. The chief requirement in the Old Covenant was, "Obey My voice." Ex. 19:5. All through the Jewish age obedience brought blessings, while disobedience brought calamity. The wise man says, "Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13. Paul, in writing to Christian converts, says, "Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." Rom. 6:17. The same is true of the remnant church at the close of time. They, too, are obeying God. Rev. 14:12. Even Christ, the sinless One, learned obedience "by the things which He suffered." Heb. 5:8.

Faith is a prominent feature in the class that shall enjoy the promise contained in our text. Faith is the strong cord that has bound the church to God in all ages. In this we have the mighty motive that has filled the world with martyrs, and the Lamb's Book of Life with the names of the redeemed. Hebrews 11 contains a roll of honor of men who stood out prominent as landmarks in their generation, who, through faith, gained victories, and died as conquerors. The last church possesses this grace. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." Heb. 11:6. Lack of faith caused the rejection of Israel. See Deut. 32:20. "And He said, I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be; for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith." Again (Heb. 4:2), "The Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." If space allowed I should be glad to notice at length Noah's clinging by faith to God, and preparing for the destruction that was coming on a guilty world,—a destruction as yet unseen, and, according to all reason, improbable, if not impossible. A hundred years of worldwide opposition did not shake his faith in God. Nor did the faith of the Hebrew children waver while standing for God, with a fiery furnace yawning to receive them, and an idolatrous world around them. I do not read that

they had ever won a name for bravery, and yet they feared not to say to the mightiest monarch on earth, "We are not careful to answer thee in this matter." They were willing to die, but never to prove disloyal; and the Son of God came down and walked in the fire with His children.

"O, for a faith that will not shrink, Tho pressed by many a foe." Faith makes heroes; and Daniel, calmly looking up from a den of lions, is but another instance of the power of that faith that is fixed upon the living God; and, when that faith is fired by love, the cause of God is first, and life is second. Take the case of Stephen, giving his last testimony with his face like an angel's, and dying with a vision of glory before his eyes. O, for more of such faith! We might notice the sacrifice of Moses, the faith of Elijah, and the devotion of Paul; but space forbids. The last church possesses this grace, this faith which the storms of earth can not shake. Rev. 14:12 declares not only that they obey God, but that they have the "faith of Jesus."

Here, then, are the prominent features of the blood-washed throng. They sacrifice whatever the cause of God demands. They "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." And now let us examine ourselves, and see if we can claim the promises that God has made to the righteous. Are our time, talents, and means consecrated to the cause of God? Are we sacrificing for the truth? Are we obeying the holy law of right, and is every element of our being in subjection to the law of Christ? Are our sins all confessed and forgiven, or have we some sins left for the Judge to pass sentence upon at the last day. Have we that living, loving faith that makes working for God a privilege? Are we ready for the coming of the Son of God, and to be gathered when the angels come to gather the elect? These are pertinent questions in view of the advent and the judgment, and we shall have to meet both. If we are reconciled to God, then we can read the promise and rejoice in the shelter and protection offered. "They shall not hunger nor thirst." O the tender care that God has for His people! Christ came to earth for us, and returned to heaven to prepare a place for those who would accept Him. He is coming after His children ere long; coming with all His angels to gather His elect. The trumpet shall sound, and then—O what a gathering? Graves that men had long forgotten, God has remembered. Unnumbered multitudes spring to life. God gathers His chosen ones, some from mossy tombs, some from humble resting places, and some from the shadow of imposing marble. That call from the Son of God none may resist. Even the waves yield the saints out of their cavernous depths. Still others are lifting up eager, waiting hands out from living homes, and, as the angels gather them, the grand shout of triumph rolls its billows up against the heavens, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

Paul adds to the picture the sweet joy of the re-union of friends. "We shall be caught up together with them." O the heart-aches that will then cease forever. O the loneliness that will then be banished. We shall know as we are known. Husband and wife, with loving embraces, meet to part nevermore. Brothers and sisters meet with clasp of glad hands. Parents and children greet each other with a joy beyond words, to tread together eternal pathways. Friends mingle in sweetest fellowship. Joy is complete, and the former things are not remembered, neither come into mind. The song of Moses and the Lamb is chanted by immortal voices, and tongues freed from corruption. The chariots of heaven convey the redeemed up to the Father's house. The jasper walls appear. "O that home of the soul!" My pen lingers, as I realize how powerless language is to portray the glories of that better land. How barren are words to describe that city of the pearly gate. Its glory gleams along the pages of Revelation. Bright with the radiance of heaven, 'neath the tender glow of a Saviour's love, it shines with the fadeless beauty of immortality. Its foundation stones are rainbows of light, its crystal walls, reaching high in the heavens. God grant that reader and writer may be there.