THE BUILDERS by Roderick S. Owen

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 23, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 12.

THE BUILDERS

By Roderick S. Owen

(Continued.)

I MUST relate more fully the experience of one day when I sat down in this chair of Faith, and began reading in my Guide-book about the great day of atonement. Lev. 16; 23:27-32. The high priest took the blood of the goat upon which the Lord's lot had fallen, and went into the second apartment of the sanctuary, before the mercy-seat, while the people stood in the court, and confessed their sins, and afflicted their souls before God. The high priest, after making an atonement for all the sins of the people, came out and put the sins upon the head of the scapegoat, which was then carried away into a desolate land where it must perish, for it was never to return to the camp of Israel. After the scapegoat was separated from the camp, the people were all free from sin, and then they rejoiced before the Lord.

"I then turned to another part of my Guide-book, where I read these words: 'Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.' Heb. 8:1, 2. I studied the picture on my window, the picture of the sanctuary built by man, the shadow of the true, when suddenly it glowed with a wondrous light, and I saw through it a living picture far beyond, even away in the depth of the heavens. There I saw a glorious throne, like the ark in the earthly sanctuary, on either end of which stood a cherub, radiant with light, one wing of each being extended over the throne. Rev. 11:19; Jer. 17:12. The top of the throne looked like burnished gold, and from it there flowed out toward earth a constant stream of light laden with love and mercy.

"Encircling the throne at a great distance appeared the dome of heaven. Its horizon was a brilliant scarlet, or red, brighter than the most beautiful glow ever seen on an earthly horizon at set of sun. Ex. 26:1. Passing toward the zenith, the color gradually changed, one shade blending into another, until, at a point about half way up, it was a clear, glowing purple. Raising the eye, the changing and blending of colors still continued until, in the zenith, there was a circular space of the softest and most delicate blue. About the throne, and far away toward both zenith and horizon, were bright beings, single and in companies, which were constantly winging their way to and from the throne. They were surrounded by a halo of light, which streamed out before them like the rays from a search-light, and also followed after them in a vanishing trail. In this light I read these words: 'Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?' Heb. 1:14.

"Under the throne, and supporting it, there appeared a perfectly transparent dome, surrounded by an open, circular space. Just outside this space there were placed in circular form twenty-four chairs (Rev. 4:1-4), in four groups of six each. These groups were separated by broad avenues which led up to the throne. Behind the chairs, and extending far back, were four companies of beings (Rev. 4:6-9), separated into six wings, or companies, by narrow passages leading up to the throne between the chairs.

"These beings were all clothed in white, and, as I looked, I could see their eyes everywhere sparkling with delight. Listening, I heard rapturous strains of music, which came from these companies, led by the ones who occupied the chairs. It was a song of praise and adoration, some of the words of which were, 'Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.' Rev. 5:9, 10.

"The song completed, I heard them present before the throne the prayers of God's children on earth as sweet incense (Rev. 5:8), and as they were accepted, they would sing, 'Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.' Rev. 4:11. Then I saw that these were the people of earth who were raised from the dead at the time Christ was raised (Matt. 27:51-53; Eph. 4:8), and who had accompanied Him to heaven to assist Him in His priestly work in the heavenly sanctuary, as the Levites did Aaron in the earthly.

"Next I saw the entire human race standing before this throne. The judgment was set, 'and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life.' Rev. 20:12. The Judge, before whose face the heavens and the earth fled away, sat upon the throne. The book containing the records of men's lives was being examined, and in many cases the sins were all blotted out, and the name retained in the Lamb's book of life. Rev. 3:5. O, how the heavenly choir would swell the anthem of praise and rejoicing. But in some cases the name was erased from the book of life. Hushed then was the song, and solemn stillness reigned, while sadness swept like a wave over all. I stood amidst that throng, and from the presence of that Judge I sought to hide myself away; but those penetrating eyes would find me out, and search me through.

"Just then I saw a page containing my name, and below the name a record of the deeds of my past wicked life. O, how I trembled lest the Judge should call my name, and my record should be examined. I had sought to confess my sins, and by true repentance to seek the Saviour, but had I fully forsaken them? Here I opened my heart, and all was laid bare, and I cried, 'O God, sweep it all clean; take every idol away; make me meet to be a partaker in the inheritance of the saints in light.'

"Through my tears I saw One sitting to the right hand of the Judge, whose face filled me with hope. In it was so much of sympathy. His eyes beamed with such kindness, His whole countenance was radiant with the light of love. I felt that in Him was my only hope (Col. 1:27), and I fastened my eyes upon Him. I sought to shut out everything else. I claimed Him as my Advocate. I committed my case entirely to Him. 1 John 2:1. Just then one of the bright ministering spirits came to the throne, and passed a record into the hand of Jesus. As He received it He gave me a look of approval, which thrilled through my whole being, and I knew that it was the record of my full surrender to Him, which He had accepted.

"He took the book containing my life record, and, opening to my page, He passed His hand down over it, tracing thereon a trail of blood which soon faded away, leaving the page clean and white. O, how my heart leaped for joy as my name was called, and Jesus acknowledged me as His brother before His Father and before the angels.

"And now, my friend, I need not tell you that I love this room. I love the study of the sanctuary. In this room I see the work of Jesus in a new light. The holy angels seem nearer to me in their ministrations, and, as I think of the judgment and this scene in heaven, I feel to cry out, and to say, O, hasten, holy angels; bear to the throne my confession, and bring back to me the approving smile of my Saviour." (To be continued.)