THE GREAT SALVATION by Geo. W. Reaser

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 17, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 40.

THE GREAT SALVATION

By Geo. W. Reaser

II. THE JOY OF SALVATION.

"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." To illustrate the rapture that fills the inmost souls of those who are in the full enjoyment of the glorious deliverance and freedom which is available to the children of men through the plan of salvation, let us take the case of a prisoner on trial. He is accused of high treason against his government. His life will have to pay the penalty if he is found guilty and if sentence is executed. He is placed in the prisoner’s box, witnesses are called, their evidence is conclusive. The jury, instructed by the judge, go out, and return promptly with

The Verdict of "Guilty."

Breathless silence reigns in the courtroom while the judge pronounces sentence. The prisoner turns deathly pale; his head falls upon his breast. The sentence finished, around his wrists are clasped bands of steel. He visibly trembles as the bailiff leads him away to his prison cell, to await the day of execution. His weeping wife and children are allowed a few moments in the cell. She tries to cheer him, but there is little hope in her own heart. His advocate follows him and tries to encourage him with the thought that there is still one ray of hope. He may appeal to the chief ruler of his country. The appeal is immediately prepared and forwarded. The chief executive of the nation investigates, and sees in the history of the case some mitigating circumstances. He extends pardon to the condemned. A swift messenger conveys the glad intelligence to the prisoner’s cell. He leaps from his chair, his face lights up with a new-born joy, beyond the power of words to express. The prison door is thrown open; instead of the stifling atmosphere of his cell, he breathes the free air of heaven. The sheriff has no longer any authority over him, for a higher power has set him at liberty. The bidding farewell to father and mother, brothers and sisters, wife and children, the ascent to the scaffold, the adjusting of the hangman’s rope, the drawn cap, and the final drop into eternity, have no dread nor terrors, for him now; he is a free man. His heart wells up in genuine gratitude to his Creator and to his deliverer; his lips are heard joyfully to express the sentiment of his full heart—"Thank God, I’m a free man." He returns to his home and friends, firmly resolved that he will lead a new life, and there is grace sufficient for it.

Our illustration is, by way of comparison, weak. He could only die the first death at the hand of any earthly law. He might have accepted a full and free pardon and the "great salvation" of the King of Glory, in the interval following his apprehension and condemnation, ere the day of execution came. Then, had capital punishment been administered, he would still

escape the second death, and instead, have the life everlasting, and the prospect of being joined again to his loved ones in the better land. Friend, you and I are or have been in the prisoner’s box, and occupied the cell of the condemned, for all have sinned and thereby become subject to the condemnation of heaven, even the second death, "for the wages of sin is death." Have you been pardoned? If so, let us rejoice together. If not, why? Pardon is freely offered, even tho you have sinned and thereby joined Satan in rebellion against the government of heaven. There is great "joy in the presence of God over one sinner that repenteth."

The deeper the sense of sinfulness, and the keener the appreciation of deliverance, the greater will be the rejoicing and gratitude on the part of the ransomed one. The "great salvation" will save from sin, and all of its woful results, of which the second death is the ultimate. It is

a Message of Life Rather than Death,

of fulness of joy instead of unutterable anguish. When David had experienced its ecstatic benefits, his mouth was filled with praise. He said of the Lord, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He put a new song into my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord."

When Paul was under condemnation for sin, he cried out in the agony of his soul, "O wretched man that I am; who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Immediately finding deliverance, his inmost soul responded, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Thus he received pardon and complete freedom from condemnation. Surely there is a reason for great rejoicing.

The individual so greatly blessed has passed from eternal death unto eternal life; from being a bond-servant of Satan, to adoption into the royal family of the King of the universe; from condemnation to acceptance in the Beloved, to sonship with God and brotherhood with Christ. This rejoicing comes from a knowledge—attested by the sure Word—of sins forgiven.

Altho we have reason to "greatly rejoice" now, yet our present joy can compare but feebly with the gladness of heart which may be ours to enjoy "at the appearing of Jesus Christ," when it will be the privilege of the redeemed to "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory," receiving the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls.

Not Appreciated Now.

But the greatness of this salvation cannot be appreciated until the redeemed are finally translated to the New Jerusalem, and are dwelling in that presence where there "is fulness of joy forevermore." Then shall they "discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not," and have a full sense of the greatness and priceless value of their salvation.

Friend, are you rejoicing in the assurance of the present salvation? You certainly have great occasion to rejoice if you know that you "have passed from death unto life," and that you are "a child of the King." Are you daily drawing "living water out of the wells of salvation?"

You, who are a professed follower of Christ, is there a new song in your mouth, and are the lost hearing it, and thus being led to accept salvation? Truly can we all, if we are "born again," say of the Lord, "Thou hast delivered my soul from death," and let us in the same breath pray, "Wilt Thou not deliver my feet from falling?" "Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing songs unto Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His holy name; let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day His salvation." 1 Chron. 16:8-10, 23.