p. 14 | No More Good-Byes by William Covert

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 22, 1916

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 43, No. 33.

No More Good-Byes

By William Covert

"THERE shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. . . . And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me, It is done." Rev. 21: 4-6.

In the hallowed state and time herein foretold, the songs and the rejoicings of the redeemed will relate to a deeper and sweeter appreciation of the Saviour's love than they have known on earth. There in scenes of glory will be sung new and beautiful songs, yet they will be connected with that ancient story which saints have loved so long. The righteousness of Christ and the wonders of His cross will never cease to be the theme of study — above all others most suggestive and most profound. Centuries will pass, and millenniums multiply on the great calendar of the ages, and still the sweetest of all names will be Jesus. Then, and onward, all will sing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing."

And who will sing this song, and how long? — "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." Rev. 5: 12, 13.

Eternity will afford no time for estrangement from Jesus; for though one should visit a thousand worlds, and form the acquaintance

of every inhabitant in them, yet he will hear from them all, in every place, something about the love of God through Jesus. Christ will be in all who are there, for Christ shall be all in all.

These promises of unlimited and unbroken joy speak of a period beyond pain or sorrow. Everything, everywhere, in all of God's dominion, will then be in every respect just what God and His Son, in their council before anything was made, agreed that all things should be. There will be neither excess nor superfluity. There will be enough in everything and of everything to make infinite harmony.

With such conditions, can there be a place of torture in which sinners shall suffer? If a time is coming when every creature will sing God's praises, can the wicked be suffering and uttering lamentations during that same time? Or can there come a time when it will be said, "There is no more pain," if sinners are to suffer to all eternity the most intense pain? — No. Such a condition of things would forever prevent harmony. God, in His eternal purpose, did not provide for the existence of that which neither wisdom nor love can desire; and Satan cannot force God to bring in such a condition of things. It would be a dismal shadow over the beauty of the worlds.

But soon the day will be here when sin and sorrow, pain and death, are no more. And even now, the eternal dawn is near its breaking, when the brightness will appear. Then dates need be counted no more. Nor will man grow old, for decrepitude cannot come to the land of immortality. No funeral bell will toll, and curfew will not be rung, for there shall be no night there. New acquaintances will be formed; but no final good-byes will be said, for all will know there will be another meeting. WILLIAM COVERT.