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HEAVENLY OBJECTS

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Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Oct 28, 1852

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 3, No. 13.

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HEAVENLY OBJECTS.

By H. S. Gurney

BY H. S. GURNEY.

GOD is an eternal source of wisdom, goodness and truth, and worthy of praise from all intelligent beings. The highest order of intelligencies were created for his praise, to surround his throne.
Before the fall of man, all the heavenly hosts united in one song of praise and adoration, in view of God's perfection of beauty, glorious power, handi-work, &c., when there was nothing to mar it. Even "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." How perfect the order and harmony, beyond description! But soon the scene was changed. Man, who "was made a little lower than the angels," transgressed a law, and falls into a most miserable state, under the sentence of death, and the curse begins to devour the earth. Now the song of ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels is interrupted, in view of the evil consequences of disobedience. But soon the plan of redemption begins to be developed, and the angels manifest their interest, in that they became ministering spirits to those who should reap the benefit of such a plan. God be praised for such manifest tokens of condescension. God has often manifested himself to men through the medium of angels, revealing his will, giving warning of danger and judgments upon the disobedient. God's special care for his trusting people, is thus revealed.
How consoling the thought, that the angels of God encamp around about them that fear him. Angels have always been interested for man's best good.—Redemption from the curse has been the theme of angels and all good men. As the plan has progressed, angels have more particularly manifested their interest. When the history of the world was revealed to Daniel, and in particular, the plan of redemption, the highest order of angels were consulted. When the time came for the promised seed to be manifested, the angels, or sons of God again shout for joy; they sing "glory to God in the highest." Why is this rejoicing in heaven? The plan of redemption does not save the multitude of the heavenly hosts, for they need no redemption. Then it is not that they have lost any thing they expect to gain, but it is a disinterested regard for man's best good. Seeking the good of mankind without regard to their own personal interest. Hence, they leave the heaven of heavens, the realms of celestial glory, and descend to earth, to become guardians of God's afflicted people. Peter, when contemplating the plan of redemption, says, "which things the angels desired to look into."
The time is very near, when every intelligent living creature, will unite in one song, saying, blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Such a united song is now interrupted in consequence of the interest among the heavenly hosts, for man's salvation. They are made to sympathize with man's fallen state, in unison with Christ's ministration in the Heavenly Sanctuary.
Jesus said at one time, he could command more than twelve legions of angels. The innumerable company is soon to be called together, to descend with Jesus, and gather his elect from the four corners of the earth. No doubt the most perfect order will be regarded. Such a scene must transcend all that mortals can conceive. Shall we behold such a scene, and be changed into the glorious image of the Son of God, in all the glory of his father? Yes, more, to share with him in the everlasting inheritance.
"O, glorious hope! O, blest abode! Shall I be there, and like my God?"
The apostle Paul has said, "set your affections on things above." Inspiration sets before us an object of attraction worthy of our best endeavors, our affections entirely. God has promised the dominion of the kingdoms of this world to the saints of the Most High, with the curse and its consequent evils removed. But what is there in heaven worthy of our affections? He that has promised, and is faithful, is located above. "For he hath looked down from the height of his Sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth." Ps. cii, 19. He dwells in light, which no man can approach unto. Our great and glorious High Priest, a minister, rendering service in the Sanctuary which the Lord pitched, is distinctly with the Father, and above. See Acts vii, 55. The different order of angels have their location above, created for purposes infinitely glorious, above the condition of man. I am speaking of literal things. It would be foolishness to talk of setting my affections on shadows. The "natural" have a body, so do the "spiritual." 1 Cor. xv, 44.
"The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven." Ps. xi, 4. "His throne is like the fiery flame." Dan. vii, 9. "Jesus sits in it." Rev. iii, 21. The highest order of angels bow before it, in deep adoration, while another order sing around it.—Rev. v, 11—14.
Herein is brought to view the most perfect order which, certainly, can never be interrupted. Sin can never frustrate the order of heaven.
The City for which Abraham looked, whose builder and maker is God, built of a variety of the most superior materials, glorious beyond description, the bride adorned, the Lamb's wife, the mother of us all, is above.
Said Jesus, to comfort his disciples, "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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." John xiv, 1—3. All these things are reserved in heaven for the faithful children of God.
West Wareham, Mass., Oct. 3d, 1852.