The Saints' Rest | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Mar 17, 1853

The Saints' Rest.

How unscriptural were the ideas we cherished before we “were enlightened,” respecting the final rest of the saints. We have thought that our everlasting abode would be far from materiality, and a thousand winds of doctrine have been blowing, which have no foundation either in truth or common sense. Thus we have sung of the soul “winging its flight far beyond the regions of space,” and there in some region beyond space, spending its eternity in praising God. This idea came from the very fount of spiritualism, and all the glorious descriptions of the New Earth, with all the ideas consequent on their literal fulfillment, have been crowded into it: while we have the plainest evidence that the very earth in which we are “pilgrims and strangers,” will be given to “the saints of the Most High, who shall take and possess it for ever, even for ever and ever.”

When we have presented a bible view of this subject to many who profess to believe the Bible, we have been charged with making heaven a “vile menagerie.” Such a regard for truth has characterized our opponents from the beginning. But the child who puts confidence enough in the word of his Father to believe it all, feasts on the truth, that this earth, so dark—so lonely—so sinful now, will be restored to its original purity. Then, “the morning stars” will sing again, “and all the sons of God will shout for joy.”—Hope of Israel.