Precious Promises by Raymond F. Cottrell

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Jun 26, 1855

Precious Promises.

By Raymond F. Cottrell

IT is sweet to the Christian to contemplate those "exceeding great and precious promises" which are left on record for the faithful. These promises are calculated to cheer and encourage the way-worn pilgrim on his way to Mount Zion. They set before us something real and substantial, something which we can lay hold of by faith. They are unlike the fabled dreams of the present day, which promise to men a kind of unreal, intangible, future existence with shadows and darkness resting upon it.

The great promise upon which is based all the blessings of a future life, is that of a resurrection from the dead to a glorious immortality. This is the very foundation of the Christian's hope. Should this promise fail, all others, which look beyond the bounds of this mortal life, must also fail. If the dead rise not, then they which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 1 Cor. xv, 18.

When this mortal shall have put on immortality, the next promise to be fulfilled is, that the saints shall be caught up to meet their coming Lord in the air, and henceforth be forever with him. O, what a glorious promise to the lover of Jesus, not only to see him who gave his own life a ransom for us, but to be forever with him.

But this is not all. In his Father's house are many mansions. Said he, I go to prepare a place for you; and after I shall have gone and prepared a place for you, I will return and take you with me, that where I am, there ye also may be. Jno. xiv, 3. (Geo. Campbell's translation.) A place will be prepared for his disciples, and, after it is in readiness, he will appear the second time and take them to himself. Where has he gone? To the Father. Jesus said to the Jews, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, thither ye cannot come. Jno. vii, 33, 34. Afterwards he said to his disciples, Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me; and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. Jno. xiii, 33. Peter still inquired, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Verse 36. These texts prove that Peter (not a disembodied spirit) will go to the Father where Jesus now is gone. After this great promise to Peter, he goes on to speak of the mansions in his Father's house, which has been noticed already.

But the promises do not end here. Abraham is the heir of the world, [Rom. iv, 13,] which will be fitted up, by the removal of the curse, for the everlasting abode of all his righteous seed. If ye be Christ's, then are ye, Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal. iii, 29. Blessed are the meek, said Jesus, for they shall inherit the earth. Matt. v, 5. Said David, The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever. Ps. xxxvii, 29. See also verses 9, 11 and 22.

Such is a brief view of the promises of God relating to the future life. The saints are to have a share in all the blessings and beauties of the regenerated earth, and all the glories and delights of the City of God, the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from God. They are indeed exceeding great and precious promises. An eternal weight of glory is in reserve for all those who shall overcome. A few more trials and sufferings, a few more storms on these tempestuous seas, and we shall gain the port of endless peace. We will thank God and take courage. R. F. COTTRELL.