Life! Life! | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 31, 1856

"Life! Life!"

ONE of the principal elements of bliss in the world to come, is life. Ancient cities were called after heathen gods. Athens was the city of Minerva, and Rome the city of Mars; these were dead and false gods, but the holy Jerusalem, the metropolis of the everlasting kingdom, "is the city of the living God." As its gates are ever open, Come, my soul, and look within. Foremost in the scene, and enthroned in glory, appears the One who is "the resurrection and the life."

Kings of the earth may reign long, yet death is sure to overtake them, but he who sitteth on the throne is the "Prince of life." From him natural, spiritual and eternal life proceed. The scepter of empire, he will wield forever; because his throne will never be vacated by death, he can have no successor.

Happy are those who dwell in the presence of such a King. Because of their residence with him, they too are kings, and on their heads are crowns of life. Of earthly rulers it has been truthfully said, "Weary lies the head that wears the crown," But not so with those whom God delighteth to honor; they are equal unto the angels and shall die no more. Life fills the entire system, and as they walk the golden streets, joy beams from every countenance, and fear has fled from every bosom.

See them on the banks of "the river of life." Its waters, clear as crystal, flow at their feet, an emblem of the purity of the region they inhabit. Over their heads wave the branches of the tree of life. Its fruits designed for the help of the nations of the saved, they pluck and eat. "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more: for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water." Everything is life-like in the city, and, O my soul, as thou viewest the day at

hand when the eternal weight of glory will be imparted to those that are Christ's, let it nerve thee to diligence and to duty. Thou art called to be a laborer in the vineyard, and not a loiterer by the way-side.

Arouse thee from thy stupidity; men are perishing in their sins—there is no time to be lost.

"God's own arm hath need of thine."

If the vanities of the world call after thee, imitate Bunyan's pilgrim, who, putting his fingers in his ears, ran on crying, "Life, life, eternal life!"