Outlook, Outlook, Outlook
By H. A. St. John
OUTLOOK has three meanings: (1) One who looks out; (2) place from which one looks out; (3) view obtained by the one looking out. Now it is obvious to every one from individual experience that the description of a landscape, procession, mansion, storm, battle, or anything else, for accuracy and truthfulness, depends very much upon the one who looks out, and the place from which he looks out. A terrible storm is raging on the mighty deep. The thunders roll, the lightnings flash, the floods descend, the winds blow, lashing the mountain waves into a terrific fury. One man describes the scene from a secure and sheltered retreat on the high and rocky beach. Another describes the same storm from the deck of the ship in the storm. His vessel is tossing, rolling, creaking, floundering, and perhaps sinking in the midst of the angry waves. It is plain that the description of these two observers would materially differ; and the one from the vantage-ground of a high, immovable, safe, and sheltered retreat, would be the clearer, broader, truer view. It is therefore a matter of primary importance, if we wish to present the truthful diagnosis and prognosis of any situation, condition, or movement among the children of men, that first of all, we secure the very best point of observation, the very best outlook possible. If there is one outlook, so superlatively good that it could not be better, from which place everything earthly appears in its true light, then from that outlook, conditions, causes, and consequences may be seen and described with accuracy and reliability. It might seem presumptuous to affirm that there is one such outlook attainable to man, and one only. Nor is another needed; for this one is accessible to all, and commands a clear view of all things earthly, whether past, present, or future. Yes, dear reader, you are kindly, earnestly, and lovingly invited by Him who knoweth all things from the beginning, to come at once into this wonderful observatory, and from this outlook view the world of darkness and light, sunshine and shadow, peace and war, life and strife, sadness and gladness, green and gray, of blossom and blight, sickness and death. And more, from this wonderful blending, you may see the grand consummation to which all things are rushing. By hearing the sayings of Jesus, and doing them, you will find a retreat so impregnable, immovable, and eternal that the gates of hell will never prevail against it. And from this vantage-ground, with your mind illuminated by the light of his Spirit and with the help of his word of truth, you may survey the past, present, and future, with clearness, composure, and admiration. This experience will make you a reliable and trustworthy outlook, in a superlatively good and grand outlook, and will give to your outlook the quality of eternal truth. As your vision, thus divinely aided, sweeps over the earth, you will see confusion, war, violence, murder, and every evil work increasing on every hand. You will see portentous things and alarming perils thickening continually. You will see in all these things unmistakable omens of the approach of the great and fatal battle of Armageddon, in which all nations will have an intense interest and an active part. And then, right in the midst of this strenuous world-wide activity, you will see messengers of Christ, like burning and shining lights, going to and fro through all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples, crying with a loud voice, "The Lord is coming soon, get ready, get ready. Hear the everlasting gospel, and prepare to meet thy God." They will have inscribed on their banners these words, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." This will be the Lord's special closing work of salvation on the earth. Those who are thus gathered out from the sinful world, you will see triumph gloriously in a little while. When the world battle of Armageddon has reached an awful crisis, from your inspired lookout you will behold the sky roll back as a scroll, and through the parting heavens will appear another mighty army arrayed in white, led by the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and Prince of Peace. So great is the glory of this heavenly host that all the wicked of earth are destroyed by the brightness thereof; and thus all wicked, warring nations of earth are broken to pieces, and, as nations, forever destroyed. Then Jesus will take his people away to that city reserved and prepared for them in glory. Then will come upon the earth a long, dark night of one thousand years, to be followed by the reappearing of the King of saints, with all the redeemed, and the holy city, the capital of his kingdom. Then will immediately follow the resurrection of the wicked dead, and the execution of the judgment upon all sin and sinners, which will be the second death in the lake of fire. Then will follow quickly the last and the greatest and grandest scene in earth's wonderful drama. "Behold, I make all things new." These words of the Lord Jesus do most appropriately and sublimely introduce the last phase of earth's development and unfolding.4Old earth, long under the devouring curse of sin, will be recast, recreated, rebeautified, and restored to its more than pristine glory. Then the new heavens and the new earth will present a scene of beauty and glory unsurpassed. Above, beneath, all around, everywhere, will be perpetual peace, perfect harmony, sweet melody, matchless beauty, and richest glory. And that will be the fully developed and eternally established kingdom of Christ, the saint's eternal home. Then the will of God will be done upon earth, as it is now done in heaven. Reader, have you received the heavenly anointing? Has the Spirit of God cleared your vision, so that you see all things earthly in the light of eternal truth? If not, be entreatd to hasten to the arms of Jesus, while for a little longer he calls and waits.