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Editorial

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 4, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 27.

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Editorial

By Editor

The beauteous vision that enraptured John on the isle of Patmos is a vision that awaits in real substance the sight of every true child of God. "And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true. And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." When the vision of that beautiful city of the redeemed greets the eyes of the ransomed people of God, the vision of John will have become substance, and the hopes, the yearnings, and the fond expectations of God's sons and daughters will be swallowed up in blessed reality. Toward that consummation we look in steadfast faith, knowing that the time is not distant when John's vision will be our reality, when the kingdom of righteousness shall displace the anarchy of sin, and when no dimming veil nor gulf of disobedience shall separate between God, our Father, and his blood-bought children. Then it is that "the righteous shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Then it is that righteousness and truth shall kiss each other, and the habitation of the Infinite be the home of his children, once estranged but now reconciled through the life and sacrifice of the Son of God.
In that kingdom where sin can never come, where affliction can never rise up again, where everything that could bring trouble, or disappointment, or sorrow is forever removed, it is still the privilege of every son and daughter of Adam to have a part. Who would wish to forfeit that opportunity for a few days' or even years' indulgence in the best that this world has to offer?