ETERNAL LIFE by A. Lanphear

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 15, 1860

ETERNAL LIFE.

By A. Lanphear

To them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory and honor and immortality; [God will render] eternal life.

Patience is a calm and undisturbed temper with which a good man bears the troubles peculiar to this life; being convinced that they are best for him, and calculated to prepare him for that which he hopes beyond all his troubles. It signifies unreserved submission to God in times of trouble and afflictions of this life, enduring them without repining on account of the certain possession of the glory which shall be hereafter revealed.

The word eternal is used to teach us the nature of the punishment of the wicked who live and die in sin. It is called eternal damnation, and the vengeance of eternal fire, because they will die never to live again, and be punished with destruction, which shall prevent their ever being restored to life and favor, being as though they had not been.

Men tell us that man naturally possesses immortality; that the soul, that is, the real man is immortal and cannot die. God's word tells us that man is mortal, and if we would have immortality we must seek for it. If the popular doctrine of man's immortality is true, was not Paul unreasonable in exhorting us to seek for that which we already have? And was not the prophet mistaken when he said, "The soul that sinneth it shall die?" or the apostle, in saying, "The wages of sin is death?"

I think it is Dr. Adam Clarke who says that the soul will exist as long as God endures, ever blooming in the paradise of God, or eternally writhing, not dying, in the regions of despair. Which is right, man's word or God's word? I think it is best and safest for us to believe that God's word is true, though every man be found a liar. Then let us instead of trusting in the traditions of men for eternal life, take the admonition of Paul and seek for glory, honor, immortality and eternal life. Yes, eternal life! Who would not have it if it can be had by seeking for it?

O, how much is contained in the expression, I will give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.

We cannot have eternal life here, for when man transgressed, God drove him out of paradise and placed a flaming sword to guard the tree of life, lest he should partake and live forever. Here we behold the wondrous goodness and love of God. If Adam had been permitted to partake of the tree of life after he had transgressed, he would no doubt with all his posterity, have been immortal and lived forever in the same condition that was brought upon him by the fall. In sorrow and by the sweat of his face would he eat bread to-day, to-morrow, and forever. But blessed be God for the glorious promise spoken of by all the holy prophets, that there should be a restitution of all things. Yes, glory to God, paradise will be restored. The flaming sword will be taken away from guarding the tree of life, and all that overcome will be permitted to partake of it and live forever. This will be when the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom and possess it forever. And the beloved city of our God will be there as the great metropolis or capital of the kingdom. And the city will not need the light of the sun, neither of the moon; for the glory of God will lighten it, and the Lamb will be the light thereof.

This kingdom is drawing near, when we shall see the tree of life, growing and shining forth in its glory and beauty, and the redeemed of the Lord will eat of its delightful fruit; and not only this, but they will drink of that river that makes glad the city of our God. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.

Then, dear reader, come to Jesus who hath the words of eternal life. Come one, come all. The Spirit and the Bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, may come and partake of the water of life freely. Would you not have a dwelling there? Would you not have an inheritance in the land of promise? He whose goings forth have been from old, from the days of eternity, from everlasting, will dwell there! Jesus in all his glory will be there. Would you be there? Then seek for glory, honor, immortality and eternal life. It is your privilege to take the kingdom and possess it forever. O, will you hear the voice of the living God as he speaks to you through the prophets and apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, and live forever? or will you turn away from him who speaks from heaven, and heed not the voice of him who spake as never man spake? He speaks to us through the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom that is now being proclaimed to a dying world.

The prophet says, Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is near at hand.

Again, Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea and all that do wickedly shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of hosts, &c. In Prov. we read, Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed, but he that heareth the commandment shall be rewarded. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed. What is the word? The apostle says, "Thy word is truth." Yes the word of the Lord is truth. And what does that word say to us who live down here in the time of the end? The word has been spoken to us through the proclamation of the first angel's message, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come, &c. O how many have scorned and despised that message, but still it is the word of the Lord. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed. The second message has also been proclaimed and is in the past; and the Lord is now speaking to us through the proclamation of the third angel's message, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture, &c. Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

The Lord is indeed speaking to us. The alarm is being given. His voice is being heard. The day of the eternal deliverance of the saints of the Most High—the destruction of the wicked is fast approaching. We are looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.

Nevertheless we according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. O, sinner seek for glory and honor, not the glory and honor of this world, for they all perish with the using.

Men go to war and fight and kill and devour each other in battle to obtain the honor and glory of men. The hero of many battles is applauded by the high and noble of earth, but soon their glory is departed; it passes away like the morning dew. But if we seek and obtain the honor and glory of God, it will be an enduring substance, joy unspeakable and full of glory.

We must not only seek for honor and glory, but also for immortality; for immortality is the gift of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And he will freely give it to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for it. We shall not have it now, but he will give us the earnest of the Spirit witnessing with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ to a rich inheritance which the righteous Judge will give us at the resurrection of the just, when this mortal shall put on immortality. And then the saying will be brought to pass, Death is swallowed up in victory, O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? Then, and not till then, shall we have our reward; and then there will be a glorious light bursting forth from the eternal throne of God. Jesus will come in all the refulgent glory with which the Father has caused him to be clothed. Then the saints will possess the kingdom. Then indeed they will have glory, honor and immortality, eternal life. Yes, eternal life! What a glorious boon! Eternal life! What a royal gift! Only such a one as could be given by him and him alone, who said, Let there be light and there was light. Eternal life! What a rich inheritance! Even the glory, the righteousness of Jehovah, God of Israel. Who would not have it? It is freely offered to all, and will be given to all who by patient continuance in well doing, seek, &c. And it will be given in the day of the revelation of Jesus Christ. In that day the sacred doors of Paradise are thrown wide open. The flaming sword will fall beneath the wondrous gift; the tree of life is in full view, and all the redeemed will freely pluck and eat, and live forever. They will enter their long lost Eden. The glorious gift is now theirs, even eternal life! O, let it be written upon our hearts in letters of living fire, Eternal life! And let all the full creation, the glad chorus join, till the vast echo fills the realms of space. Hosannah, hallelujah! Praise the Lord. Eternal life in the kingdom of our God! Glorious thought! Who is able to go up and possess it? All those who by patient continuance seek for glory, honor and immortality.

A little longer we must patiently wait till our Redeemer comes. The time is near. Who of us is ready? The bright glories of the eternal world will soon be revealed. We shall, if faithful, soon see the King in his beauty. The glorious end to the Christian is at hand. The time long looked for by the prophets of old. The time of casting out that old serpent the Devil; when it shall be said, Now is come salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ. O blessed day! Day of restitution of all things. But a day of trouble to the wicked, such as there never was since there was a nation. Day of Jehovah's wrath. Day of deep mourning and weeping. The sinners in Zion will be afraid; fearfulness will surprise the hypocrites. The day of Jehovah's vengeance, the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion. But Zion shall be redeemed with judgment and her converts with righteousness. For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favor of Jehovah.

Now is the gathering time. The remnant people of God are being gathered, under the proclamation of the third angel's message, getting ready to receive the promised and purchased possession. And O my friends, none but the pure and holy will possess it. Therefore we would say, Live holy lives. Let your thoughts be holy. Walk in holiness and love.

"Therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also being led away by the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory ever more. Amen."

A. LANPHEAR.

Nile, N. Y.