LOOKING FORWARD by A. S. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 9, 1861

LOOKING FORWARD.

By A. S. Hutchins

A GLORIOUS and triumphant deliverance is just before the people of God! Those whose "treasures" are laid up in heaven, may confidently expect soon to enter upon their unending reward; soon to possess "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

Says the apostle, "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Col. iii, 2-4. "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Pet. v, 4.

The chief Shepherd is about to appear. "Not long will the wheels of his chariot stay." And shall we not "be diligent that we may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless?"

Now is the time for us to labor and suffer with Christ. Soon the time will come to reign and rejoice with him. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him he also will deny us." 2 Tim. ii, 12.

"Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober, . . . putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."

"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." 1 Thess. v, 6, 8-10.

The sleeping saints will awake at the appearing of the Life-giver, and the righteous living be changed.

"Behold, I shew you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed, . . . then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Cor. xv, 51, 52, 54, 55.

Shouts of victory, and songs of everlasting joy and deliverance are heard everywhere, as the ransomed saints ascend to meet the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

And shall we faint and tire, and sink in sight of the glorious prize? Shall so blissful a future be veiled by the momentary trials and conflicts of this poor, dark, sorrowing world, and the Christian's courage fail here? No, let us rather bid trials a hearty welcome, assured there is One who knows them all, and who will not forget to reward us accordingly.

"God counts the sorrows of his saints; Their groans affect his ears; He has a book for their complaints, A bottle for their tears.

"The Lord can clear the darkest skies, Can give us day for night; Make drops of sacred sorrow rise To rivers of delight.

"Let those who sow in sadness wait Till the fair harvest come; They shall confess their sheaves are great, And shout the blessings home." A. S. HUTCHINS.