p. 202 | The World of Light

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 25, 1862

The World of Light.

Standing in the midst of our darkness, in a world where there is so much misery, where we see so few things with any degree of clearness, we may learn to prize more the descriptions of that world to which we go—the declaration respecting heaven, with which the Bible so appropriately closes: "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it; and there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him. And they need no candle neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light."

What a glorious career is before the Christian! All his darkness shall yet be dissipated; all that is now obscure shall yet be made light. Destined to live forever and ever; capable of an eternal progression in knowledge; advancing to a world where all is light; soon to be ushered into the splendors of that eternal abode where there is no need of the light of the sun or the moon, and where there is no night, we may well submit for a little time to the mysteries which hang over the divine dealings, and with exulting feeling look onward. In a little time, by a removal to a higher sphere of being, we shall doubtless have made a progress in true knowledge, compared with which, all that we have gained since we left our cradles is a nameless trifle; and then all that there is to be known in the character of our Maker and the principles of the moral government—all that is to be enjoyed in a world of glory without a tear—all that is beatific in the friendship of God the Father, of the ascended Redeemer, of the sacred Spirit, and of the angels—all that is blessed and pure in the goodly fellowship of the apostles and martyrs—and all that is rapturous in re-union with those we loved on earth, and the friendship of the "just made perfect," is before us.

Let it be dark, then, a little longer; let the storm a little longer beat around me, and the waves arise, let even the heavens be overcast, so that I can see neither sun nor star, I will neither murmur nor complain; for I see the light burn clearly that stands on the shores of eternity, and that invites and guides me there.—Way of Salvation.