Homeward Bound

The heritage that God has promised to His people is not in this world… We must live as pilgrims and strangers here if we gain ‘a better country’, that is heavenly.” PP, p. 169-170.

“We are homeward bound. He who loved us so much as to die for us hath builded for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our place of rest. There will be no sadness in the city of God. No wail of sorrow, no dirge of crushed hopes and buried affections, will evermore be heard. Soon the garments of heaviness will be changed for the wedding garment. Soon we shall witness the coronation of our King. Those whose lives have been hidden with Christ, those who on this earth have fought the good fight of faith, will shine forth with the Redeemer’s glory in the kingdom of God.

“It will not be long till we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence, all the trials and sufferings of this life will be as nothingness. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.’ Verses 35-37. Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city of God into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed. ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.’ James 5:7,8.” Test. Vol. 9, p. 287-288. “O what an assurance! What a hope! Let us ever reveal to the world that we are seeking for a better country, even an heavenly. Heaven has been made for us, and we want a part in it. We can not afford to allow anything to separate us from God and heaven. In this life we must be partakers of the divine nature. Brethren an sisters, you have only one life to live. O let it be a life of virtue, a life hid with Christ in God! Unitedly we are to help one another gain perfection of character. To this end, we are to cease all criticism. Onward and still onward we may advance toward perfection, until at last there will be ministered unto us an abundant entrance into the heavenly kingdom.” Rev. & Her., May 26,1904.

“When the Holy Spirit moves upon human minds, all petty complaints and accusations between man and his fellow man will be put away. The bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness will shine into the chambers of the mind and heart. In our worship of God there will be no distinction between rich and poor, white and black. All prejudice will be melted away. When we approach God, it will be as one brotherhood. We are pilgrims and strangers, bound for a better country, even a heavenly. There all pride, all accusation, all self-deception, will forever have an end. Every mask will be laid aside, and we shall ‘see him as he is.’ There our songs will catch the inspiring theme, a praise and thanksgiving will go up to God.” Rev. & Her., Oct. 24,1899.

Of the zealous, self-sacrificing disciples of Christ, it is written that Jesus was not ashamed to call them brethren, so fully did they manifest His Sprit, and bear His likeness. By their works they constantly testified that this world was not their home; their citizenship was above; they were seeking a better country, even a heavenly. Their conversation and affections were on heavenly things. They were in the world, but not of the world; in spirit and practice they were separate from its maxims and customs. Their daily example testified that they were living for the glory of God. Their great interest, like that of their Master, was for the salvation of souls. For this they toiled and sacrificed, counting not their lives dear unto themselves. By their life and character they made a bright track heavenward. Upon such disciples, Jesus can look with satisfaction as His representatives. His character will not be misrepresented through them.” Signs of the Times, Dec. 22,1890.

“By our watching position we are to show that we are truly strangers and pilgrims upon the earth. The difference between those who love the world and those who love Christ is so plain as to be unmistakable. While worldlings are all earnestness and ambition to secure earthly treasure, God’s people are not conformed to the world, but show by their earnest, watching, waiting position that they are transformed; that their home is not in this world, but that they are seeking a better country, even a heavenly.” Test. Vol. 2, p. 194.

“It is recorded of the holy men of old that God was not ashamed to be called their God. The reason assigned is that instead of coveting earthly possessions or seeking happiness in worldly plans or aspirations they placed their all upon the altar of God and made disposition of it to build up His kingdom. They lived only for God’s glory and declared plainly that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth, seeking a better country, that is, an heavenly. Their conduct proclaimed their faith. God could entrust to them His truth and could leave the world to receive from them a knowledge of His will.

“But how are the professed people of God today maintaining the honour of His name? How could the world infer that they are a peculiar people? What evidence do they give of citizenship in heaven?… Puritan plainness and simplicity should mark the dwellings and apparel of all who believe the solemn truths for this time… Our dress, our conversation, should testify of our consecration to God.” Test. Vol. 5, p. 188,189.

“And still our General, who never makes a mistake, says to us, ‘Advance; enter new territory; lift the standard in every land; ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
“The time has come when through God’s messengers the scroll is being unrolled to the world. The truth contained in the first, second, and third angels’ messages must go to every nation, kindred, tongue and people; it must lighten the darkness of every continent, and extend to the islands of the sea. There must be no delay in this work.

“Our watchword is to be, Onward, ever onward! Angels of heaven will go before us to prepare the way. Our burden for the regions beyond can never be laid down till the whole earth is lightened with the glory of the Lord.” Gospel Workers, p. 470.

Our lifework must consist of preparation for eternity. We do not know how soon our lifework will end, and how essential it is that our base and sinful nature be overcome and that we receive the image of Christ. We have no time to lose; every day we must prepare for eternity. Time has been granted to us in this life to seek the gift of eternal life. God has given us probationary time, and if we live our seventy years, how short is this time for working out our salvation! Let us then compare this short time with the life of God. Our short probationary time can end at any moment Then how fervent we should be in the purpose to secure a sure tide to the home in the new earth.

May the Lord help us that one day we can be together in the New Jerusalem and in the New Earth. AMEN