The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-12-09
THE SAINTS IN HEAVEN.
International Sunday-School Les.
son for December IL, 1890.

Jesus Christ, and Hc Crucified, the Only
Way to Heaven-Thc Road to Purity
-lsiesslngs Of Heavenly Life
Practical Suggestions.
Especially arranged from 9. 9. QUARTERLY
Rev. 1917; commit verses 1915.
.. After this beheld, and. 10. great multi
tude, which no man could number. of all nations,
and lsindreds, and people, and tongues, stood
before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed
with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10. And cried with % loud voice, saying: Saliva
tion to our God which sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb
II. And all the angels stood round about the
throne. and about the elders and the four beasts,
and fell before the throne on their faces, and
worshiped God,
H. Saying: Amen: Blessing and glory, and
wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and pow.
er, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever,
Amen.
49, And one Of the elders answered saying
unto me: What are these which are arraycd In
white robes? and whence came theyf
H. And said unto him: Sir, Thou knowest
And he said to me: These are they which came
out of great tribulation, and have washed their
robes, and made them white in the blood Of the
Lamb.
15 Therefore orc they before the throne of
God, ind serve Him day and night in His tenn
pie; and He that sitteth on the throne shall
dwell among them
H. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst
any more; neither shall the sun light on them,
nor any heat.
H. For the Lamb which is in the midst OF the
throne shall feed them, and shall lead the n
unto the living fountains of waters, and God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
TIME-Probably A. u. 95 or %.
INTRoDUCTIoN-Six of the seals of the
book referred to in our last lesson were
opened. But the tumult and conflict were
so great, and the tribulations so intense,
that Gods people might be discouraged.
Therefore, before the description continues,
the Heavens are opened again, and it is seen
that in reality great numbers are saved,
and their rewards far out-balance their
earthly sufferings.
HELPS OVER HARD PLAcEs-9. And, 10, a
great multitude, mhich no man could number:
this representation is in strong contrast
with very common opinion that only q
few will be saved. The representation in
the Bible is that immense hosts of the human
race will be saved. We have every reason
to believe that, taking the race at large,
and estimating it as a whole, a vast majori-
ty Of the whole will be brought to Heaven
For the true religion is yet to be spread all
over the world, and perhaps for many,
many thousands of years piety is to be as
prevalent as sin has been: and in that long
and happy time Of the worlds history we
may hope that the numbers Of the saved
may surpass all who have been lost in the
past periods, beyond any power of compu-
tation.-A. Barnes. Of all nations: this i'm.
plies two things: W that the Gospel
would be preached among all nations: and
| (2) that even when it was thus preached to
them, they would keep up their national
characteristics. Stood before the throne: in
the very center of Heavens blessings.
Clothed aciM achite robes: emblems Of purity,
of festivity, and Joy. Palms in their hands.
| marks Of JOY and victory.
NoTE Q) that no one nation can attain its
highest state till all nations are Christian
! lied, as the waters of the sea can not keep
the high level of their waves unless all the
| sea is lifted up. Note (2) that every Chris
tian people,is better and happier on account
of the great variety of Christians. Each
, nation and race has something special to
contribute to the general good; and there
| will always be something lacking
! from the harmony of the new song
| till every nation joins in it. Nott
! (3) missions have more than repaid their
| expense in men and money many times
over, If they have done no more than prove
that the religion of Jesus is adapted to all
| Of every race and name, and therefore is
| Divine.
II. Elders; -four beasts: see last lesson.
| Fell before the throne: in the attitude Of rev.
, ercnce and worship. Many Sunday-schoo
| scholars can learn lesson from these
| angels. 13. And one of hs elders aas,oereti:
, tho questioning look of John. 10. serm Hin,
/, day and night IN His temple: oil they do is
In His service and is sacred, because done
fp~ ball fY,roN q q
spread His tabernacle over them," for pro.
lection, and abiding with them. IS. Neiths,
| shall the sun light on them: the fierce East
ern sun witherod the plants, and caused
! sunstroko. In this view it was the type OF
! strong temptations that would wither their
| pious feelings. II. For the Lamb ,rhich Is ia
| he midst Of the throne: the same Jesus who,
| in His human body, loved and taught and
gave His life for His people, but now on the
throne Of power. Shall feed them: shepherd
them, do oil for them that shepherd does
for his sheep. And lead them unto liring
fountains Of ,caters: the water Of eternal life,
refreshing, joyous, free, enduring The al
lusion is undoubtedly to tho happiness OF
Heaven, represented as fresh and overflow.
] ing, like streams in the desert. No image
of happiness, perhaps, is more vivid, OF
would be more striking to an Oriental, than
|
and burning wastes. The word living here
must refer to the fact that that happiness
will be perennial. And God shaH ripe ayay
all tears from their eyes: no tears shall gather
| in any eye, for the sources of sorrow will
be cut of in the land where thsra is no
more sin. None can weep again when it il
God who wiped away their tears.
SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL REPoRTs-The
reason for this vision. The number of the
saved. Worship. White robes. The way
to purity, to Heaven. The blessings Of the
Heavenly life.
| GOLDEN TExT-Therefore nre they before
the throne of God, and serve Him day an6
night in His temple.-Rev. Z: Is.
CENTRAL TRUTu-The saints in Heaven are
countless in number, pure in character
| saved by the blood of Jesus, serving God
! night and day, boundless in joy and bless
| ing.
| PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
l. Heaven is shown to us Q) that we may
see how we ought to live here; (2) that We
may take courage amid the trials Of life;
! (3) that men may be attracted to its princi-
/ pies
2. It is q great comfort to know that al
innumerable multitude Of people will be
| saved.
g. Those who are saved are pure in heart
therefore we should cultivate purity.
4. Those who reach Heaven are full oi
praise and worship, therefore we shoulc
cherish praising hearts, and be filled with