The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-12-14

Peopic'-NeV. Zl:5.
AS we approach the end of tb. veor
our mlhds turn from the imperial city
where lust we have any authentic rec,
ora OF Paul, to the eternal city in
"hlch he has sc long resided. In les.
son ten we studied Jesus Christ in his
resurrection glory, the source of NIL
power, King OF Kirgs and Lord Of
Lords for the redemption of the tu.
man race. In Lesson II we studied
the glOrified Christ who is actunlly
working through his churches Cs the
representatives Of Ills kingdom upon
earth. The succeeding chapters do.
scribe IN symbols and pictures the dis
clpline ana training of Gods people
during the long generations that fol-
lowed. In the lesson for today. we
have vision Of the final triumph or
Christianity when it Shall have ac-
complished its work of redempticn in
this world.
!. The New Heaven and the New Earth
wv. 10. John in vision saw the con-
summation Of the work of Christinn-
ity. the visible answer to the PRAYER
which Jesus Christ taught his disciples
to pray, "thy kingdom come, thy will
be done on earth as In heaven"
Heaven, as well as earth, has been in
vaded and polluted by sin, but both
alike are to be made new. UPeter 3 10.
IL, lS). The true Jerusalem, Of which
Solomon's was but type, is Of heav-
cnly and divine origin. It comes down
out of heaven from God. We know
nothing of the Inhabitants of the uni
verse OF which we are Part, but here
we have some scriptural Indication Of
that place where Gods children are to
be with him eternally. The kingdom
OF God is among you, but it is even
tually to be with God and Jesus in a
peculiar and beautiful way. Johns
announcement came from out OF hcav-
en- and out Of the throne. G) 1t
was tabernacle Of God with men
rather he shall tabernacle with men.
He Is to pitch his tent among us (John
l ID r. V. marg.) 1t is to be cone
eventually and permanently. This
dwelling of God among us lies at the
foundation Of the blessedness and glo-
rics which are to follow. (2) They
Shall be his people. Israel had been
his people; all nations are to be his
Deopre in the fullest sense. (3) God
himself shall be with them, not only
his tabernacle but he, himself visibly,
personally. (4) He shall be tEeir God,
acknowledged in all his infinite claims,
and he to them all that God is Of love,
power, wisdom, holiness and glory.
(6) Iie shall wipe away every tear
from their eyes. There will net be a
single grief or heartache, unsatisfied
longing or tear, for God shall wine
them away, and they will stay wiped
away. (G) Death shall be no more.
or oil the enemies, death is the last
one which shall be taken from tho
earth. 1t is sweet to know that this
last enemy is to be conquered. (O
There shall be no mourning, crying or
pain any more. Every sorrow, agony,
remorse, gloom, disappointment gone
forever; death, tears, mourning all
passed away. 1t is hard for us to COM
prehend the majesty and sweep of this
great and glorious promise. (See I
Cor. 15).
II. The Coming Light and Glory wv,
22-2D. The intervening verses are a
wonderful description of the founda-
tion walls and gates of the city. There
will be no temple in that city for it will
not be needed. Instead Of the temple
which stands for the temple Of earth
there Is to be the presence of God,
himself, but the lamb is also in the
Iidst Of 1t. Nothing can more force,
fully impress upon us the deity and pre-
eminence Of Jesus Christ, the atoning
lamb, slain before the foundation of
the world. This city is to be city of
light and glory. 1t will not be an H.
Elimination by gas nor electricity, for
the glory Of the Lord shall tighten IT.
Summary. What are the lessons for
our day from this vision Of the new
heaven and the new earth? First:
That the golden age of the Bible has
not yet taken place. There are better
times to come than anything the world
has yet seen. Second: We have here
the positive assurance Of the success
of our leader ana the victory Of Chris
tianity in its conflict with evil. Third:
The golden ideal Of heaven is tho
means by which we can test our daily
lives and the whole course Of our con.
duct. The question we should con-
stantly ask is, "Are we going to this
heavenly ideal?" Fourth: The gates
of that city are open; an angel is at
each gate, and shall keep cut all evil.
God desires that all men everywhere
should repent, and is not willing that
any should perish.
When the final assize shall have
passed, no one will say that God did
not give him chance nor seek to in
spire him to place of eternal Joy at
his right hand.
Again there is to be federation of
the forces Of good. Today we too