prophets and kings-第126章
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forth speedily： and thy righteousness shall go before thee； the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward。〃 Isaiah 58：7； 8。
Thus in the night of spiritual darkness God's glory is to shine forth through His church in lifting up the bowed down and comforting those that mourn。
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All around us are heard the wails of a world's sorrow。 On every hand are the needy and distressed。 It is ours to aid in relieving and softening life's hardships and misery。 The wants of the soul only the love of Christ can satisfy。 If Christ is abiding in us； our hearts will be full of divine sympathy。 The sealed fountains of earnest； Christlike love will be unsealed。
There are many from whom hope has departed。 Bring back the sunshine to them。 Many have lost their courage。 Speak to them words of cheer。 Pray for them。 There are those who need the bread of life。 Read to them from the word of God。 Upon many is a soul sickness which no earthly balm can reach nor physician heal。 Pray for these souls。 Bring them to Jesus。 Tell them that there is a balm in Gilead and a Physician there。
Light is a blessing； a universal blessing； pouring forth its treasures on a world unthankful； unholy； demoralized。 So it is with the light of the Sun of Righteousness。 The whole earth； wrapped as it is in the darkness of sin and sorrow and pain； is to be lighted with the knowledge of God's love。 From no sect； rank； or class of people is the light shining from heaven's throne to be excluded。
The message of hope and mercy is to be carried to the ends of the earth。 Whosoever will； may reach forth and take hold of God's strength and make peace with Him； and he shall make peace。 No longer are the heathen to be wrapped in midnight darkness。 The gloom is to disappear before the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness。
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Christ has made every provision that His church shall be a transformed body； illumined with the Light of the world； possessing the glory of Immanuel。 It is His purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace。 He desires that we shall reveal His own joy in our lives。
〃Arise； shine； for thy light is come； and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee。〃 Isaiah 60：1。 Christ is coming with power and great glory。 He is coming with His own glory and with the glory of the Father。 And the holy angels will attend Him on His way。 While all the world is plunged in darkness； there will be light in every dwelling of the saints。 They will catch the first light of His second appearing。 The unsullied light will shine from His splendor； and Christ the Redeemer will be admired by all who have served Him。 While the wicked flee； Christ's followers will rejoice in His presence。
Then it is that the redeemed from among men will receive their promised inheritance。 Thus God's purpose for Israel will meet with literal fulfillment。 That which God purposes； man is powerless to disannul。 Even amid the working of evil； God's purposes have been moving steadily forward to their accomplishment。 It was thus with the house of Israel throughout the history of the divided monarchy； it is thus with spiritual Israel today。
The seer of Patmos； looking down through the ages to the time of this restoration of Israel in the earth made new； testified：
〃I beheld； and lo； a great multitude； which no man could number； of all nations； and kindreds； and people； and
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tongues； stood before the throne； and before the Lamb； clothed with white robes； and palms in their hands； and cried with a loud voice； saying； Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne； and unto the Lamb。
〃And all the angels stood round about the throne； and about the elders and the four beasts ＇〃living creatures；〃 R。V。＇； and fell before the throne on their faces； and worshiped God； saying； Amen： Blessing； and glory； and wisdom； and thanksgiving； and honor； and power； and might； be unto our God forever and ever。〃
〃And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude； and as the voice of many waters； and as the voice of mighty thunderings； saying； Alleluia： for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth。 Let us be glad and rejoice； and give honor to Him。〃 〃He is Lord of lords； and King of kings： and they that are with Him are called； and chosen； and faithful。〃 Revelation 7：9…12； 19：6； 7； 17：14。
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Chapter 60
Visions of Future Glory
In the darkest days of her long conflict with evil； the church of God has been given revelations of the eternal purpose of Jehovah。 His people have been permitted to look beyond the trials of the present to the triumphs of the future； when； the warfare having been accomplished； the redeemed will enter into possession of the promised land。 These visions of future glory； scenes pictured by the hand of God； should be dear to His church today； when the controversy of the ages is rapidly closing and the promised blessings are soon to be realized in all their fullness。
Many were the messages of comfort given the church by the prophets of old。 〃Comfort ye； comfort ye My people〃 （Isaiah 40：1。）； was Isaiah's commission from God； and with the commission were given wonderful visions that have been the believers' hope and joy through all the centuries that have followed。 Despised of men； persecuted； forsaken； God's children in every age have nevertheless
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been sustained by His sure promises。 By faith they have looked forward to the time when He will fulfill to His church the assurance； 〃I will make thee an eternal excellency； a joy of many generations。〃 Isaiah 60：15。
Often the church militant is called upon to suffer trial and affliction； for not without severe conflict is the church to triumph。 〃The bread of adversity；〃 〃the water of affliction〃 （Isaiah 30：20）； these are the common lot of all； but none who put their trust in the One mighty to deliver will be utterly overwhelmed。 〃Thus saith the Lord that created thee； O Jacob； and He that formed thee； O Israel； Fear not： for I have redeemed thee； I have called thee by thy name； thou art Mine。 When thou passest through the waters； I will be with thee； and through the rivers； they shall not overflow thee： when thou walkest through the fire； thou shalt not be burned； neither shall the flame kindle upon thee。 For I am the Lord thy God； the Holy One of Israel； thy Saviour： I gave Egypt for thy ransom； Ethiopia and Seba for thee。 Since thou wast precious in My sight； thou hast been honorable； and I have loved thee： therefore will I give men for thee； and people for thy life。〃 Isaiah 43：1…4。
There is forgiveness with God； there is acceptance full and free through the merits of Jesus； our crucified and risen Lord。 Isaiah heard the Lord declaring to His chosen ones： 〃I； even I； am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake； and will not remember thy sins。 Put Me in remembrance： let us plead together： declare thou； that thou mayest be justified。〃 〃Thou shalt know that I the Lord
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am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer； the Mighty One of Jacob。〃 Verses 25； 26； 60：16。
〃The rebuke of His people shall He take away；〃 the prophet declared。 〃They shall call them； The holy people； The redeemed of the Lord。〃 He hath appointed 〃to give unto them beauty for ashes； the oil of joy for mourning； the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness； that they might be called trees of righteousness； the planting of the Lord； that He might be glorified。〃
〃Awake； awake； put on thy strength； O Zion； Put on thy beautiful garments； O Jerusalem； the Holy City： For henceforth there shall no more come unto thee the uncircumcised and the unclean。
〃Shake thyself from the dust； Arise； and sit down； O Jerusalem： Loose thyself from the bands of thy neck； O captive daughter of Zion。〃
〃O thou afflicted； tossed with tempest； and not comforted； Behold； I will lay thy stones with fair colors； And lay thy foundations with sapphires。
