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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
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.
I hope, my dear brethren and sisters, that you will not pass your
eye over these words without thoroughly considering their import.
As the men of Galilee stood looking steadfastly toward heaven, to
catch, if possible, a glimpse of their ascending Saviour, two men in
white apparel, heavenly angels commissioned to comfort them for
the loss of the presence of their Saviour, stood by them and inquired:
“Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same
Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”
God designs that His people shall fix their eyes heavenward,
looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. While the attention of worldlings is turned to various enter-
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prises, ours should be to the heavens; our faith should reach further
and further into the glorious mysteries of the heavenly treasure,
drawing the precious, divine rays of light from the heavenly sanctu-
ary to shine in our hearts, as they shine upon the face of Jesus. The
scoffers mock the waiting, watching ones, and inquire: “Where is
the promise of His coming? You have been disappointed. Engage
now with us, and you will prosper in worldly things. Get gain, get
money, and be honored of the world.” The waiting ones look upward
and answer: “We are watching.” And by turning from earthly plea-
sure and worldly fame, and from the deceitfulness of riches, they
show themselves to be in that position. By watching they become
strong; they overcome sloth and selfishness and love of ease. Afflic-
tion’s fire kindles upon them, and the waiting time seems long. They
sometimes grieve, and faith falters; but they rally again, overcome
their fears and doubts, and while their eyes are directed heavenward,
say to their adversaries: “I am watching, I am waiting the return of
my Lord. I will glory in tribulation, in affliction, in necessities.”
The desire of our Lord is that we should be watching, so that
when He cometh and knocketh we may open to Him immediately. A
blessing is pronounced upon those servants whom He finds watching.
“He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and
will come forth and serve them.” Who among us in these last days