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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
labored to bless and save the lost. If you are Christians you will imitate
His example. He has laid the foundation, and we are builders together
with Him. But what material are we bringing to lay on this foundation?
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s
work of what sort it is.” If you are devoting all your strength and talent
to the things of this world, your lifework is represented by wood, hay,
and stubble, to be consumed by the fires of the last day. But unselfish
labor for Christ and the future life will be as gold, silver, and precious
stones; it is imperishable.
My brethren and sisters, awake, I beseech you, from the sleep of
death. It is too late to devote the strength of brain, bone, and muscle
to self-serving. Let not the last day find you destitute of heavenly
treasure. Seek to push the triumphs of the cross, seek to enlighten
souls, labor for the salvation of your fellow beings, and your work will
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abide the trying test of fire.
“If any man’s work abide, ... he shall receive a reward.” Glorious
will be the reward bestowed when the faithful workers are gathered
about the throne of God and the Lamb. When John in his mortal state
beheld the glory of God, he fell as one dead; he was not able to endure
the sight. But when mortal shall have put on immortality, the ransomed
ones are like Jesus, for they see Him as He is. They stand before the
throne, signifying that they are accepted. All their sins are blotted
out, all their transgressions borne away. Now they can look upon the
undimmed glory from the throne of God. They have been partakers
with Christ of His sufferings, they have been workers together with
Him in the plan of redemption, and they are partakers with Him in the
joy of beholding souls saved through their instrumentality to praise
God through all eternity.
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