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The Acts of the Apostles
dawn of a bright and glorious day. God’s promise to her will stand
fast forever. He will make her an eternal excellency, a joy of many
generations. Truth, passing by those who despise and reject it, will
triumph. Although at times apparently retarded, its progress has never
been checked. When the message of God meets with opposition, He
gives it additional force, that it may exert greater influence. Endowed
with divine energy, it will cut its way through the strongest barriers
and triumph over every obstacle.
What sustained the Son of God during His life of toil and sacrifice?
He saw the results of the travail of His soul and was satisfied. Look-
ing into eternity, He beheld the happiness of those who through His
humiliation had received pardon and everlasting life. His ear caught
the shout of the redeemed. He heard the ransomed ones singing the
song of Moses and the Lamb.
We may have a vision of the future, the blessedness of heaven. In
the Bible are revealed visions of the future glory, scenes pictured by the
hand of God, and these are dear to His church. By faith we may stand
on the threshold of the eternal city, and hear the gracious welcome
given to those who in this life co-operate with Christ, regarding it as
an honor to suffer for His sake. As the words are spoken, “Come,
ye blessed of My Father,” they cast their crowns at the feet of the
Redeemer, exclaiming, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory,
and blessing. ... Honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth
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upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
Matthew 25:34
;
Revelation 5:12, 13
.
There the redeemed greet those who led them to the Saviour, and
all unite in praising Him who died that human beings might have the
life that measures with the life of God. The conflict is over. Tribulation
and strife are at an end. Songs of victory fill all heaven as the ransomed
ones take up the joyful strain, Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was
slain, and lives again, a triumphant conqueror.
“I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number,
of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and 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.”
Revelation 7:9, 10
.