Chapter 52—Above Earthly Kingdoms
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments,
and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of
heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:19
.
The qualities which shine with greatest luster in the kingdoms of the
world, have no place in Christ’s spiritual kingdom. That which is highly
exalted among men, and brings exaltation to its possessor, such as caste,
rank, position, or wealth, is not esteemed in the spiritual kingdom. The Lord
says, “Them that honour me, I will honour” (
1 Samuel 2:30
). In Christ’s
kingdom men are distinguished according to their piety....
The kingdom of heaven is of a higher order than any earthly kingdom.
Whether we shall have a higher position or a lower position, will not be
determined by our rank, wealth, or education, but by the character of the
obedience rendered to the word of God. Those who have been actuated
by selfishness and human ambition, who have been striving to be greatest,
who have been self-important, who have felt above confessing mistakes and
errors, will have no place in the kingdom of God. Whether men will be
honored as members of the royal family of God, will be determined by the
manner in which they bear the test and proving of God that is brought to bear
upon them in this life. Those who have not been self-denying, who have
not manifested sympathy for the woes of others, who have not cultivated
the precious attributes of love, who have not manifested forbearance and
meekness in this life, will not be changed when Christ comes....
The character which we now manifest is deciding our future destiny. The
happiness of heaven will be found by conforming to the will of God, and
if men become members of the royal family in heaven, it will be because
heaven has begun with them on earth. They have cherished the mind of
Christ, and when the call comes, “Child, come up higher,” the righteous will
take every grace, every precious, sanctified ability, into the courts above, and
exchange earth for heaven. God knows who are the loyal and true subjects
87