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Darkness Before Dawn
Creation Delivered from Sin
Satan’s work of ruin is forever ended. For six thousand years
he has wrought his will, filling the earth with woe and causing grief
throughout the universe. The whole creation has groaned and travailed
together in pain. Now God’s creatures are forever delivered from his
presence and temptations. “The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet:
they [the righteous] break forth into singing.”
Isaiah 14:7
. And a shout
of praise and triumph ascends from the whole loyal universe. “The
voice of a great multitude,” “as the voice of many waters, and as the
voice of mighty thunderings,” is heard, saying: “Alleluia: for the Lord
God omnipotent reigneth.”
Revelation 19:6
.
While the earth was wrapped in the fire of destruction, the righteous
abode safely in the Holy City. Upon those that had part in the first
resurrection, the second death has no power. While God is to the
wicked a consuming fire, He is to His people both a sun and a shield.
Revelation 20:6
;
Psalm 84:11
.
“I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the
first earth were passed away.”
Revelation 21:1
. The fire that consumes
the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away.
No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful
consequences of sin.
The Marks of Love Remain
One reminder alone remains: Our Redeemer will ever bear the
marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side,
His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin
has wrought. Says the prophet, beholding Christ in His glory: “He
had bright beams coming out of His side: and there was the hiding
of His power.”
Habakkuk 3:4
, margin. That pierced side whence
flowed the crimson stream that reconciled man to God—there is the
Saviour’s glory, there “the hiding of His power.” “Mighty to save,”
through the sacrifice of redemption, He was therefore strong to execute
justice upon them that despised God’s mercy. And the tokens of His
humiliation are His highest honor; through the eternal ages the wounds
of Calvary will show forth His praise and declare His power.