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The Great Controversy
“Holiness to the Lord.” In every hand are placed the victor’s palm and
the shining harp. Then, as the commanding angels strike the note,
every hand sweeps the harp strings with skillful touch, awaking sweet
music in rich, melodious strains. Rapture unutterable thrills every
heart, and each voice is raised in grateful praise: “Unto Him that loved
us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made
us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and
dominion for ever and ever.”
Revelation 1:5, 6
.
Before the ransomed throng is the Holy City. Jesus opens wide the
pearly gates, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in. There
they behold the Paradise of God, the home of Adam in his innocency.
Then that voice, richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ear,
is heard, saying: “Your conflict is ended.” “Come, ye blessed of My
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world.”
Now is fulfilled the Saviour’s prayer for His disciples: “I will
that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.”
“Faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (
Jude
24
), Christ presents to the Father the purchase of His blood, declaring:
“Here am I, and the children whom Thou hast given Me.” “Those that
Thou gavest Me I have kept.” Oh, the wonders of redeeming love!
the rapture of that hour when the infinite Father, looking upon the
ransomed, shall behold His image, sin’s discord banished, its blight
removed, and the human once more in harmony with the divine!
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With unutterable love, Jesus welcomes His faithful ones to the joy
of their Lord. The Saviour’s joy is in seeing, in the kingdom of glory,
the souls that have been saved by His agony and humiliation. And the
redeemed will be sharers in His joy, as they behold, among the blessed,
those who have been won to Christ through their prayers, their labors,
and their loving sacrifice. As they gather about the great white throne,
gladness unspeakable will fill their hearts, when they behold those
whom they have won for Christ, and see that one has gained others,
and these still others, all brought into the haven of rest, there to lay
their crowns at Jesus’ feet and praise Him through the endless cycles
of eternity.
As the ransomed ones are welcomed to the City of God, there rings
out upon the air an exultant cry of adoration. The two Adams are about
to meet. The Son of God is standing with outstretched arms to receive