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The Great Controversy 1888
his own “new name,” [
Revelation 2:17
.] and the inscription, “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 forever
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
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behold his image, sin’s discord banished, its blight removed, and the
human once more in harmony with the divine!
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 this joy, as they behold, among the
blessed, those who have been won to Christ through their prayers,
their labors, and 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