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The Great Controversy 1888
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.
“O Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto
thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” [
Micah 4:8
;
Ephesians
1:14
.] The time has come, to which holy men have looked with longing
since the flaming sword barred the first pair from Eden,—the time for
“the redemption of the purchased possession.” [
Micah 4:8
;
Ephesians
1:14
.] The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed by
him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty foe, has
been brought back by the great plan of redemption. All that was lost
by sin has been restored. “Thus saith the Lord ... that formed the
earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he
formed it to be inhabited.” [
Isaiah 45:18
.] God’s original purpose in
the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of
the redeemed. “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein
forever.” [
Psalm 37:29
.]
A fear of making the future inheritance seem too material has led
many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead us to look upon it
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as our home. Christ assured his disciples that he went to prepare man-
sions for them in the Father’s house. Those who accept the teachings
of God’s Word will not be wholly ignorant concerning the heavenly
abode. And yet, “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that
love him.” [
1 Corinthians 2:9
.] Human language is inadequate to de-
scribe the reward of the righteous. It will be known only to those who
behold it. No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of
God.
In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called a country. [
He-
brews 11:14-16
.] There the heavenly Shepherd leads his flock to foun-
tains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month,
and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are
ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees
cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the
Lord. There the widespreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and