January 7, 2020

A LITTLE LONGER AND LOVED ONES UNITED
 
        In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.--1 Corinthians 15:52
 
    Christ is coming with clouds and with great glory.  He will come to honor those who have loved Him, and kept His commandments, and to take them to Himself.  He has not forgotten them nor His promise.  There will be a relinking of the family chain.  When we look upon our dead, we may think of the morning when the trump of God shall sound, when "the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:52.
 
    A little longer, and we shall see the King in His beauty.  A little longer, and He will wipe all tears from our eyes.  A little longer, and He will present us "faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." Jude 1:24.  Wherefore, when He gave the signs of His coming He said, "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (The Desire of Ages, 632)
 
    The tempest is coming and we must get ready for its fury by having repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Lord will arise to shake terribly the earth.  We shall see troubles on all sides.  Thousands of ships will be hurled into the depths of the sea.  Navies will go down, and human lives will be sacrificed by millions.  Fires will break out unexpectedly and no human effort will be able to quench them.  The palaces of earth will be swept away in the fury of the flames.  Disasters by rail will become more and more frequent.  Confusion, collision, and death without a moment's warning will occur on the great lines of travel.  The end is near, probation is closing.  Oh, let us seek God while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near! (Messages to Young People, 89-90)
 
 
REFLECTION:  Glorious is the triumph awaiting the faithful.  The apostle [Paul], realizing the possibilities before the Corinthian believers, sought to set before them that which uplifts from the selfish and the sensual, and glorifies life with the hope of immortality.  Earnestly he exhorted them to be true to their high calling in Christ. (The Acts of the Apostles, 321)