Have you ever been so tired and discouraged that you just did not want to do anything? I am sure there are plenty of people out there who know what I am talking about. But it is unusual for me. I have never, even in my years of living under the influence, been a depressive. Most mornings I wake up with a positive attitude. But today is one of those rare days when this is not true.
So, as I sat down to write, I began to think, what it would be like to never wake up tired, sad or depressed. And do you know what? I could not do it. I could not sit here and picture an existence where none of this life’s woes were part of our DNA.
I wanted some picture in my mind that would encourage. Some positive thought that would lift me. And as often happens, the Holy Spirit brought a remembrance of something I read a few years ago. It comes out of a book called “Early Writings” by Ellen G White and in it she describes a vision she had of heaven. I don’t usually copy word for word long sections of writing but as it encouraged me this morning, I thought there may be someone else out there who needs to know that this world is not our home. There is a better land waiting. Take in this beautiful word picture and find hope!
“With Jesus at our head we all descended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great city, with twelve foundations, and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We all cried out, “The city, the great city, it’s coming, it’s coming down from God out of heaven,” and it came and settled on the place where we stood. Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city. There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold. There were to be inhabited by the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God.
“I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out, “They will never fade.” Next, I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts — the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed peaceable after. Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees waved to and fro, and we all cried out, “We will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.” We passed through the woods, for we were on our way to Mount Zion.
“As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments. Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it was seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies.
And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly, to the top of the mountains and pluck the never-fading flowers. There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place: the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs — these made the place all over glorious. As we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, “Only the 144,000 enter this place,” and we shouted, “Alleluia.”
“This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set in pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I saw there I cannot describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us and went into the city. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, “Come, my people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come into supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.” We shouted, “Alleluia! glory!” and entered into the city. And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit. I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit. He said, “Now. Those who eat o the fruit of this land go back to earth no more. But in a little while, if faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit of the tree of life and drink of the water of the fountain.” And He said, “You must go back to earth again and relate to others what I have revealed to you.”
Then an angel bore me gently down to this dark world. Sometimes I think I can stay here no longer; all things of earth look so dreary. I feel very lonely here, for I have seen a better land. Oh, that I had wings like a dove, then would I fly away and be at rest!” (Early Writings by Ellen G. White. Page 15 (part.))
Today, even as I feel deeply the last lines of this writing that, “…. all the things of earth look so dreary….” I am encouraged, I have hope. I am going to keep this picture of our reward in my mind and know this place is not my home. And now I am smiling and ready to do His will! May your day be brightened too!
Happy Sabbath and Blessings,
John
5/17/19
