Africa. Hundreds of those who have been blest in the meetings have died in the triumph of living faith. Many of these were very aged, plucked as brands from the eternal burnings. Many said with their last breath they would be waiting and watching for us at the beautiful gates.
I can say with Joshua, in all the promises the Lord has made, he has never failed in one, but has been with me in every trial and given grace and glory. He has conquered all my enemies and glorified his name again and again. What he has done in the past he will do in the future. I will trust him and go forward until he calls me from labor to reward. If we, as ministers, and churches, and as individuals, have passed through many trials and persecutions and have borne them patiently for Christ’s sake, we will in no wise lose our reward. Jesus says, “Let your heart leap for joy, for great is your reward in heaven.” We ought to thank God we are counted worthy to suffer for him. If we suffer for him we shall reign with him in glory. We know we belong to the company who are going up through great trials and tribulations, having our robes washed in the blood of the Lamb.
When the herald shall shout: “Behold, the bridegroom, cometh! Go ye out to meet him,” what a sight will burst on our raptured vision, as we see the King of Heaven coming! Jesus came to save us from the curse of sin; to restore all that was lost by the fall. Jesus died in the prime of life, in the strength and vigor of manhood. We shall be like him; these “bodies of our humiliation” shall be changed and made like unto the glorious Son of God, not to be unclothed, but clothed upon with immortality. Oh, what a happy meeting that will be! Whole families and friends will rise up from the old churchyards and clasp each other in a long embrace, which will last forever; parents and children shall meet, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors, pastors and flocks. Those who are alive will be changed in a moment, set free from the effects of sin, and be clothed with the glory of heaven.
