“Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here!’” Revelation 11:12
Without considering these words in their prophetic connection, let us regard them as the invitation of our great Forerunner to his sanctified people. In due time there shall be heard “a loud voice from heaven” to every believer, saying, “Come up here!” This should be a subject of joyful anticipation to the saints. Instead of dreading the time when we shall leave this world to go to the Father, we should be yearning for the hour of our emancipation. Our song should be—
We are not called down to the grave, but up to the skies. Our heaven-born spirits should long for their native air. Yet the celestial summons should be the object of patient waiting. Our God knows best when to bid us “Come up here.” We must not wish to hurry the period of our departure. I know that strong love will make us cry,
“O Lord of Hosts, the waves divide, And land us all in heaven;”
But patience must have her perfect work. God ordains with accurate wisdom the most fitting time for the redeemed to abide below. Surely, if there could be regrets in heaven, the saints might mourn that they did not live longer here to do more good. Oh, for more grains for my Lord’s harvest! More jewels for his crown! But how, unless there is more work? True, there is the other side of it, that, living so briefly, our sins are fewer. But oh! when we are fully serving God, and he is sending us to scatter precious seed, and reap a hundredfold, we would even say it is well for us to abide where we are. Whether our Master shall say “go,” or “stay,” let us be equally well pleased so long as he indulges us with his presence.
Adapted from Morning and Evening.
