temptations . " The whole earth is at rest , and is quiet : they [ the righteous ] break forth into singing ." Isaiah 14:7 . And a shout of praise and triumph ascends from the whole loyal universe . " The voice of a great multitude ," " as the voice of many waters , and as the voice of mighty thunderings ," is heard , saying : " Alleluia : for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ." Revelation 19:6 .
While the earth was wrapped in the fire of destruction , the righteous abode safely in the Holy City . Upon those that had part in the first resurrection , the second death has no power . While God is to the wicked a consuming fire , He is to His people both a sun and a shield . Revelation 20:6 ; Psalm 84:11 . " I saw a new heaven and a new earth : for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away ." Revelation 21:1 . The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth . Every trace of the curse is swept away . No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin . One reminder alone remains : Our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion . Upon His wounded head , upon His side , His hands and feet , are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought . Says the prophet , beholding Christ in His glory : " He had bright beams coming out of His side : and there was the hiding of His power ." Habakkuk 3:4 , margin . That pierced side whence flowed the 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 honour ; 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 . 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 ." 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 as our home . Christ assured His disciples that He went to prepare mansions 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 describe the reward of the righteous . It will be known only to those who behold it . No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the
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