The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 651
own painful experience they learned the evil of sin, its power, its guilt,
its woe; and they look upon it with abhorrence. A sense of the infinite
sacrifice made for its cure humbles them in their own sight and fills
their hearts with gratitude and praise which those who have never fallen
cannot appreciate. They love much because they have been forgiven
much. Having been partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they are fitted to be
partakers with Him of His glory.
The heirs of God have come from garrets, from hovels, from
dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains, from deserts, from the caves
of the earth, from the caverns of the sea. On earth they were “destitute,
afflicted, tormented.” Millions went down to the grave loaded with
infamy because they steadfastly refused to yield to the deceptive claims
of Satan. By human tribunals they were adjudged the vilest of criminals.
But now “God is judge Himself.” Psalm 50:6. Now the decisions of
earth are reversed. “The rebuke of His people shall He take away.”
Isaiah 25:8. “They shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of
the Lord.” He hath appointed “to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil
of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
Isaiah 62:12; 61:3. They are no longer feeble, afflicted, scattered, and
oppressed. Henceforth they are to be ever with the Lord. They stand
before the throne clad in richer robes than the most honored of the
earth have ever worn. They are crowned with diadems more glorious
than were ever placed upon the brow of earthly monarchs. The days
of pain and weeping are forever ended. The King of glory has wiped
the tears from all faces; every cause of grief has been removed. Amid
the waving of palm branches they pour forth a song of praise, clear,
sweet, and harmonious; every voice takes up the strain, until the anthem
swells through the vaults of heaven: “Salvation to our God which sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” And all the inhabitants of heaven
respond in the ascription: “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and
650