186
Last Day Events
fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary
with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God.—
The Great
[280]
Controversy, 542, 543
(1911).
Homeward Bound!
The living righteous are changed “in a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye.” At the voice of God they were glorified; now they are
made immortal, and with the risen saints are caught up to meet their
Lord in the air. Angels “gather together His elect from the four winds,
from one end of heaven to the other.” Little children are borne by holy
angels to their mothers’ arms. Friends long separated by death are
united, nevermore to part, and with songs of gladness ascend together
to the city of God.—
The Great Controversy, 645
(1911).
We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending
to the sea of glass.—
Early Writings, 16
(1851).
And as the chariot rolled upward, the wheels cried, “Holy,” and
the wings, as they moved, cried, “Holy,” and the retinue of holy angels
around the cloud cried, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!” And
the saints in the cloud cried, “Glory! Alleluia!”—
Early Writings,
35
(1851).
Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him and be welcomed as His
redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our hope is not to grow dim.
If we can but see the King in His beauty we shall be forever blessed. I
feel as if I must cry aloud, “Homeward bound!”—
Testimonies for the
Church 8:253
(1904).
[281]
The Angels Sing, Christ Has Conquered!
In that day the redeemed will shine forth in the glory of the Father
and the Son. The angels, touching their golden harps, will welcome
the King and His trophies of victory—those who have been washed
and made white in the blood of the Lamb. A song of triumph will peal
forth, filling all heaven. Christ has conquered. He enters the heavenly
courts, accompanied by His redeemed ones, the witnesses that His
mission of suffering and sacrifice has not been in vain.—
Testimonies
for the Church 9:285, 286
(1909).
With unutterable love, Jesus welcomes His faithful ones to the joy
of their Lord. The Saviour’s joy is in seeing in the kingdom of glory