p. 3 | A Short Sermon by H. A. ST. JOHN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 8, 1913

A Short Sermon

By H. A. ST. JOHN

H. A. ST. JOHN

“Sir, we would see Jesus.” John 12: 21.

How refreshing it was to the early disciples, who were made so sorrowful by the death of Christ, to behold the risen Saviour. Has not the Holy Spirit power to take of the things of Christ and show them unto us? Yea, more, can not the Holy Spirit show Jesus himself unto us, and thus fulfil the Saviour’s promise that he would come and manifest himself to those who love him, and keep his commandments? Reader, would it not be refreshing to you, for Jesus to manifest himself to you in some way, as the chiefest among ten thousand, and the one altogether lovely? Would it not be a shower of blessing indeed? You will be interested to consider the grounds for faith in this respect. Hear the spirit of prophecy:—

Enoch “lived in the atmosphere of heaven.” “He had looked upon the celestial city. He had seen the King in his glory in the midst of Zion.” “To him prayer was the breath of the soul.” “His face was radiant with a holy light, even the light that shineth in the face of Jesus.” “To such communion God is calling us.”

“John the Baptist in his desert life was taught of God. . . . Under the guiding of the divine Spirit, he studied the scrolls of the prophets. . . . He looked upon the King in his beauty, and self was lost sight of. He beheld the Majesty of holiness, and knew himself to be inefficient and unworthy. . . . In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, such a work as that of John is to be done. . . . In order to give such a message as John gave, we must have a spiritual experience like his. . . . We must behold God, and in beholding him, lose sight of self.”

“There are many who in dwelling too largely upon theory have lost sight of the living power of the Saviour’s example.” “What they need is to behold Jesus. Daily we need the fresh revealing of his presence.” See “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VIII, pages 317-333.

What a rich experience is here indicated as within the reach of every one! It will be such a manifestation of Christ to the individual as will be a shower of blessing indeed. Let all begin at once to seek for such showers, for we are in the time of the latter rain. Who knows but the time for the great and general refreshing, even greater than Pentecost, has already come? It surely is not far off. When it does come, all who receive it will be of one accord in one place, not geographically, but spiritually. For this let us all begin at once to pray, for ourselves and for our brethren. When that refreshing shall come, all other blessings will follow quickly in its train. The last message will go with a loud cry, the earth will be lightened with its glory, and a short work will the Lord make on the earth. Then will appear the Lord Jesus in great glory, and every eye will see him. The wicked, in great distress, will seek to hide from the brightness, but the redeemed will rejoice in that brightness. They have had such views of Jesus by faith, in their closing work, that they are all light in the Lord.

“With his radiance splendid Shall your light be blended When his glory shall appear.”