p. 277 | THE GRAND REUNION by H. D. Banks

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 29, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 18

THE GRAND REUNION.

By H. D. Banks

THE ARMY OF THE LORD.

BY H. D. BANKS.

How often we hear of the reunion of the soldiers and sailors who fought together in the late civil war. Old comrades meet, and talk of the hardships and dangers they have passed through; how, on many a hard-fought field, they stood shoulder to shoulder, while amid the roar of cannon, and the rattle of musketry, many of their brave comrades fell to rise no more. Many of these part, perhaps never to meet again.

Then we hear of the reunion of families who have been separated for years. How gladly the father and mother welcome home their dear children; and brothers and sisters greet one another with tears of joy. But alas! these will have to part, and tender chords will be severed.

But there is to be another reunion,—that of the soldiers who have fought under King Immanuel; and for them there will be no parting. These soldiers have fallen all along the line, for nearly six thousand years. Righteous Abel was the first one slain. Then came a long line of marches and struggles for the right, till we arrive at the battle of the wilderness. This contest lasted about forty years; and many a soldier under the Good King won for himself laurels that shall never grow dim.

Still the war continues. We pass over many sieges, and many heroic deeds wrought by mighty men of old, till we come to the far-famed land of Babylon. Here the courageous Daniel and his worthy associates faced an immense host. Here the conflict waxed hot, till at last the idolatrous king, Nebuchadnezzar, with the vast multitude under his command, surrendered to the God of Heaven.

Passing over a period of more than six hundred years, we arrive at Mount Calvary, where King Immanuel, single-handed and alone, met and conquered the powers of darkness. Here the Captain of our salvation, who was made perfect through suffering, yielded up his life, that he might ransom his soldiers from the grave. But the dark prison-house had no power to hold him, and he walked forth a conqueror over death and the grave.

We hasten over the victories won by the apostles, including undaunted Paul, whose name will forever shine as the stars of heaven; and soon we find ourselves on the bloody field where, for twelve hundred years, the papacy made war on the saints of God, and prevailed against them. Here the enemy was determined to wipe out every soldier of the cross; and it is said that upward of fifty millions, who counted not their lives dear unto them, won for themselves the glorious crown of martyrdom. They, too, will be gathered at the reunion, with all the good and true.

Now, dear fellow-soldiers of the cross, we come to our own time. The final conflict is just before us. As seen in the prophetic Word, the dragon is wroth with the remnant of the seed of the woman, and will make war with those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. The third angel’s message, bearing upon its front the seal of the living God, and bringing to light the coming of our King, must be borne to the world. Precious souls must be warned of coming wrath, and saved in the kingdom of God. The task is an arduous one, but the victory is sure.

Let us buckle on the armor a little closer; the battle is almost over, and the Golden City, with its jasper walls and pearly gates, is just before us. In it, the grand reunion will be held. The good of all ages will there meet their loved Commander, ever to enjoy his presence. Oh, how my soul longs to join that happy throng!

Fremont, Mich.