p. 147 | THE TREASURE HID IN THE FIELD

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, March 10, 1885.

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 10. Whole No. 1605.

THE TREASURE HID IN THE FIELD.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

BY ELD. R. F. COTTRELL.

Let us suppose that in this parable relating to the hidden treasure, as in another, “the field is the world,” Man had fallen, lost the “dominion” which had been given him, surrendering it into the hand of the usurper, Satan, and was doomed to return into the earth. Still God loved the world. The Son saw that the lost possession might be redeemed (Eph. 1:14), and that there was a treasure of precious jewels here that might be saved. So “he gave himself,” his life, his soul, his all, to purchase the field. Satan offered to give it back to him without his dying to redeem it, if he would only fall down and worship him; but he did not succeed. Jesus purchased the field and the treasure which was hid in it by giving all that he had.

And now a redeemed and glorious earth is offered to man, provided he will follow Christ. The terms of discipleship demand our all. He that forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be the disciple of Christ and joint-heir with him. It takes a full sacrifice, all that we have. The sacrifice becomes mutual. If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him. And the time will come when he will say, “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” By mutual sacrifice the covenant is ratified. The joy will be mutual, and as enduring as eternity.