THE FUTURE STATE by Mrs. A. W. Heald

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 25, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 45.

THE FUTURE STATE.

By Mrs. A. W. Heald

A clergyman of high standing in the Congregational Church, in his remarks at the recent funeral services of a brother minister in Manchester, N. H., made use of the following words:—

"I wish to say a word in regard to the future upon which our dear father and brother has just entered. I believe there are different degrees and different kinds of enjoyment in the future state. To some, rest is given, when the life here was hard and laborious. To others, a sweet relief from especial pain and suffering here. And companionship to others, who were lonely and friendless on earth; and to others, service. Our friend and brother who now lies here before us loved the service of God, and I can but believe that somewhere in God's universe there is a work for him, upon which he has even now entered."

In these "perilous times," when error is proclaimed on every hand, and false prophets would, if possible, "deceive the very elect," the only sure way to detect and refute false doctrine is by comparing it with the truth as revealed in the Scriptures. Let us, then, hide God's word in our hearts, for "the entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Ps. 119:130.

The Scriptures are very plain on the subject of man's future state. "It is written," "There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Eccl. 9:10. "Man lieth down, and riseth not; till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." Job 14:12. Then, "Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee; thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands." Verse 15.

How will the Lord call?—"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thess. 4:16. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." 1 Cor. 15:22, 23.

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thess. 4:17, 18.

And, dear friends, who have laid away the precious dust of your loved ones beneath the grassy mound, is there not a deeper and more abiding comfort for us in these positive declarations of Inspiration than any we can derive from the fanciful "I believe" of the popular theologian? Mrs. A. W. Heald.