Truly, this is a most painful thought to us
(Maria Sandberg, "Glimpses of Heaven!" 1880)
the ONE who is and who was and
who is to be, because YOU have
sent these judgments. For they have
shed the blood of YOUR saints and
prophets, and YOU have given them
blood to drink as they deserve." And I
heard the altar respond: "Yes, LORD GOD
Almighty, true and just are YOUR judgments!"
Revelation 16:5-7
There are, in this book of Revelation,
not only glimpses of Heaven, and
of the happiness of the redeemed--
but dreadful views of the punishments of Hell:
heat, and they blasphemed the name
of GOD who has power over these
plagues; and they did not repent and
give HIM glory . . . and they gnawed
their tongues because of the pain.
They blasphemed the GOD of Heaven
because of their pains and their sores,
and did not repent of their deeds!"
Revelation 16:9-11.
murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,
idolaters, and all liars shall have their part
in the lake which burns with fire and
brimstone!" Revelation 21:8
It must be a painful thought to
the people of GOD, that so many
of their fellow-creatures are
everlastingly banished from
the presence of the LORD, and
that so many others are following
on in the broad road that leads
to eternal destruction!
Perhaps among both the former
and the latter, are some dear to us
by the ties of kindred or friendship.
Truly, this is a most painful
thought to us in this present world--
but it will not be so in Heaven.
For we shall have such a sense of
the justice of GOD in the punishment
of the wicked, that we shall acquiesce
in their sentence of condemnation,
and say, "Yes, LORD GOD Almighty,
true and just are your judgments!
They are worthy of everlasting damnation!"
Oh, my soul, what can I render
to my SAVIOR who has delivered
my soul from the nethermost Hell?
Surely, but for HIS blood shed for me,
I could never have had an entrance
into HIS everlasting kingdom!
Let me, then, first learn a lesson
of deep humility, of ceasing from
vain-glory, and thoughts of my own
worthiness. Let me say,
"O to grace how great a debtor!"
Then let me learn a lesson of submission
to the righteous will of GOD in HIS dealings
with mankind. What I do not know now--
I shall know hereafter; and then shall
I be constrained to say,
and just are YOUR judgments!"
(Revelation 16:7)
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