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these scriptures? Peter fully explains them. first shows that in the day of judgment this terrestrial globe, this earth, will pass away by being burned up. He foretells its utter destruction: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Pet. 3: 10.

What then about the promise of Jesus, that the meek shall inherit the earth? The apostle answers, "We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth." Ver. 13. Ah, how clear! We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth after the heavens and earth which compose this globe are "burned up" and "pass away.' 2 Pet. 3:7-13. Peter is speaking of that land of light and bliss Jesus went to prepare.

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Also, the Revelator, after describing the judgment scene, when this earth and heavens fled away, “and there was found no place for them" (Rev. 20:1115), says: "I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Rev. 21: 1. Mark you! He saw the new heaven and the new earth after "the first heaven and the first earth were passed away."

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When did they pass away? Answer, "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and

there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Rev. 20: 11, 12.

How did they pass away? Answer, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Pet. 3:10.

So then after this earth has passed away we look for new heavens and a new earth. Ver. 13. The new earth is the "heavenly country," the "better country." Heb. 11:16. The new heaven is the "heavenly city," the one "to come." Heb. 11:16; 13:14. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22:14. "There is a land where everlasting suns shed everlasting brightness;

Where the soul drinks from the living streams which roll by God's high throne:

Myriads of glorious ones bring their accepted offerings.

Oh, how blest to look from this dark prison to that shrine, To inhale one breath of Paradise divine,

And enter into the eternal home of rest, which awaits the sons of God."

The apostle Paul informs us that if "in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most

miserable." 1 Cor. 15:19. This language implies that our present enjoyment is based on our future prospects and hope. This was true in the life of Christ; "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame." Amidst the trials, temptations, difficulties, disappointments, and adversities of life, the bright prospects the Christian has in the future, is what encourages him to cleave unto the Lord with a purpose of heart. It enables him to outride the raging storms, and surmount life's billows. When the heavens gather blackness, and the tempests sweep the sky, his hope is anchored in that within the vail. It puts new courage in him, so he is enabled to run and not be weary, to walk and never faint.

Paul, though called to pass through many hardships, testified: "I press forward toward the mark." "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." Heb. 11:24-26. The reward at the end was kept in view.

As to the glories of heaven, we can have but a foretaste. The apostle informs us that to "dwell with Christ" is "far better" than to abide in the flesh. Therefore he adds, "To die is gain." The inspired testimony is that in his presence "there is fulness.

of joy; and at his right hand, pleasures forever

more.

"There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master." Job 3:17-19. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." Dan. 12: 3.

These scriptures give us a faint idea of the glory that shall follow. When all the ungodly, and all sin and evil is forever banished out of his domain-kingdom, "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

"And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." Dan. 7:27. This simply means that after the ungodly are cast into outer darkness the whole universe of God shall be given to the saints. God's whole dominion shall be at their disposal. "And of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end," but they "shall reign forever and ever." With immortal and glorified bodies they shall roam through Elysian fields of glory with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the saints of ages.

"And one of the elders answered, saying unto

me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev. 7:13-17.

THE FINAL AND ETERNAL DOOM OF THE WICKED.

What, we ask, will be the eternal doom of all false worshipers, and wicked men who close this probationary state in rebellion against God's throne? We will let the Bible answer:

"The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition." Rev. 17: 8. "I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame." Dan. 7:11. "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them

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