Adventure Day 26 - 3/19/09

In 1861, during early days of the Civil War, Julia Howe wrote the famous lyric....

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

These lyrics were inspired by our Adventure Bible text for today [Read Revelation 14:1-20]. Beginning in v. 14, we are told of the future "Harvests of the Earth" - a first harvest by Christ as a gathering of the saints; a second harvest that envisions the bloody destruction of the wicked ("grapes of wrath"). Perhaps you've wondered, as I have, just what those lines in the Battle Hymn of the Republic were referring to...now you know (see vv. 17-20).

Another interesting/tragic aspect of this passage is the its affirmation of the reality of Hell, and the eternal aspect of punishment for sin (see v. 11), contrary to what many today want to believe (i.e., that Hell doesn't exist, or that non-believers simply are annihilated at the Last Judgment).

Finally, look at vv. 12-13... a sweet encouragement to keep the Faith and promise of reward for faithfulness . "Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus... 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord... Blessed indeed, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them'."

Keep the Faith, Friend...it will be worth it all when we see Jesus!
Pastor Paul