The Harp of God: Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die
John Stuart Mill · en
[582]The Lord through his prophet Zechariah gives a wonderful picture of
the establishment of this kingdom and of the blessings that will come.
The prophecy is written in highly symbolic phrase. It reads: "His feet
shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before
Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst
thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very
great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north,
and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the
mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea,
ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of
Uzziah king of Judah; and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints
with thee." (Zechariah 14:4,5) "His feet" in this prophecy represent
Jehovah's feet; while mountain symbolizes kingdom. The olive is a symbol
of light, peace, and divine blessing; hence the picture is that
Jehovah's authority, represented by his feet, will be established upon
earth, by a kingdom of light, peace, and blessing. The cleaving of this
mountain in the midst, showing a part on the north and a part on the
south, pictures the two phases, heavenly and earthly, of the Messianic
kingdom; and the valley between represents the valley of blessings. Into
this valley the sin-sick, sore, feeble, oppressed, yea all, shall flee
and there receive the blessings of the Lord, which will make them rich
in health and peace and happiness for ever.
[583]Every one, then, who believes God's Word and who confidently
expects the kingdom to bring blessings to mankind and who sees it now
being established should watch for the return of Abraham and the other
faithful prophets and get into communication with them as soon as
possible after their return. And acting under their advice, all such
will doubtless find early many opportunities of service, which will
bring to them blessings and happiness.
[584]The Psalmist gives us another picture of this kingdom of blessing,
saying: "The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the
earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof". (Psalm
50:1) The earth here represents the new organized government. The rising
of the sun means the beginning of the Messianic reign; while its going
down pictures the completion of that reign. Therefore, throughout the
whole Millennial reign the Lord will be calling to the peoples of earth
to come into this valley of blessing and receive life, peace, and
happiness. "He shall call to the heavens [the spiritual, invisible part
of the kingdom] from above, and to the earth [the new organized
government], that he may judge his people." (Psalm 50:4) To judge means
to give opportunity for blessings by means of a trial; and this is in
harmony with the other statements of the Scriptures that every one must
have a fair trial for life.
THE DEAD TO RISE