Visions of a Glorious Future

In the darkest days of the long conflict with evil, the people of God have been given revelations of Jehovah’s eternal plan. He has permitted them to look beyond the trials of the present to the triumphs of the future, when the redeemed will possess the Promised Land. Today the controversy of the ages is rapidly coming to a close, and the promised blessings will soon arrive. Despised, persecuted, and forsaken, God’s children in every age have looked forward to the time when He will fulfill His assurance, “I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations.” Isaiah 60:15.RR 253.1

The church will triumph, but not without severe conflict. “The bread of adversity,” “the water of affliction” (Isaiah 30:20), these are common to all of us; but none will be overwhelmed if they put their trust in the One mighty to deliver. “Thus says the Lord, who created you, ... ‘I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’” Isaiah 43:1-3.RR 253.2

There is forgiveness with God; there is acceptance full and free through the merits of Jesus, our crucified and risen Lord. “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.” “You shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior.” Verse 25; 60:16.RR 253.3

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17RR 253.4

Wearing the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter on her final conflict. She is to go out into all the world, conquering and to conquer. The darkest hour of the struggle comes just before the day of final deliverance. When “the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall,” God will be to His church “a refuge from the storm.” Isaiah 25:4.RR 253.5

The word of the Lord to His faithful ones is, “Come, My people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past. For behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” Isaiah 26:20, 21.RR 254.1