Evening, February 7, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” — Revelation 11:12

Without considering these words in their prophetic connection, let us regard them as the invitation of our great Forerunner, Jesus, to his purified people. In due time there shall be heard “a great voice from heaven” to every believer, saying, “Come up here.” This should be to believers the subject of joyful anticipation. Instead of dreading the time when we shall leave this world to go to the Father, we should be longing for the hour of our emancipation. Our song should be—

“My heart is with him on his throne,

And ill can brook delay;

Each moment listening for the voice,

Rise up and come away.'”

We are not called down to the grave, but up to the skies. Our heaven-born spirits should long for their native air. Even so, the celestial summons should be the object of patient waiting. Our God knows best when to bid us “Come up here.” We must not wish to leave earlier than the destined period of our departure. I know that strong love will make us cry,

“O Lord of Hosts, the waves divide,

And land us all in heaven;”

but patience must have her perfect work. God ordains with accurate wisdom the most appropriate time for the redeemed to reside below. Surely, if there could be regrets in heaven, the saints might mourn that they did not live longer here to do more good. Oh, for more armfuls of souls for my Lord’s harvest! Oh, for more jewels for his crown! But how, unless there is put forth more work? True, there is the other side of it, that, living so briefly, our sins are the fewer;  but oh, when we are fully serving God, and he is allowing us to scatter precious seed, and reap a hundredfold, even we would say it is well for us to abide where we are! Whether our Master shall say “go,” or “stay,” let us be equally well pleased so long as he treats us with his presence.