二月七日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/02/0207.mp3″]
经文: 听见有大声音从天上来，对他们说，上到这里来。（启示录十一：12）
我们暂且不考虑这句话所预言的内容，让我们只把这话当作是我们伟大的先驱对祂成圣之子民的邀请。时候到了，我们将听见“有大声音从天上来”，对每一位信徒说：“上到这里来”。这应该是圣徒所欢喜盼望的目标。不必恐惧离世返家见天父的时候，反倒应该渴望得到这自由的时刻。我们不是被召下到坟墓，乃是上到天上。我们属天之灵魂应当渴望呼吸到天然的空气。然而，这属天的呼召是耐心等候的目标。我们的上帝知道呼唤我们“上到这里来”的最佳时刻。我们不必希望加速离世的时间，忍耐能使工作更加完美。倘若在天国中有人后悔，那就是圣徒哀伤他们何以不活得长久些以完成更多善工。哦，但愿主的谷仓中有更多豰粒，但愿祂的冠冕上有更多珠宝！当我们全人服事上帝，而祂也给我们宝贵的种籽去播，并且能收成一百倍时，我们就知道留在地上是好的。无论主人说。“去”或“留”，让我们都欢喜高兴，只要有祂同在，不断赐福就满足了。
Evening, February 7
Scripture: “And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.”(Revelation 11:12)
Without considering these words in their prophetical connection, let us regard them as the invitation of our great Forerunner to his sanctified people. In due time there shall be heard “a great voice from heaven” to every believer, saying, “Come up hither.” This should be to the saints the subject of joyful anticipation. Instead of dreading the time when we shall leave this world to go unto the Father, we should be panting 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. Yet should the celestial summons be the object of patient waiting. Our God knows best when to bid us “Come up thither.” We must not wish to antedate the 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 fitting time for the redeemed to abide 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 sheaves for my Lord’s garner! more jewels for his crown! But how, unless there be 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 giving us to scatter precious seed, and reap a hundredfold, we would even 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 indulges us with his presence.
