And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Revelation 21:10.
At the close of the thousand years, Christ again returns to the earth. He is accompanied by the host of the redeemed, and attended by a retinue of angels. As He descends in terrific majesty, He bids the wicked dead arise to receive their doom. They come forth, a mighty host, numberless as the sands of the sea. What a contrast to those who were raised at the first resurrection! The righteous were clothed with immortal youth and beauty. The wicked bear the traces of disease and death.
Every eye in that vast multitude is turned to behold the glory of the Son of God. With one voice the wicked hosts exclaim, “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!” It is not love to Jesus that inspires this utterance. The force of truth urges the words from unwilling lips. As the wicked went into their graves, so they come forth, with the same enmity to Christ, and the same spirit of rebellion. They are to have no new probation, in which to remedy the defects of their past lives. Nothing would be gained by this. A lifetime of transgressions has not softened their hearts. A second probation, were it given them, would be occupied as was the first, in evading the requirements of God and exciting rebellion against Him.
Christ descends upon the Mount of Olives, whence, after His resurrection, He ascended, and where angels repeated the promise of His return. Says the prophet: “The Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.” “And 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, … and there shall be a very great valley.” Zechariah 14:5, 4…. As the New Jerusalem, in its dazzling splendor, comes down out of heaven, it rests upon the place purified and made ready to receive it, and Christ, with His people and the angels, enters the holy city.
The Faith I Live By p. 355
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for me. I am having so much gallbladder pain and swelling. Please pray that God will heal me and that I won’t have to go through another surgery. I have also been sick for almost 2 weeks with something else that just won’t go away. Connie
—-Asking for Prayer for my Son & Daughter-in-law… God knows why. Cheryl
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Dear Friends,
One time, when my mother was young, she wanted to go to Detroit to visit her aunt and uncle. Her friend, Mary Esther, was driving there to see someone and offered to let my mother ride with her. When Mary Esther arrived at her destination, my mother could take the city bus the rest of the way. She got out of the car, picked up her suitcase and her purse and waited at the corner bus stop. When the bus arrived, she found that she would have to transfer at a main connection somewhere downtown. When she got there, she saw many busses and began to feel a little confused. Carefully, she read the sign on each bus. At last she saw a bus that was going to Royal Oak (a suburb of Detroit). She climbed aboard and the bus left the terminal. At least she thought she was going to Royal Oak, but she had misread the sign. After riding on that bus for awhile, it stopped and the driver told her that it was the end of the line and she would have to get off. Embarrassed, she didn’t tell him where she was going. She just followed his orders. Looking around her, my mother soon realized that she was not only lost, she was in a very bad neighborhood. Fear crept over her. Then she saw a policeman who hailed a taxi and headed her in the right direction. How thankful she was to finally get to her aunt’s house. How relieved she was to be in a place of safety.
How often it is the same in our life. We can sincerely think that we are on the right “bus” but in reality be on the wrong one. The Bible tells us, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov 16:25 Our Dear Saviour bids us, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt 7:13,14
Solomon speaks of this path. “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Prov 4:10-27
How necessary it is that we choose the narrow path. Paul bids us, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Cor 13:5 There is only One Standard by which to know if we are on that right path. Our Great Redeemer has given us His Holy Word as our Guidebook. Everything in our life must be checked by it’s precepts. All that we hear, all that we see, all that we read must be measured by the Standard of All Righteousness. How important it is to daily read God’s Great Instruction Book. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb 4:12 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:21-25
Let us “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” that we may be assured that we are on the right “bus” of life. 2 Tim 2:15 Let us hide God’s Word in our hearts that we may follow the right path, the rugged and narrow path, that leads to His Glorious Heavenly Kingdom is my prayer. (Ps 119:9-11)
Rose

Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 1 Corinthians 6:3.
During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection, the judgment of the wicked takes place…. At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. John in the Revelation says: “I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.” “They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4, 6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, “the saints shall judge the world.” 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion which the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works; and it is recorded against their names in the book of death.
Satan also and evil angels are judged by Christ and His people. Says Paul, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” And Jude declares that “the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6.
At the close of the thousand years the second resurrection will take place. Then the wicked will be raised from the dead, and appear before God for the execution of “the judgment written.” Thus the revelator, after describing the resurrection of the righteous, says, “The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Revelation 20:5. And Isaiah declares, concerning the wicked, “They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.” Isaiah 24:22.
The penalty for breaking the law of God is proportionate to the price paid to redeem its transgressors. What unutterable bliss is prepared for those who will be saved through Christ, and what depths of woe for those who despise and reject His great salvation!
The Faith I Live By p. 354
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my daughter who is having womanly problems. Buck
—-Prayers please…a dear friend just had a heart attack. Sylvia
—-Please pray for a grieving family. A doctor went to pronounce a child dead from a school bus crash, and it was his own son, who never before went on the school bus, but wanted to socialize with his friends, for once. 19 others are injured. Please pray. Antonnette
—-Please pray for a family whose son was murdered. Rose
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Dear Friends,

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. Revelation 20:1, 2.
At the coming of Christ the wicked are blotted from the face of the whole earth—consumed with the spirit of His mouth, and destroyed by the brightness of His glory. Christ takes His people to the city of God, and the earth is emptied of its inhabitants….
The whole earth appears like a desolate wilderness. The ruins of cities and villages destroyed by the earthquake, uprooted trees, ragged rocks thrown out by the sea or torn out of the earth itself, are scattered over its surface, while vast caverns mark the spot where the mountains have been rent from their foundations.
Here is to be the home of Satan with his evil angels for a thousand years. Here he will be confined, to wander up and down over the broken surface of the earth and see the effects of his rebellion against God’s law. For a thousand years he can enjoy the fruit of the curse which he has caused. Limited alone to the earth, he will not have the privilege of ranging to other planets, to tempt and annoy those who have not fallen. During this time, Satan suffers extremely. Since his fall his evil traits have been in constant exercise. But he is then to be deprived of his power, and left to reflect upon the part which he has acted since his fall, and to look forward with trembling and terror to the dreadful future, when he must suffer for all the evil that he has done and be punished for all the sins that he has caused to be committed.
I heard shouts of triumph from the angels and from the redeemed saints, which sounded like ten thousand musical instruments, because they were to be no more annoyed and tempted by Satan and because the inhabitants of other worlds were delivered from his presence and his temptations.
The Faith I Live By p. 353
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for M who has expressed the desire to become a Christian in a country of persecution. R
—-Kindly pray for Aaron, he has been admitted in hospital in intensive care unit(ICU) since 17th May. He went trough a major surgery which lasted for 5 hours, he is still unconscious. he is on ventilation, most of his organs are infected and also undergoing dialysis. Please pray for his recovery. Roy
—-Please pray for my husband Stephen. He hurt his back and he is in extreme pain. Valerie
—-My Mother is in need of healing. She is 86 and is in afib. She has had her heart shocked 3 times and they do not want to do it again. So she is still in afib and we will try and control it with medication. Also she has dementia and she has been hallucinating which has been causing problems too. Please pray for Gods will in her life. I am asking for a miracle of complete healing. Carla
—-Please pray for my brother-in-law as he undergoes heart surgery on May 29th! Heidi
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Dear Friends,
When I first began going to church, a group of us would go to a nursing home in the afternoon to sing for the elderly residents there. The odor of stale urine hung thickly in the air, the residents were dirty and unkempt. It was an awful place.
Years later, Ron and I worked in an extended care facility that was somewhat better, yet our heart went out to the patients there. They really wanted to go home, yet it seemed their family had largely abandoned them. The CNA’s often made fun of the patients or sadly neglected them. We felt very sorry for their plight.
Over the years, I have had little patience with anyone who put their loved one in a nursing home (even a good nursing home). I felt that they were selfish and inconsiderate of their dear one’s desires and needs. I declared loud and long that I would never do such a thing. Caring for family at home was the right thing to do and I would do what was right. I would never allow my loved one to be placed in the care of others.
How careful we need to be in our judgement of others. Many times He Who said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again,” places us in a situation where we must do that very thing for which we had criticized others. Matt 7:1,2 After trying to care for my ailing mother at home for over a year while still working full time, she had come to the point where she could not stay by herself while I worked because she had stopped walking or being cooperative in even the smallest matters. We could not afford to bring in a full-time caregiver. Finally, I had to make the agonizing decision to place her in a nursing facility.
Although Ron and I looked for the best place we could find, it still went against every thing we believed in. It was overwhelming and stressful beyond anything I had imagined. I shed many tears. I said many prayers for God’s leading.
Each evening, as I visited my mother, I had the opportunity to see family members of some of the residents there and their interaction with them. Faithfully, each evening they too would help their dear one in various ways. Tenderly, they too did what they could to make them comfortable.
Suddenly, I realized that there were some others who have had to put their loved ones in such a place and had not wanted to do it any more than I had. They also had agonized over their decision. They also had been in a situation where caring for their family member at home became too difficult or as impossible as it had been for us. It must had been a heart-wrenching decision for them as well.
This experience taught me much about how I view the things others do and say. It showed me many things about myself that I had not realized was even there. It taught me to be much kinder in my estimation of those around me and how they react to their unique situation.
May we never wrap our “self-righteous robes” about ourselves looking “down our noses” at others for the decisions they make. May we be kind and loving to those around us, helping them bear their burdens as Paul says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil 2:3, 4 May we be as our Dear Saviour Who “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil” is my prayer. Acts 10:38
Rose

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12.
I saw a very great number of angels bring from the city glorious crowns—a crown for every saint, with his name written thereon. As Jesus called for the crowns, angels presented them to Him, and with His own right hand the lovely Jesus placed the crowns on the heads of the saints. In the same manner the angels brought the harps, and Jesus presented them also to the saints. The commanding angels first struck the note, and then every voice was raised in grateful, happy praise, and every hand skillfully swept over the strings of the harp, sending forth melodious music in rich and perfect strains….
Within the city there was everything to feast the eye. Rich glory they beheld everywhere. Then Jesus looked upon His redeemed saints; their countenances were radiant with glory; and as He fixed His loving eyes upon them, He said, with His rich, musical voice, “I behold the travail of My soul, and am satisfied. This rich glory is yours to enjoy eternally. Your sorrows are ended. There shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” …
I then saw Jesus leading His people to the tree of life…. Upon the tree of life was most beautiful fruit, of which the saints could partake freely, in the city was a most glorious throne, from which proceeded a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal. On each side of this river was the tree of life, and on the banks of the river were other beautiful trees bearing fruit….
Language is altogether too feeble to attempt a description of heaven. As the scene rises before me, I am lost in amazement. Carried away with the surpassing splendor and excellent glory, I lay down the pen, and exclaim, “Oh, what love! what wondrous love!” The most exalted language fails to describe the glory of heaven or the matchless depths of a Saviour’s love.

Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11.
The angels who lingered upon Olivet after Christ’s ascension, repeated to the disciples the promise of His return: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Precious, indeed, was this promise to those sorrowing disciples, that they should again see Jesus, who was greatly beloved by them all. Precious also is this promise to every true follower of Christ. None who truly love Jesus will be sorry that He is coming again….
Jesus is coming! But not to listen to the woes of mankind, and to hear the guilty sinner confess his sins, and to speak pardon to him; for every one’s case will then be decided for life or death. Those who have lived in sin will remain sinners forever. Those who have confessed their sins to Jesus in the sanctuary, have made Him their friend and have loved His appearing, will have pardon written for all their sins….
Jesus is coming as He ascended into heaven, only with additional splendor. He is coming with the glory of His Father, and all the holy angels with Him, to escort Him on His way. Instead of the cruel crown of thorns to pierce His holy temples, a crown of dazzling glory will deck His sacred brow…. He will not wear a plain seamless coat, but a garment whiter than snow—of dazzling brightness. Jesus is coming! But not to reign as a temporal prince. He will raise the righteous dead, change the living saints to a glorious immortality, and, with the saints, take the kingdom under the whole heaven….
Dear young reader, seek a thorough preparation to meet Jesus, that when He appears you may exclaim with joy, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us.” Isaiah 25:9. Eternal life will then be yours, and you will be a partaker with Christ of His glory, ever to hear His glorious approving voice and behold His lovely person.
The Faith I Live By p. 351
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Scott who has bowel cancer. He needs to fully surrender to God and if God wills to be healed. Nancy
—-Please pray that Ron will have wisdom from the only One Who knows the future. Rose
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Dear Friends,
When Eileen was two years old, we lived in Pennsylvania where Ron had a job selling books door to door. We were having a very difficult time financially. Every day he would go out and work from morning till late at night. Every day he did not make enough money for our needs.
But God did not forsake us. During this difficult time He put it in the hearts of two church members to help us. One of these men was a goat farmer. He supplied us daily with goat’s milk. I did not like the taste, but I learned to drink it. It was very good for Eileen, who needed good nutrition. This man also sold Mason shoes and gave Ron a pair of these expensive shoes. Ron was very thankful for them. They were very comfortable and he wore them for many years.
The other member brought us coal for heat. Before that I had been going daily out into the woods to gather firewood for heating and cooking. It did not keep the house warm and Eileen and I would have to get very close to the heating stove to get a little heat. The coal burned hotter and kept the house comfortable. I was very thankful for his kindness.
Everyone has difficulties in this life. It is how we react to those difficulties that is important. Do we fight against the trial and blame our troubles on the only One Who can help us? Do we trust our Loving Heavenly Father through both the hard times and the good? Our very future depends on how we react to what we are going through.
When Joseph was sold by his own brothers, he had not only the fear of the future to deal with, but he also had the heartbreak of knowing that he was in this situation because those he loved hated him. What a difficult trial that knowledge was. Yet, through all this, he determined to be true to God. “God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.” Acts 7:9-17
God was leading in even who bought Joseph. If it had not been Potiphar, he might have been sold as a common laborer and perished quickly. The rule of Joseph’s life was brought out in the words he spoke when urged to do evil, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Gen 39:9 Although he suffered for his steadfastness, God did not allow the suffering to last. He lead in other lives to bring about his purpose for His faithful servant. Joseph got a great reward for his faithfulness. He became second ruler in the kingdom of Egypt. Even dearer to him was the eventual reuniting with his family for, even though those he loved had hated him, he had love and forgiveness toward them. What an example he is to us.
May we determine, as did Joseph, to love God and keep His commandments no matter what trials we are going through. May we put away our feelings of bitterness toward those who do us harm. May we follow our Loving Shepherd all the way to the Heavenly Kingdom is my prayer.
Rose