To Die Is To Gain
Gem #22 – To Die is to Gain
Here we see through a glass that is dark and cloudy, but there we shall see face to face. There, what “eye has not seen nor ear heard” shall be fully revealed to us. There, paradoxes will be unraveled, mysteries made plain, obscure texts enlightened, confusing and questionable verses will be revealed as being amazingly simple and true. The least of all souls in heaven knows more of God than the greatest saint on the earth. The greatest saint on the earth may have it said of him, “Nevertheless he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Not our greatest preachers understand as much of theology as the lambs of the flock of glory. Not even the greatest masterminds of the earth understand onemillionth part of the mighty meanings which have been discovered by souls liberated from these bodies made from clay.
Yes, “To die is gain.” Take away, take away that hearse, remove the covering of black, adorn it in white with bright shiny decorations. There, take away the music of the death march, rather lend me the trumpet and the drum. O hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah; why do we cry as the saints go to heaven? They are not dead, they have simply gone to heaven before us. Stop, stop that crying, hold back your tears, clap your hands, clap your hands. “They are supremely blessed, Are done with care and sin and woe, And with their Saviour they rest.”
What! weep! weep! for heads that are crowned with crowns of heaven? Weep, weep for hands that hold the harps of gold? What, weep for eyes that see the Redeemer? What, weep for hearts that are washed from sin, and are throbbing with eternal bliss? What, weep for men that are in the Savior’s arms? No; weep for yourselves, that you are here. Weep that the mandate has not come which commands you to die. Weep that you must remain. But not for them.
I see them turning back on you with loving wonder, and they exclaim, “Why do you weep? What, weep for poverty that is clothed in riches? What, weep for sickness, that has inherited eternal health? What, weep for shame, that is glorified; and weep for sinful mortality, that has become immaculate? Oh, do not weep, but rejoice. If you knew what it was that I have said to you, and where I have gone, you would rejoice with a joy that no man should take from you.”