The Voice from Heaven

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Revelation 11:12

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them, Come up here. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud…

I. We shall regard it, first, As A SUMMONS SENT AT THE APPOINTED HOUR TO EVERY SAINT. When the time shall come, fixed by irreversible decree, there shall be heard "a great voice from heaven" to every believer in Christ, saying, "Come up hither."

1. This should be to us — each one of us, if we be in Christ — the subject of very joyful anticipation. To some Christians it will be not only joyful in anticipation, but it will be intensely delightful when it arrives.

2. To change the note a moment; while this should be the subject of joyous anticipation, it should also be the object of patient waiting. God knows best when it is time for us to be bidden to "Come up hither." We must not wish to antedate the period of our departure. I would not wish to die while there is more work to do or more souls to win.

3. As this "Come up hither" should excite joyous anticipation, tempered by patient waiting, so it should always be to us a matter of absolute certainty as to its ultimate reception. I can understand a man being in doubt about his interest in Christ, but I cannot understand a man's resting content to be in these doubts.

4. I think very often, besides joyfully anticipating, patiently waiting, and being confidently assured of it, the Christian should delightfully contemplate it.

II. We will take the text this time, not as a summons to depart, but as WHISPER FROM THE SKIES TO THE BELIEVER'S HEART, The Father seems to say this to every adopted child. Nor will your Father and my Father ever be content till every one of His children shall be in the many mansions above. And Jesus whispers this in your ear. "I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I elm, that they may behold My glory." Jesus beckons thee to the skies, believer. Lay not fast hold upon the things of earth.

III. These words may be used as A LOVING INVITATION TO UNCONVERTED PERSONS. There are many spirit voices which cry to them, "Come up hither; come up to heaven."

1. God our Father calls thee. Sinner, thou hast many troubles of late; business goes amiss. Dost thou not know, sinner, this is thy Father saying, "Come up hither"? Thy portion is not here; seek thou another and a better land.

2. But more, the Lord Jesus Christ has also beckoned to you to come. Thou hast heard that He made a way to heaven. Is not a road an invitation to a traveller to walk therein?

3. The Spirit of God strives with thee and cries, "Come up hither." The Spirit of God wrote this book; and wherefore was this book written? Hear the words of Scripture, "These are written that ye might believe," etc.

4. Moreover, does not thy conscience say the same?

5. And, last of all, the spirit of your friends departed cry from heaven to you to-night — that voice which I would you could hear, "Come up hither." I adjure you, ye sons of saints in glory; I adjure you, daughter of immortal mothers; despise not now the voice of those who speak from heaven to you.

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