hitherto in this vale of tears, amidst so many dangers of soul and body, sighed like prisoners for their eternal home and place of rest! How, I ask, will it be with them? Hear what Christ says to them, after having spoken of the terrible forerunners of the last day: “But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads: because your redemption is at hand.”[1] To go with downcast head is a sign of sorrow and fear, and My dear children, that is not for you, but for the wicked who refused to love and honor Me. Let them wither away for fear, because they have no part in My eternal kingdom; but you, just souls! who have kept My law and in all things tried to do My will, “look up, and lift up your heads;”; rejoice and be glad; why? “Because your redemption is at hand!” This is the time for which you have been sighing so long; the time for your release from captivity, from all dangers and troubles; the time for you to enter into the eternal repose of the children of God. This is the day on which your enemies and Mine, who have persecuted and oppressed you in so many ways—this is the day for them to lie trembling and shaking under your feet. This is the time when I shall make known to the world your humility and other virtues which men knew nothing of, and vain worldlings despised you for! Rejoice, My children! your redemption is at hand; the kingdom of heaven will soon be opened to you. Come, ye blessed! possess the kingdom that My Father and you yourselves have prepared for you! Come with Me into everlasting joys!
As Christ tells them.
“See the fig-tree, and all the trees,” continues Our Lord; “when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh,” and the cold winter past. “So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.”[2] His meaning is, in winter-time the trees are bare, without leaves or fruit, and covered with snow as with a mourning garment; but when the pleasant springtime comes, what a change takes place in them! They are adorned with the fresh buds, with green leaves and fruit, and the birds sing joyous melodies in their branches. So it is also with you, My faithful servants. Hitherto you have had the cold winter-time; you were hated and despised by the world, which you disregarded for My sake; you have
- ↑ His autem fieri incipientibus, respicite, et levate capita vestra, quoniam appropinquat redemptio vestra.—Luke xxi. 28.
- ↑ Videte ficulneam, et omnes arbores. Cum producunt jam ex se fructum, scitis quoniam prope est æstas. Ita et vos cum videritis hæc fieri, scitote quoniam prope est regnum Dei.—Ibid. 29, 30, 31.
