Let's set aside the prophetic meaning of these words for a moment and hear them as our great Forerunner's invitation to his sanctified people. In God's perfect time, every believer will hear that great voice from heaven calling, "Come up here!"

This should fill us with joyful anticipation! Instead of dreading the moment we leave this world for the Father's house, we should be panting for the hour of our emancipation. Our hearts should sing: "My heart is with him on his throne, and I can hardly bear to wait! Every moment I'm listening for the voice: 'Rise up and come away!'"

Notice this—we are not called down to the grave, but up to the skies! Our heaven-born spirits should long for their native air.

And yet... yet the celestial summons must be the object of patient waiting. Our God knows best when to bid us "Come up here." We must not wish to antedate our departure. I know that strong love for Christ makes us cry out, "O Lord of Hosts, divide the waves 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 didn't live longer on earth to do more good. Oh, for more sheaves for my Lord's garner! More jewels for his crown! But how can there be more harvest unless there be more work?

True, there's another side to consider—living so briefly, our sins are the fewer. But oh! When we are fully serving God, when he is giving us to scatter precious seed and reap a hundredfold... at those moments we would even say it is well for us to abide where we are.

So whether our Master says "go" or "stay," let us be equally well pleased so long as he indulges us with his presence.