[Songs in the Night - March 5]
I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. John 15:5
IT IS not sufficient that we hear the message of
the kingdom; it is not sufficient that we have good
hearts or good intentions in respect to it; it is additionally
necessary, as the Master says, that we should
understand the kingdom message; hence the need of
Bible study.
Intelligent people consider it very wise
and proper that several years of study be devoted to
preparation for the few years of earthly life.
How
much study, then, should be considered proper for our
preparation for the eternal life and kingdom blessings?
The time and effort thus consumed in character development
for the kingdom are wisely spent, and the
harvest of thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold in this parable
illustrates the degree and intensity of our earnestness.
The rewards in the kingdom will also be proportionate.
"One star differeth from another star in glory.
So
also is the resurrection of the dead."
Varying degrees
of glory in the kingdom will be manifested, yet none
will be acceptable to the Father who shall not have
brought forth fruitage in good measure; the "well
done" will never be pronounced if not merited. Z'10-203 R4635:5 (Hymn 49)