Heaven (and others)

Heaven (and others)

Heaven is a reality, not seen by eyes of flesh, but made known by revelation, and received by faith.

Heaven is a rest from toil, trouble, temptation, and sin. Such a rest is very desirable, if it were only a sweet sleep; but heaven is more.

It is a state of delightful activity. Every faculty and every affection will find appropriate exercise; and probably latent powers, not needed here, will there be waked into activity - powers suited to the new condition in which the soul exists.

Heaven is full of light; all darkness and doubt are absent. Knowledge will there be clear, and will possess a transforming efficacy; still, knowledge in heaven will be progressive; the pleasure will partly consist in ever learning something unknown before.

Heaven is a region of perfect love; all the heart and mind and strength will be exerted in love. And if the power of loving should, in the progress of the immortal soul, be increased a thousand-fold, all this increased ability will be kept constantly in full stretch by the loveliness and glory of the objects affection.

Christ is the center of attraction in heaven. From Him radiate the rays of divine glory which enliven, attract, and beautify all the innumerable army of worshipers.

Love in heaven is pure, perfect, and reciprocal. He who loves, cannot be satisfied without a return of affection. And the more exalted and excellent the character of the person loved, the sweeter the sense of his favor.

Heavenly joy consists in loving with all the heart, and in being loved.

As heaven is a society, the members are happy not only in loving their King, but in mutual love. There will exist no envy, nor jealousy, nor apathy. Every soul will be transparent to every other, and all will see that nothing but pure love exists in every heart.

Heaven is a place of peace - sweet peace and uninterrupted harmony; all disturbing elements will be left behind. In the symbolical heavens of the Revelation, we read of wars; but in the heaven where saints and angels dwell and worship, war can have no place. The atmosphere of heaven is exempt from all evil; it is purity itself; all sin and impurity are denied admission into that holy place.

Heaven is a place of song: high affections are expressed in celestial music. O how elevating, how delightful the melodies!

Heaven is an unchanging state. All change is advancement in knowledge, in dignity, in happiness!

~Archibald Alexander~
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The Design of the Divine Artist

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

In this present world, you may never see how the death of your husband is for good. Many go all their lives without having the mystifying characters of the sad event deciphered - and the secret workings of God love laid open. They die in ignorance of His plans - though not of His purposes.

The finished side of the embroidery may never be turned to your here; and looking only at the tangled threads and dark colors of the back part - all now appears to be in confusion!

But when the front view shall be seen; and the design of the divine artist; and all the connections of the finely embroidered piece shall be pointed out; and the coloring shall be shown in the light of eternity - with what adoring wonder, delight, and gratitude will you exclaim, as the whole picture bursts upon your sight, "O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His methods! How unfathomable are His ways! All things have worked together for my good!"

You shall trace together the providential events of your earthly history. You shall learn why you were united - and why separated. You shall see the wisdom and goodness of those events, which once appears so dark, and drew so many tears from your eyes. You shall indulge in reminiscences, all of which will furnish wonder, praise and new sources of delight.

Such a scene is before you! And since it is, then bear your sorrows - for in what felicities are they to result - and how soon!

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

~John Angell James~