Heaven # 4

Heaven # 4

The contemplation of the Divine glory will be associated with a beautiful feeling of dependence on the Divine character. Heaven will be a dependent state as well as earth. And the saints exalted there will cherish no proud and haughty feelings, but, as they stand around the throne, and contemplate the blessedness of God, will be sensible that their existence and their happiness depend on the power and love of their gracious Lord. Everything they posses will be recognized as proceeding from Him. Their only safety even there, will be felt to consist in the immutability of His character, and the truth of His promises.

Faith, in its sublimest exercise, as a spirit of trust and confidence in the Divine Being - will be no stranger to the mind of glorified spirits, whether men or angels. Springing out of the contemplation of Divine power, and purity, and love, and from a sense of dependence, will be the warmth of grateful affection.

God will be loved, supremely loved. The obligations to reverence, and adore, and praise Him, will be felt in their infinite extent and force. The stream of affection that flows from the Divine mind to theirs, will be returned, though comparatively but in a faint current, still will be returned as the grateful son renders the tribute of love to the father, whose heart gushes forth in streams of unutterable tenderness.

Love is the spring of active service. It does not slumber as a dormant principle in the Heaven, any more than on earth.Love ever prompts to exertion. Palpable proofs of love's sincerity will forever be manifested.

We can form no conception of Heaven more unworthy, the subject, than to suppose all this will end, and Heaven be a world of inaction. Heaven is a state of repose - yet a state of activity. The saints rest from the toils and labors of earth, they escape the storms that trouble this lower atmosphere, and disturb the ocean of human life; but they are to occupy spheres of nobler usefulness, and discharge with zeal acts of more dignified service!

What can be so delightful as to have an intimate acquaintance with the Deity, to know all that created minds can know of His nature and attributes, to bask in the sunshine of His favor, to see His uncreated glory shining forth in the mild luster of parental love, and embodying all the wonders of redemption. To see Jesus, not as the man of sorrows, but as the Son of God, combining a nature that is divine with that which is human, and thus bringing man into near relationship to the Deity; and raising him even above angels, whose nature the Eternal would never condescend to assume.

To cherish a sense of dependence upon God, allied with a feeling of perfect satisfaction, leaving no desires unfulfilled, no needs unsupplied. To have a principle of holy love burning on the altar of the heart, whose fire will be fed by perpetual communications, and fanned by the breath of the Holy Spirit - never declining, never growing dim, but always shining with luster, and glowing with warmth, never diverted from its object by conflicting affections, but always ascending upwards to God as supreme.

To be continually engaged in the service of our Heavenly Father, to join with angels in meditating on His glory, singing His praise and discharging His commands, to serve Him day and night in His temple, without weariness and without end!

Thus to behold Him, thus to rely on Him, thus to love Him, thus to serve Him - this is the summit of bliss, and the crown of glory; and this is the hope laid up for us in Heaven!

~John Stroughton~