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 of 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 beloved, the sweeter the sense of his
favor. Heavenly joy consists in loving with all the heart, and in being beloved.
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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1 Corinthians 2:9 ... But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Hebrews 11:16 ... But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
1 Peter 1:4 ... To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Revelation 21:4 ... And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:23 ... And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.❤
