NEGenWeb Project
Resource Center
Church

     Whatever skeptics may say of a hereafter, however stubbornly they may deny it, the very mention of heaven awakens our aspirations and quickens our emotions. Moody once met an old friend, and as he took him by the hand and began to inquire about his family, the tears came trickling down his cheeks as he said: "I haven't any now." "What," said Moody, "is your wife dead?" "Yes, sir," said the man with trembling lips. "And all your children too?" "Yes, all gone," he added almost convulsed with grief; "and I am left here desolate and alone. But--but--I am going to see them over there.'" Ah! that hope! "I am going to see them

over there," how cheering! The only balm for that wounded and broken heart.

     A bright--eyed little girl, who had heard her teacher talk about heaven, on her return home with a look mingled with joy and deep concern, asked, "Papa, where is heaven ?" "Up there," was the prompt response. Where heaven is God has not definitely told us. But the Bible teaches that it is above us. Though God is everywhere present, His special dwelling place, we are told, is in heaven. For (Ps. ciii. 19) "The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens." And the Bible speaks of heaven as above us. In the song of Moses, (Dent. xxxiii. 40) we read, "For I lift up my hand unto heaven, and say, I live forever." After God had made His everlasting covenant with Abra-

ham, and left off talking with him, we read (Gen. xvii. 22.) "And God went up from Abraham." And Jacob went out from Beersheba toward Haran, and as night came on, made him a pillow of stone "and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven, and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold the Lord stood above it," &c., Gen. xxviii. 12, 13. And Job. (iii 4), lamenting the day of his birth, exclaimed, "Let not God regard it from above." Jesus speaking of himself (John iii. 31), whence he came, &c., declared "He that cometh from above is above all.  *  *  *  He that cometh from heaven is above all." And of his departure out of this world we read, (Acts i. 10.): "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold two men stood by him in white apparel, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner, as ye have seen him go into heaven."

     Yes, heaven is "up there "--it is above us. But just where, God will do with us as he did with Abraham in regard to the promised land,--He will show it to us when we get there. And in order to

get there, it is of paramount importance that we have Abraham's faith and obedience, to follow promptly and cheerfully wherever God may lead us.

     A great many persons imagine that anything said about heaven is only a matter of speculation. They talk about heaven like the air. With their peculiar ideas of a spiritual being, and of the abode of spirits, men have almost lost sight of the fact that heaven is a place. But Paul (Heb. xi. 16), speaking of the Christian's longing for heaven, says, "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." Here the Apostle carries our minds away from this worldly, sinful, sorrowful country, to a better one; from the cities of time, built at the hands of men, "to a city which bath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Heb. xi. 10. Language like this bespeaks locality. John, when an exile on the isle of Patmos, was carried away of the Spirit into a great and high mountain, where God gave him a view of that great city. For his description of it see Rev. xxi. 10-27. It is the most specific as well as the most graphic descrip-

tion of heaven which God has anywhere given us. And every candid reader will at once conceive that it is in every particular as much the description of a real place as that of Jerusalem, or Babylon, or Nineveh, or any other of the great cities of the Bible. Moreover, it is also spoken of as God's "dwelling place" (1 Kings viii. 30); as "a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Jesus said (John xiv. 2), "In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." Surely this means something. It clearly and evidently indicates locality. For He immediately adds, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also." Thank God for such a promise!

     But a matter of far more vital importance for consideration is

     Who will they be? John Newton once said: When I get to heaven, I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be to see many people there whom I did not expect to see; the second wonder will be to miss many people whom I did expect to see; and the third, and perhaps the

greatest wonder of all, will be to find myself there."

We are scarcely saved!

     But the Bible clearly defines who shall and who shall not enter heaven. The point of difference in the ideas of men and divine revelation is in the standard of measurement, and of judgment. We are told (1 Sam. xvi. 17), "For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." But of two things we may feel positively certain: First, that the society of heaven will be a select one. None but those clad in the wedding garment will be there. All will be clad alike there. There are a great many kinds of aristocracy in this world, but the aristocracy of heaven will be one of universal love and holiness. The humblest sinner on earth, cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, will be an aristocrat in heaven. And, second,

that God will make no mistake in the selection or admission of the occupants to heaven. All who are found worthy will be admitted there. Who then will be found worthy? This is the all-important question. And to this we answer:

     1. That all who die in their infancy will be admitted there. In answer to the disciples' inquiry, "Who shall be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Here our Lord makes a little child the standard of worthiness for admission into heaven. According to Mark x. 1, it is written, ''Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Yes "of such is the kingdom of God!" Dear reader, have you been bereft of some dear little one? Be consoled and comforted with the fact that they have only joined the company of angels where, if faithful unto the end, you will be permitted to join them by and by.

     2. All who have become new creatures in Christ

Jesus and remain steadfast in their faith even unto death, will be admitted there. In the language of our Lord (John i. 12, 13), "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Again, (John iii. 3, 5, 7), "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God." And because Nicodemus could not understand this, by way of explanation, "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God." Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." And to assure the people of Galatia that neither the covenant relation of their fathers, nor anything in the ceremonial law, would avail anything, Paul declared (Gal; vi. 15), "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." Neither Christian parentage, nor a nominal profession of faith, nor any other good thing short of a new creature in Christ Jesus, will secure an entrance into the mansions above. And hence, when

John was permitted to take that wonderful view of heaven, one of the elders inquired of him, "Who are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?" John answered him, "Sir, thou knowest." And the elder said, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Rev. vii. 1, 14.

     From these passages of Scripture, and the many more which might be given, it will become quite clear to our readers who will be the occupants of heaven. And with this test you will not wonder at our Lord's language (Matt. xxii. 14), "For many are called, but few are chosen." The important question is, "How is it with me? How is it with you?

     A matter of no little importance also to the occupants of heaven will be

     Of God it is said (Ps. cii. 27), "But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." And of His Son it is written (Heb. xiii. 8) that He is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." And this same Jesus has promised (John xiv. 3), "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come

again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also." With Christ forever! Ah, yes, He is "the same yesterday, to-day and forever." "Thy. years shall have no end." But ordinarily the mind, or even the keenest imagination, does not comprehend the thought in the words "forever," "no end," etc. Suppose we try to aid our conceptions of these terms in the use of some figures. Suppose, for a moment, that the Bible used the words a trillion of years, to represent the life to come instead of eternity or forever. A trillion according to American notation is a million multiplied by a million, the number expressed by a unit with twelve ciphers annexed. Suppose now that that was to be the measure instead of "years that have no end." How long do you think it would take to count a trillion'? Suppose you would count as fast as your pulse beats, day and night, without any rest to eat or sleep. Your pulse beats seventy times a minute, there are sixty minutes in an hour; at that rate you would count 4,200 per hour, in twenty--four hours, or one day, you would count 100,800, in 365 days, or one year, you would have counted 36,792,000. Take this result and multiply it by 30,000, and you get your first trillion of years, or this number, 1,103,760,000,000.

If then it takes thirty thousand years to even count one trillion, what must it be to live through a trillion of years! If Adam had commenced 6,000 years ago to count and continued till now, he would have been but one--fifth through--he would need to live five tunes as long to finish his count. Now if the duration of heaven ran on through the ages represented by this trillion of years, what a boon that would be for the redeemed in glory. But the glorious reality will be, "thy years shall have no end." When a trillion of years will have rolled away, "eternity" in heaven will scarce have begun.

     Happiness is universally desired and sought by man. There is no one object so universally sought as this.. But alas! how many mistake the proper source of all true happiness. The only source of true happiness in this life is in a life with Christ, and the only perfect happiness will be in heaven. David (Ps. xvii. 1) said, "I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness." God designed that we should be a happy people, and ever since the fall He has provided for our happiness in this life, and for our perfect happiness in that which is to come. Our perfect happiness there will consist:
     20

     1. In the absence of all the consequences of sin, "Flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. xv. 50.) "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." There will be no "sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." Oh, no! "For the former things are passed away." Rev xxi. 4. Ah! where is the home in all the earth that has escaped all these? Happy is that home, where, in their youthful vigor, love and aspiration have held supreme sway--where there is no sorrow, nor crying, nor any pain. Blissful home! But in heaven there will not be even a sight or thought of these. For "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Blessed comfort! "And there shall be no more death there." Ah no! "Death is swallowed up in victory."

     A Christian lady, on her death bed, in reply to a remark of her brother, who was taking leave of her to return to his distant residence, that he should probably never again meet her in the land of the living, answered, "Brother, I trust we shall meet in the land of the living. We are now in the land of the dying." Happy is that place from which every thought of death has been banished. But the blissful thought is in the fact that in the

resurrection God will wipe away the last vestige of every remnant of sin. "And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie." Rev. xxi. 27.

     2. Our spiritual purity will contribute much to our happiness in heaven. Here in this life of sin, we think ourselves happy when, for a time, we are in the company of saints, where all is peace and harmony; where not a harsh word is heard, but all are words of love and cheer; where the spiritual atmosphere is exhilarating and inspiring; and where the joys of salvation are beaming from every countenance. But these gatherings are infrequent and of short duration. When the three disciples were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration his glorified appearance produced such an ecstacy (sic) of feeling that Peter proposed to erect there three memorials of that glorious event. But of the just made perfect it is written (1 John iii. 2), "Beloved,  *  *  *  it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he (Christ) shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is." Ah! "be like him--like our ascended Lord? Enjoy all the perfections of his moral purity? And be partakers of his divine

nature? Ah yes, our souls bright with God's brightness, pure with God's purity, and warm with the glow of his perfect love, and clothed with his glory, we "shall be like him and see him as he is." Supremely happy will be that state! And hence we will have

     3. A perfect ability to enjoy heaven.--" We shall be like Him." "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Cor. xiii. 12.

     But our capacities to enjoy will differ: Like sundry vessels, whereof some are larger and some are smaller, if cast into the sea, some will receive more, some less, and yet all will be full, and there will be no want in any; so among the saints of God in heaven--some have more of glory, and some less, and yet all, without exception, will be full of the glory of God. God's spiritual temple contains vessels of various dimensions; but all are filled with the same spirit from the communicable fullness of Christ; as the prophet describes it "vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups even to all vessels of flagons." Isa. xxii. 24. "But be filled with all the fullness of God" will be all that the saints, both small and great, can desire.

We shall all be full, that will be enough. But, whether great or small, every one's capacity to enjoy will be perfected. We shall see and know perfectly: the sense of sight, to see the fullness of glory; the sense of hearing, to hear perfectly the enchanting melodies of the heavenly choir; and the emotions, to drink from the rivers of pleasure."

     4. Our associations in heaven will aid in perfecting our happiness. In this life we gather in the choicest assemblies and we count ourselves happy. Some are rich, and some are poor; some are clad in silk, and glitter with ornaments of gold and diamonds, and some are in the more ordinary attire; some are intelligent, while others are illiterate; some are appreciative and inspiring in their manners and address, while others are inappreciative and repelling in their very appearance; some are kind and gentle, others are unkind and gruff. But in heaven it will not be so. We will all wear the lame robes of pure white; we will all wear the same crowns, decked with the same jewels; we will all be moved by the same spirit of love; we will all be full of the glory of God; our associates will be the choice from all the lands of earth. On the isle of Patmos John "beheld, and lo, a great mul-

itude which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Rev. vii. 10. O, what a gathering that will be! With God and the Lamb upon the throne, the innumerable multitude of the redeemed, led by angels, archangels, seraphim and cherubim in their "new song"--there will be joy indeed.

     5. There will be joy in the recognition of friends and loved ones.

     Yes, indeed; it did not require an introduction of the disciples to Abraham, and Moses, and Elias, on the mount of transfiguration. Oh no! The joy of that meeting was as indescribable as that in the meeting of old and tried friends. Lazarus did not

need an introduction to Abraham, into whose bosom he was carried. Heavenly recognition, we are glad to say, is put upon a different basis from that in this life. Here our want of confidence in each other obscures our knowledge, and remembrance, and appreciation of each other. But there our faith in God and our transfiguration to His glorious image will have perfected both our confidence in and our knowledge of each other, and "we shall know even as also we are known."

     Heaven is presented to us under different figures. Among them is that of "a great supper," "the marriage feast," etc. Much of the enjoyment therefore must come from our knowledge of each other as guests. Imagine yourself at a feast where, though you may have known many who surround the table, you are, by some obliviousness of mind, ignorant of them all. The incertitude in which you are placed robs you of much of your joy--for you are alone. But suppose that the mist rolls away, and that you recognize in the countenances before you the old familiar faces of loved friends. At once you become conscious of a felicity of which you otherwise would have been deprived. So it will be in heaven. Sitting down with Abraham,. Isaac and Jacob, with Moses and Elias, in

the kingdom of heaven, we will intuitively recognize as our companions those who were the excellent of the earth--"our friends tried and true"--and be reunited with those who divided our cares and doubled our joys in this world of mingled sorrows and delights. In view of the fact that we are social beings in our very constitution, God has, in his goodness, made provision for the perfection of this, as well as the other faculties and powers of our being, in heaven; and we shall know and enjoy each other there. Families will gather there, with loved ones separated by the roll of many long years, to renew their friendship in the perfect love of God--unite in perfect love forever

     But the climax of our joys will be reached

     6. In the infinite riches and splendor of heaven. The enjoyment of both riches and splendor depends upon certain preparations for that special purpose. In this world the cup of pleasure and satisfaction may be brimming and yet never full, because it is never without a leakage. Wealth may have accumulated around us as about Solomon, and yet with the spontaneous cry of Solomon's words, "all is vanity." But in the resurrection this imperfection--this consequent of death--will be wholly swallowed up in victory. The disciples on the mount of transfiguration were in the presence of a glory which they could not then behold, but fell on their faces. Paul, on his way to Damascus, was confronted with the glory of God and stricken blind with it. When afterwards he was caught up into the, third heaven, he "heard unspeakable words, which it was not possible for man to utter." John on Patmos saw what was too sublime to reveal to man. Why all this? Because, "having our understanding darkened," "we now look through a glass darkly." But in the morning of the resurrection, as we awake in Christ's likeness, our eyes with every power of soul will open to the riches and full glory of God.

     We talk of riche when we have a title to some land, with palaces and barns, herds of cattle, bins full of grain, and gold in our coffers. We eat and drink, and view and enjoy them in a measure for a few short years, and then die. But see, there is a home whose realms are boundless in circumference and eternal in its roll of years. It is decked all over with mansions of divine architecture, finish and furniture--with conveniences contrived by the divine mind--in the midst of the holy city, with its majestic walls of jasper, whose foundations are garnished with all manner of precious stones, with twelve gates of pearl and the streets of pure gold, and in the midst of it the temple and throne of God. From beneath it flows a river with waters clear as crystal, and by its side is the tree of life. "And there was no night there." Oh no, there is no need of night for sleep there. Blissful, eternal day! "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." Nay, and all its inhabitants do "shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, "--all do shine with the effulgent glory of God. Ah, these, with the fullness of Christ and His glory in us, will be riches and splendor and happiness

enough for me! With real wonder, and joy unspeakable, we can then truly sing:

     Thank God for the hope of heaven, with all its untold riches and glory!

© 2003 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller.