Often have we sung these familiar lines of a well-known hymn, reflecting, it may be, how much more happily they raise the question than adequately answer it. Nor do we by any means assume to do this in the following pages; nevertheless, as Isaac appears to have prayerfully meditated at eventide in the fields of Canaan, anticipating the home coming of the bride, so may we fittingly indulge in spiritual anticipations of the blessedness of those things which God has prepared for them that love Him, and which He has revealed unto us by His Spirit. Let us, then, very simply pass in review some at least of "the things which God hath prepared " for us, not necessarily observing any consecutive order, but freely noting what comes to mind.
First, let us observe what will be preliminary to our dwelling above. We shall hear the Lord's shout; a loud assembling summons, as of a leader calling together his company. " The voice of the archangel and the trump of God " shall peal aloud; and what a moment that will be, beloved of God, when these ears of ours, which have hitherto received only sounds natural and artificial, shall actually hear the shout, the voice, the trump which shall break forth together from an open heaven, resounding in the divinely opened ears of every saint of God, whether living or dead!
All "in Christ," awake or asleep—i.e., whether on earth and at sea or under the earth and in the sea—in the self same moment thrilled in every fiber, and receiving the mighty impulse of a divine afflatus as rapturous as profound. What an experience, fellow saint, when these dull ears of ours shall be fitted and furbished, even while yet here on earth, to hear the majestic tones which shall summon us to the presence of God and of Christ. Now, the Holy Ghost seeks for an ear open to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Then, no such quest is made, but the ear of every saint is divinely opened, as a precious act of grace, to the accents and melodies of heaven,—yea, to the very voice of God in the scene which His presence fills.
Observe next, that we shall see the Lord as He is, even "face to face." As the ear for such hearing, so the eye for such seeing must needs be specially adapted: we conclude, then, that in that moment of moments our spiritual sensibilities will acquire an unwonted ability and competency for these new and marvelous impressions. And, oh! beloved saints, what a crowning joy will this be. actually to look with unintercepted gaze upon the face of JESUS our Lord! In the same instant that we hear His voice we see His face. Precious Savior! Oh! what, what can compare with this—that every ransomed saint of God shall see Thee in such peerless beauty and with such ravished vision as none of Thine have ever seen Thee yet? Oh! bliss ecstatic and beyond compare!!
But yet another element in the blessedness that is to be ours then, is that "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." This also is included in the program of that super-magnificent moment measured by " the twinkling of an eye." Between the eye dropping upon every earthly object and its opening upon the Person of the glorified Man, will not only our ears and our eyes, but our bodies of humiliation be changed under the fashioning of His mighty hand into the likeness of His body of glory.
Meeting the Lord in the air, and thus glorified together, we enter the Father's house and fill the prepared place which the Lord has ordained for us in glory. We are thus and henceforth with Him where Be is. We have now entered upon everlasting habitations; we have attained to the rest of God, the rest that remaineth; we are at home at last, saved to the uttermost, beatified in heaven; grace is crowned with glory.
But " what will it be to dwell above? " The question recurs. Nevertheless we have got thus far. Hearing as we have never heard before, we shall hear His voice. Seeing as we never saw before, we shall see His face. Caught up to meet Him in the air, we shall be like Him. We shall be at home in the Father's house, filling the place prepared by Christ, and enjoying the rest of God.
If we turn to the Revelation, we shall find that chapters 1.-3. contain many luminous notices casting a flood of light upon the subject before us. There meets us the Person of Christ, which to the Church of God must, and always will be, the first feature of heaven. As in the world illustrious personages are entitled to invest themselves with robes of rank or office, and to wear costumes decked with the insignia of orders of distinction, and from time to time assume these as occasion requires, so may we conclude that the glories of Christ as Son of Man, whether as Faithful Witness, First-begotten of the dead, Prince of the
Kings of the earth, etc., though He be no longer exercising precisely the same functions, shall each be displayed to our enraptured gaze. Nor shall we ever overlook the eternity and immutability of His being, who is " Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, which is, and which was, and which is to come," (chap. 1.). In the next two chapters are promises to the over-comers, which having been then fulfilled, supply us with distinct features of our blessing on high. The first of these is the eating of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. The world has for by-words " The Fool's Paradise," as expressing what has no reality, and " Mahommed's Paradise," as expressing the dream of a sensualist, but the Holy Ghost has introduced us to the Paradise of God, the characteristic of which is the Tree of life in the midst. The dying robber on the cross was promised that the same day he should be with the Lord in paradise—for with Him is paradise to the heart that has learned His value. As a man approaches a tree to pluck its fruit whensoever he desires, so also shall we in God's Paradise find our adorable Lord accessible to His glorified saints, the eternal food of their souls. Then we read of a crown of life, as elsewhere of a crown incorruptible, a crown of righteousness, and a crown of glory—distinctions conferred as reward to the saints, doubtless, at the judgment seat; but from Rev. 4:44And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4), where the twenty-four elders are seen in white raiment and enthroned, and wearing crowns of gold, we safely infer that each saint of God in heaven will before Him wear a golden crown.
It may be well here, however, to guard our readers against an unscriptural literality. Our brows will not be decked with an actual piece of metal wrought into forms of beauty as by a workman's hand. Such things are of the earth, earthy. But only by means of figures with which the human mind is conversant could the Spirit of God convey to us what had to be revealed, and what is spiritually revealed needs to be spiritually discerned. Thus the crown of gold implies the dignity of kings and priests displayed before God in excellency, in beauty, and in glory. We have also in the same chapter the eating of the hidden Manna and the new name engraved on the white stone, or the communion of personal intimacy and affection, as to which we have often joyfully sung in the language of a revered saint:
There on the hidden bread
Of Christ—once humbled here—
God's treasured store—forever fed,
His love my soul shall cheer.
Called by that secret name
Of undisclosed delight,
(Blest answer to reproach and shame)
Graved on the stone of white.
The hidden Manna doubtless refers to that which was enshrined in the golden pot, and laid up before the Lord in the ark of testimony. When the Manna fell morning by morning it whitened all the wilderness as far as the eye could range. Nothing could have been more publicly displayed, beautifying as it did every hill and every valley. But the one omer of Manna that was in the golden pot was within the ark— truly the hidden Manna, for no eye but that of God beheld it. Thus it was not there the expression of what the Lord Jesus was as manifested to the eyes of men but what He was in the unerring estimate of God His Father. To eat of the hidden Manna, then, is to have communion with the Father in the outgoing of His affections to the person of Christ, to have fellowship with Him in the joy and delight of His heart in the One who from all eternity has dwelt in His bosom; entering, so far as a creature can, into His own estimate of the attractions and perfections which center in the Son of His love! The new name we suggest, denotes the nearest and dearest confidences between the Lord and him who receives it from Him. It is His personal token of favor and approval. Mine shall not be another's, nor another's mine. Each has distinctly and characteristically that which is his own, into which none other shall pry, and with which none else shall intermeddle, -a name given him by the Lord and engraved on the white stone, token of a recognized personal intimacy and affectionate interest. Oh, precious pledge of individual attachment and eternal favor! Then, further, we have " He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations, etc., and I will give him the morning star (Rev. 2:2828And I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:28)). Here we have conferred authority; rule delegated to the saints as associated with the Lord in the day of His power; manifested public glory in connection with the subjugation of His enemies (Gentile Nations) when He is about to be displayed as King of kings and Lord of lords. But to us He will never lose the character of " the Morning Star," as our hearts knew Him when we watched for His corning. Following this, we have His open recognition of His saints in full communion with Himself, the overcomers of the church period, walking with Him in white and confessed by name before His Father and His holy angels.
" Oh! for the robe of whiteness,
To walk with Christ in light;
Oh! for the glorious brightness
Of day without a night."
Then comes the blessed disclosure of the promises given to Philadelphia. Wondrous indeed are these. A pillar in the temple of my God, " The name of my God," " The name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, and my new name." These may point to priesthood—the temple, and to kingship—the city which we have already referred to. But that we are constituted dignitaries in the kingdom is not all that is disclosed here. There is " The name of my God " and " My new name "—the name stands for the person, and indicates the closest character of association. More closely associated with God and with Christ we could not be, even as the signet upon His hand upon which His Name is indelibly engraved. And last of these disclosures is the promise of a seat on the throne of Christ together with Him, as He who is God over all, blessed forever, is now seated with His Father upon His throne. It is as the Glorified Man that He is thus seated now, and it is as such that He will seat us together with Himself, and we shall reign with Him. Nor do we need here to draw a comparison as to which of these things is greatest, or highest, or best. In the domain of Eden were flowers and fruits, every one of which was worthy of Him who had planted the lovely scene, and that which ought to have enhanced it to Adam and to Eve was the knowledge that the Lord God had Himself arranged the garden in bounty and beauty for their delight. Thus also in surveying the varied glories and the multiplied joys which await His saints, what should, beyond a challenge, confer the crowning charm on each is the reflection, as we contemplate one after another, that this, and this, and this; yea, each and every one, is a token before all intelligences of His exhaustless love to His own; that love of His which is equaled only by the infinitude of those divine resources which are laid under tribute for its eternal display.
But it is to be feared that, in the case of many, the future of the saint is marred in its anticipations by a vague uncertainty as to its actual character and an apprehended monotony in its enjoyment. Neither of these two things, however, can be attributed either to what is or what is not said in Scripture. Such feelings are formed by natural considerations or natural experiences. Scripture teems with suggestive indications and pregnant intimations in divine imagery of what will characterize our heavenly abode, and its unwearied engagements and enjoyments. Nor could there be any apprehension of monotony in these did we really compare the multitudinous variety prevailing in the Scriptural statements and allusions on this subject.
Let it be remembered that as this world now proceeds it is marked by persistent and ceaseless change; physical, moral, political and religious changes are incessant. The law of change permeates it from its center to its circumference. Its mutations and consequent uncertainties have become so utterly baffling that the moderns have invented a new proverb, viz., It is the unexpected that happens," indicating that its changes have become so constant and so complicated that experience is outwitted, and a sound judgment frequently at fault. But in the house and home of the Father, in the unveiled presence of our Savior and Lord, we shall not possess the restless excitability which craves for change and wearies without it. This element will not be found in our glorified bodies, vehicles as they will be for the delighted appreciation of all that is Spiritual and Exalted, and for the enjoyment in unbroken communion of all that is of God.
There shall we serve without exhaustion; there shall we worship without weariness; there shall we enjoy without satiety; and our rest in the rest of God shall to the ages of ages know no monotony.
But, beloved, what wondrous scenes we shall soon behold! Do I say behold! Nay, rather, shall ourselves take part in. Take for instance, those of Rev. 4 and v. The prostration of the heavenly saints in one simultaneous act before Him who fills the throne; then the accumulating volume of praise reverberating throughout the vault of heaven culminating in the casting of the millions upon millions of golden crowns before the throne, as they exclaim, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power: for Thou hest created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are, and were created." And then in chapter v., the new 'song sung by the redeemed, and the voices of the host of heaven, yea, the voice of every creature in the universe, giving " Blessing and honor, and glory, and power unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." In this scene also, as the last verse marks, the heavenly saints fill a special part, as intelligently entering into this magnificent celebration of universal worship and praise.
Following these inaugural celebrations, we shall witness the opening of the seven-sealed scroll held in the hand of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the Lamb of God!—seal after seal broken by Him who is alone able to unfold the counsels of God and display His eternal purposes—and we shall in His presence witness the majestic effects which follow the opening of each consecutive seal. What wondrous sights Rev. 6 briefly notes, and the successive development of these upon the earth we shall behold from the heavenly platform. Marvelously blessed, too, that which follows in chapter 7., the sealing in the foreheads of twelve thousand saints from each of the twelve tribes, and beyond these the forecast of the countless multitude of Gentile believers who shall emerge from the great tribulation, who shall stand before the throne and before the Lamb clothed with white robes, having palms in their hands, and who shall raise aloud their voices, saying, Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." This shall be succeeded by the angelic host who stand around the throne prostrating themselves on their faces before it, worshiping God and saying, "Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen." We shall witness the 144,000 of Rev. 14, a Jewish remnant redeemed upon the earth, stand with the Lamb upon Mount Zion, and we shall hear the rapturous melody when they are harping with their harps and singing before us their new song, which none can learn but they. We shall also behold the apocalyptic company who, having been victorious over the beast, and his image, and his mark, and the number of his name, shall "stand upon the sea of glass, having the harps of God,' singing " the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb," etc.
Beloved of God, these are only some of the felicities which the heavenly saints shall experience when everlasting joy shall be Upon their heads. Incomparably blessed will it be that we shall constitute an essential part of all that is organized for the glory of Christ in the counsels of God. And one matter that may here be noticed is that the movements of nations and of armies upon earth working out, as they will, the development of God's cherished purposes, will proceed under our eyes, and will then fittingly possess an interest for our souls altogether surpassing any which we take in them now.
After the heavenly saints are caught up to be forever with the Lord, a period of carnal peace and worldly prosperity will probably ensue (1 Thess. 5:33For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)), to be quickly followed by gathering judgments.
"Nation, too, shall rise against nation,"—as it might be, the United States against Canada, or France against Switzerland,—"and kingdom against kingdom "—as it might be Spain against Portugal, or Belgium against Holland, or Italy against Turkey. The seven seals, the seven trumpets, the seven thunders, the seven vials must all be fulfilled. The two witnesses must also fulfill their testimony, be martyred, and ascend to heaven. The Roman Empire having been reconstituted in its ten kingdoms, and the Jews having in unbelief returned to their own land and rebuilt their temple in self-will, the Beast and the False Prophet, the Man of Sin, must fill up their cup of iniquity, and be, cast alive into the lake of fire. Mystical Babylon, ecclesiastical and secular, must meet their final doom while Alleluias are sounding in heaven; the great whore and wicked city giving place to the true Bride and the New Jerusalem then to be displayed at the celebration of the marriage of the Lamb. The Devil having previously been cast down from heaven, must be bound and cast into the bottomless pit.
The Lord, having left heaven followed by His heavenly saints, after bestowing rewards at the judgment seat, is now manifested in glory with them and appears for the deliverance of the chosen remnant of His earthly people, at that time dwelling safely (Ezek. 38;39), from the gigantic forces of the Russian Gog. He shall establish His throne in righteousness and reign before His ancients gloriously. Then shall we specially enjoy the grace which is to be brought unto us as Peter speaks, at the revelation of Jesus Christ when He shall appear, and we shall appear with Him in glory. Then shall the glory be revealed in us; for this is the time of the manifestation of the sons of God. Jerusalem, re-established as the city of the Great King, the city of solemnities, shall welcome all the restored tribes to the solemn services of the temple, now rebuilt after Ezekiel's model. The Gentile nations yielding of their abundance to exalted Israel, shall come up to her metropolis to worship annually the King, the Lord of hosts, the knowledge of the glory of the Lord thus covering the earth as the waters cover the sea.
What more need be said? Peace and prosperity, bounty and blessing shall characterize the millennial earth. Righteousness shall reign; evil shall be kept in check; there shall be a new heart and a right spirit, the Lord shall be in the midst of Israel, and will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, and all of them shall know the Lord from the least to the greatest. There shall be a return to the fruitfulness of Eden and to the simplicity of patriarchal life. " The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox." More beautiful than Canaan's lovely land, as seen by Israel's lawgiver from the top of Pisgah, on the mountain of Nebo, shall be to our enraptured eyes the millennial earth over which Christ shall reign in righteousness and in glory.
Then, also, the church shall reign with Him, the twelve apostles sitting upon twelve thrones as His vicegerents, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And when, after the thousand years of blessedness for the earth the final lesson shall have been given, demonstrating the incorrigibility of the human heart apart from divine grace personally received; when the Devil, loosed from his prison, shall have succeeded in making a final rebellion, and with his votaries is utterly over-whelmed and eternally imprisoned, to be tormented day and night forever; when the great white throne has received its Occupant, from whose lips the eternal doom of the wicked dead has been pronounced; when the new heaven and the new earth with no more sea shall be established by the fiat of God, and the tabernacle of God shall be with men and He shall dwell with them,-then shall we have known and be able to express, not in stumbling incoherence, but by qualifications derived from happy and continued experience, what it is to dwell above and with the Lord of glory reign!
In conclusion we would remark—that but a few pregnant words have been given to the Church of God as to the character of the eternal state; but let us be assured that not. one nor many millenniums will exhaust the fertility or versatility of divine resources, yea, eternity alone will give scope for the manifestation of what God hath prepared for them that love Him?
May these meditations serve to elevate the heart, to refresh the spirit, and to strengthen the faith of the reader in " the things which are not seen—eternal," though, haply, we may feel rebuked the while that our hearts are not more deeply and more habitually stirred with the contemplation of the coming glories of our adorable Savior and Lord!
"O pardon us, Lord, that our love to Thy name,
Is so faint, with so much our affections to move!
Our coldness might fill us with grief and with shame,
So much to be loved, and so little to love.
O kindle within us a holy desire,
Like that which was found in Thy people of old,
Who tasted Thy love and whose hearts were on fire,
While they waited in patience Thy face to behold."