A holier, happier, sublimer and
more durable world than this, by William Nicholson, 1862. and this is what he promised
us even eternal life 1st John chapter 2 verse 25 this poor
world is full of sin, sorrow, pain and death if we have this
life only we would be most miserable but the Christian has the unfailing
hope of a holier, happier, sublimer and more durable world than this
This hope supports him in every scene of earthly conflict and
distress. As the mariner, tossed by the
storm and tempest, hopes to gain the desired haven. As the traveler,
fatigued by the perils and toils of his journey, hopes to reach
his own beloved home. As the soldier, harassed by conflict
in the field of battle, hopes to conquer and to wear the victor's
crown, so the Christian pilgrim, in the midst of his strenuous
labours, hopes that he will successfully brave all the storms of life,
finish his course, fight the good fight of faith, and then
lay hold on eternal life in his father's house above. believers
shall enjoy eternal life in heaven as the residence of the ever-blessed
God, His palace of splendor, the habitation of His holiness,
the place where His honour dwells, the dwelling place of angels
and perfected spirits. 1. Heaven is a place of inexpressible
felicity as it appears from its names. The paradise of God, a
building from God, a mansion of God, a heavenly city, a better
country, a priceless inheritance, an eternal kingdom, an unfading
crown of glory, peace, rest, and joy of the Lord. 2. Heaven will be a life of complete
purity. Sin, in this world, is the great
source of estrangement from God. It is that which constantly vexes
and distresses the soul, but in heaven sin can never enter
to defile. Nothing impure will ever enter
it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,
but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of
Life. Revelation chapter 21 verse 27. we shall be faultless and like
God Jude verse 24 Ephesians chapter 5 verse 26 and 27 1st John chapter
3 verse 2 and Psalm 17 verse 15 Heaven will be a life of perfect
happiness. There's no perfect happiness
in this poor world. Life here is like the fluctuations
of the sea or weather, calms and storms, sunshine and clouds. Sorrow is frequently the lot
of God's people. Some are afflicted under the
hand of God, or mourning the loss of relatives or friends,
or sunk into deep adversity. Some are weeping over the sins
of others, parents over their children, pastors over their
flocks, and Christians over the wickedness of the world. But
all the causes of evil will be annihilated in heaven. Sin shall
distress no more. Satan shall tempt no more. Sickness
shall pain no more. The tyrant shall oppress no more. Death shall bereave and destroy
no more. Never again will they hunger.
Never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat, for the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs
of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes. Revelation chapter 7 verse 16
and 17. 4. Heaven will be a life of the
greatest honor. A. They will be raised to a kingdom. Do not be afraid, little flock,
for your father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke
chapter 12 verse 32. What can be received more than
a kingdom? It is the highest dignity known
on earth. Who can be mightier than a king? be. It will be a life of honour
which conquerors obtain. Crowns of victory are in reserve. Everlasting joy shall be upon
their heads. Here on earth they wear a crown
of thorns, but there they will wear a diadem of glory. It will be an incorruptible crown,
not a fading laurel, etc. 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verse
25 No length of time will terminate the dominion of the saints or
tarnish the luster of their crowns. They shall reign forever and
ever. it is called a crown of righteousness
2nd Timothy chapter 4 verse 7 it was purchased by the righteousness
of Christ and is given wholly for his sake to his redeemed
people It is a crown of life, meaning they shall never die.
The crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James chapter 1 verse 12, Revelation
chapter 2 verse 10. It is a crown of gold, Revelation
chapter 4 verse 4, to denote the priceless and lasting honor
to which they will be advanced and the superlative wealth of
the kingdom which they will possess. See, they shall sit upon a throne,
the throne of Christ. To him who overcomes, I will
grant to sit with me on my throne. Revelation chapter three, verse
21. What a lofty throne. What an
expansive throne in which he will make room for all his faithful
soldiers. Five. heaven will be a life of
rich enjoyment A. heaven is represented as a feast
many will come from the east and the west and will take their
places at the feast Matthew chapter 8 verse 11 b. Heaven is represented as a marriage
supper. Blessed are those who are invited
to the wedding supper of the Lamb. Revelation chapter 19 verse
9. c. Heaven is represented as a
life of enjoyment in the best society, God himself, angels
and glorified saints. D. Heaven is represented as enjoyment
of the beatific vision of God, when we shall see Him face to
face and understand the mysteries of creation, providence and grace. Then the enraptured soul will
exclaim, You have done all things well. See, to crown all, heaven
is called eternal life. Most of the scriptural representations
of heaven are combined with adjectives expressive of endless perpetuity. Hence, heaven is called the everlasting
kingdom, the incorruptible inheritance, the exceeding and eternal weight
of glory, et cetera, et cetera. If a miser could insure his wealth
for eternity, that alone would be heaven enough for him. But
it is his misery when he dies that he can carry none of his
riches away with him. But he who lays up treasure in
heaven need not fear moth or rust or thief. All is eternally
secure.