Online Bible 1995 March/ROM-1025.iso/olb/gill/d_500.lzh/D_501.TXT

Text File | 1994-08-18 | 6KB | 123 lines

OF THE FINAL STATE OF THE SAINTS IN HEAVEN.

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by Christ; their office and dignity are alike; they are
alike raised by his grace and favour, from a low estate,
to sit among princes, and to inherit the same throne of
glory.
8. The future glory and happiness of the saints is
frequently expressed by words of the singular number;
showing, that though it belongs to more, it is the same
to all, or that all have an equal right to and share in it;
thus it is called, the inheritance of the saints in light;
the inheritance reserved in heaven; a kingdom it is
their Father's good pleasure to give them; a crown of
righteousness laid np for them; and is signified by a
penny given to the labourers alike, who came into the
vineyard at different parts of the day, Col. i. 12. 1 Pet.
i. 4. Luke xii. 32. 2 Tim. iv. 8. Matt. xx. 9, 10.
It is a question moved by some, whether there will
not be an increase of the happiness of the saints in a
future state, or some addition made unto it, and im-
provement of it, by fresh discoveries of the mysteries
of grace and of providence, that may be gradually
made, which may afford new pleasure and delight.
This is not easy to determine; some are inclined to
think there will be an increase, as in the angels, who
desire to look more into the mysteries sf grace, 1 Pet.
i. l2. and have a greater knowledge of them, which
may be an addition to their happiness. But it is not
so certain, that angels by nature are meant in the text
referred to; but angels by office, ministers of the gos-
pel: besides, the happiness of the good angels may
not be as yet complete until all the elect men are ga-
thered in; as the punishment of the evil angels will
not be full until the day of judgment: and if any ad-
dition is gradually made to the happiness of the saints
in heaven, it must be imperfect until that addition is
made, and must continue so till the last is made; which
does not seem consistent with the perfection of their
state. However, much may be said for the growing
happiness of the saints onward in eternity; but the
determination of this question must be left. till we come
into that state, when we shall know even also as we are
known.
II. The eternity of this happiness is the next and
the last thing to be considered, and which is essential
to it; for let the happiness of men be what it may, yet
if it is to have an end, though at a great distance, the
thought of that will greatly spoil the pleasure of it;
hut this happiness will never have an end; as appears
by its names.
1. By its being freqnently called eternal life, ever-
lasting life, a life that will never end: the present life.
has an end; let a man live ever so long he dies at last;
it is said of Methuselah, the oldest man, that he lived
so many years, and he died; but he that lives and be-
lieves iu Christ shall never die; though he may die tor-
porally, he shall not die spiritnally and eternally, and
therefore must be everlastingly happy.
2. It is a glory, and it is called eternal glory, an eter-
n,d weight of glory, a crown of glory that fadetA not

away: the glory of kings and kingdoms continues not
loug, but passes away, and so their happiness is tem-
poral and transitory; but that of the saints endures
for ever, 2 Cor. iv. 17. 1 Pet. v. 10.
3. It is an house eternal in the heavens; it consists
of many rooms; there are many mansions, dwelling,
abiding places for the saints in it; and those habita-
tions are everlasting habitations, 2 Cor. v. 1. Luke xvi.
8. houses on earth may be consumed by fire, or be
ptfiled down by violence, or decay through length of
time; or a man may be turned out of house and home;
but nothing of this kind can befal the dwelling-place
of the saiuts in heaven, and them in that.
4. It is an inheritance, and an eternal one; an inhe-
ritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth
not away, Heb. ix. 15. 1 Pet. v. 4. An inheritance on
earth, a man may be dispossessed of by force or fraud;
but an inheritance in heaven is reserved there, and so
safe and secure; and is out of the reach of any to dis-
turb the saints in their possession of it.
5. It is a city, and a continuing one; here the saints
have none; but they seek one to come; a city which
has foundations firm and sure, and can never be sub-
verted, Heb. xi. 10. and xiii. 14. here cities of great
antiquity and fame, of great strength and glory, are
destroyed, and come to nothing, and their memorial
perishes with them; but this is a city that will endure
to all eternity.
6. It is a kingdom, and an everlasting one, 2 Pet. i. 11.
it is the kingdom of Christ, of which there will be no
end; in it the saints will reign with him for ever and
ever: his spiritual and mediatorial kingdom, when the
end cometh, will be delivered up to the Father; the
millennium kingdom will be at an end when the thou-
sand years are expired; but the kingdom of heaven,
or the ultimate state of glory, will never end.
7. It is a country in which the saints are not sojourn-
ers, as here, where they continue but for a while; and
so a better country than this; for there they will for
ever dwell as in their own native land, being born from
above, and partakers of the heavenly calling.
8. It is expressed by being with Christ, and which
will be for ever; aud with which words the saints are
directed to comfort themselves now, that they shall be
ever with the Lord/ Eternity infinitely adds to tim
happiness of this state.
9. The eternal purpose of God, which first gave
birth to this state of happiness; the everlasting cove-
nant of grace, in which it is secured; and the promise
of it, made before the world begau, confirm and en-
sure the everlasting continnance of it.
10. Were there any fears of its ever ending, it would
not be perfect happiness; but as perfect love casteth out
fear, so the full evidence that is giveu of the eternity
of the saints' happiness, casts out all fear of its ever
coming to an end: which, as it cannot be admitted.
can never be an alloy unto it.