Beautiful Heaven Quotes, Part 11

Beautiful Heaven Quotes, Part 11

Compiled by Grace Gems

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes! (Maria Sandberg, "Glimpses of Heaven!" 1880)
"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!" Revelation 7:17 Although it is true that "whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives"--still we are not all called upon to suffer great tribulation. God appoints for each, the discipline needed to prepare him for glory. With some He deals gently, for "He knows how much the weak can bear." He sees the tenderness of their spirits, the gentleness of their nature. With others He may appear to deal more harshly--He alone knows how hard and stubborn is their will, how great their backslidings, how needful all this seeming severity. He also permits great tribulation to fall upon some, that they may be examples to His Church; examples of love, of patience, of long-suffering--and is not this an honor? Shall we not count it all joy to be thus tried? And has not God promised to proportion His consolations to the sufferings of His people? With what powerful comfort will such a passage as that which we are meditating upon, come home to the deeply-tried Christian--to him whose tears are wrung from him by pain of body, loss of friends, one bitter affliction after another: "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!" The anticipation of suffering is often a cause of greater anguish than suffering itself; for though we are told not to worry about anything--still, the anxious mind will often distress itself with gloomy forebodings while in this valley of tears. But in Heaven, we shall have no fear of evil--no cause for fears. God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes: the tear of sympathy, the tear of pity, the tear of separation, the tear of pain, the tear of godly sorrow for sin, the tear of disappointed hope, the tear of wounded affection --shall flow no more! "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!"
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined! (Thomas Doolittle, "Love to Christ Necessary to Escape the Curse at His Coming!" 1693)
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined--what God has prepared for those who love Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9 The lovers of Christ have great preparations made by God Himself, for their happiness in the eternal world. For all the lovers of the world, and sin, and vanity--wrath and Hell are prepared! But for the lovers of Christ, such things are prepared as transcend . . . the most refined mind to conceive, the most eloquent tongue to express, or the ablest pen to describe! The eye of man has seen admirable things, coasts of pearl, golden mines, stately monuments, kingly palaces--but never has eye seen such things as God has prepared for those who love Him. The mind of man can conceive more than the eye has seen, or the ear has heard. It can imagine all pebbles to be pearls, all the earth to be a silver heap, the sea to be liquid gold, the air to be transparent crystal, and every candle to be a star! And if all these were so--they would be but as a grain of sand, compared to a mountain, a beam of light, compared to the sun, a drop, compared to the ocean, a grain, compared to a golden mine-- when compared with the things that are prepared for such as love God and Christ! For those things are so great--that they cannot be measured; so many--that they cannot be numbered; so precious--that they cannot be valued; so durable and lasting--that they can never be ended! They exceed our faith! They are beyond our hope--and above our desires! They might be possessed hereafter--but they cannot be comprehended here, because . . . for sublimity--they are incomprehensible, for transcendence--they are inexplicable, for glory--they are unutterable, for sweetness--they are inconceivable, for sureness--they are unquestionable, for fullness--they are immeasurable, for firmness--they are unmovable, for lastingness--they are unchangeable!
The prosperity of the wicked (Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")
"I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence." Psalm 73:3, 12-13 The children of God have little cause to envy the prosperity of the wicked. They may have all they can desire; nay, they may have "more than heart can wish." Psalm 73:7. They steep themselves in pleasure! "They sing to the music of tambourine and harp; they make merry to the sound of the flute." Job 21:12. The wicked are high--when God's people are low in the world. The goats scramble up the mountains of prosperity; when Christ's sheep are below in the valley of tears! The wicked are clothed in purple; while the godly are in sackcloth. The prosperity of the wicked is a great stumbling block. But there is no cause of envy them, if we consider two things: First--that this is all they have! "Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things" --you had all your heaven here. Secondly--that God has laid up better things for His children. He has prepared a kingdom of glory for them! They shall have the beatific vision; they shall be crowned with the pleasures of paradise forever! Oh, then do not envy the fleeting prosperity of the wicked! The wicked go through a pleasant way--to execution! The godly go through a foul way--to coronation! See how happy all the saints are at death! They go to a kingdom! They shall see God's face, which shines ten thousand times brighter than the sun in its meridian glory. The godly at death shall be installed into their honor, and have the royal crown set upon their head. They have in the kingdom of heaven--the quintessence of all delights. They shall lie in Christ's bosom, that bed of spices. There is such a pleasant variety in the happiness of heaven, that after millions of years it will be as fresh and desirable as the first hour's enjoyment! In the kingdom of heaven, the saints are crowned with all those perfections which they are capable of. The desires of the glorified saints are infinitely satisfied; there is nothing absent which they could wish might be enjoyed; there is nothing present which they could wish might be removed. In the kingdom of heaven there is knowledge without ignorance, holiness without sin, beauty without blemish, strength without weakness, light without darkness, riches without poverty, ease without pain, liberty without restraint, rest without labor, joy without sorrow, love without hatred, plenty without surfeit, honor without disgrace, health without sickness, peace without discord, contentment without cessation, glory in its highest elevation! Oh, the happiness of those who die in the Lord! They go into this blessed kingdom!
They always leave a sting! (William Nicholson, "Death, the Believer's Gain!" 1862)
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!" Philippians 1:21 At death, the Christian gains pleasure without pain. "You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!" Psalm 16:11. Hence pain will never follow pleasure--it will never be experienced at all. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away!" Revelation 21:4 In this sinful world, there is no perfect enjoyment. The sweetest cup of earthly bliss, has always more or less of the drops of the ocean of bitterness mingled with it. The brightest day of joy, is invariably followed by the dark night of sorrow. This world is a barren wilderness, and contains neither the fruit of the garden of Eden, nor the milk and honey of the land of promise. Here the pleasures of sin are but for a season--and they always leave a sting! But in Heaven, pleasures will be pure, holy, exquisite, and eternal--ever yielding satisfaction and joy. To die and enter Heaven, will be gain indeed!
This tremendous scene!
Winslow, "The Coming of the Lord, The Crown and Consummation of Spiritual Life"
Pause, then, for a moment, and contemplate, with the eye of faith, or if you have no faith, with the eye of imagination, this tremendous scene! Look at that point, far away in the ethereal regions, where the gradually lessening form of our Savior disappeared from the gaze of His disciples, when He ascended to heaven. In that point see an uncommon, but faint and undefined, brightness just beginning to appear. It has caught the roving eye of yon careless gazer, and excited his curiosity. He points it out to a second, and a third. A little circle soon collects, and various are the conjectures which they form respecting it. Similar circles are formed, and similar objections made, in a thousand different parts of the world. But conjecture is soon to give place to certainty; awful, appalling, overwhelming certainty. While they gaze, the appearance, which had excited their curiosity, rapidly approaches, and still more rapidly brightens. Some begin to suspect what it may prove; but no one dares to give utterance to his suspicions. Meanwhile the light of the sun begins to fade before a brightness superior to his own. Thousands see their shadows cast in a new direction, and thousands of hitherto careless eyes look up at once to discover the cause. Full clearly they see it; and now new hopes and fears begin to agitate their breasts. The afflicted and persecuted servants of Christ begin to hope that the predicted, long expected day of their deliverance is arrived. The wicked, the careless, the unbelieving, begin to fear that the Bible is about to prove no idle tale. And now fiery shapes, moving like streams of lightning, begin to appear indistinctly amid the bright, dazzling cloud which comes rushing down as on the wings of a whirlwind. At length it reaches its destined place. It pauses. Then, suddenly unfolding, discloses at once a great white throne, where sits; starry, resplendent, in all the glories of the Godhead; the Man Christ Jesus! Every eye sees Him; every heart knows Him. Too well do the wretched, unprepared inhabitants of earth now know what to expect, and one universal shriek of anguish and despair rises up to heaven, and is echoed back to earth. But louder, far louder, than the universal cry, now sounds the last trumpet; and far above all is heard the voice of the Omnipotent, summoning the dead to arise and come to judgment. New terrors now assail the living on every side, no, under their very feet, the earth heaves as in convulsions; graves open, and the dead come forth; while, at the same moment, a change, equivalent to that occasioned by death, is effected by Almighty power on the bodies of the living. Their mortal bodies put on immortality, and are thus prepared to sustain a weight of glory or of wretchedness, which flesh and blood could not endure. Meanwhile, legions of angels are seen, darting from pole to pole, gathering together the faithful servants of Christ from the four winds of heaven, and bearing them aloft to meet the Lord in the air, where He causes them to be placed at His own right hand, preparatory to the sentence which He is to award to them, everlasting life. Christian, if you would gain more and greater victories over the world than you have ever done, bring this scene often before the eye of your mind, and gaze upon it until you become blind to all earthly glory. He who gazes long at the sun becomes unsusceptible of impressions from inferior luminaries; and he who looks much at the Sun of Righteousness, will be little affected by any alluring object which the world can exhibit.
Peace, and rest, and perfect bliss! (from Octavius Winslow's "Our Father's House")
World, farewell! my soul is weary;
I would here no longer stay,
In your desert wild and dreary;
Heavenward will I wend my way.
World! in you is war and strife,
Pride and vanity are rife,
But in Heaven there ever is
Peace, and rest, and perfect bliss!
On that blessed shore arriving,
Pain and sadness at an end,
Done all anxious care and striving,
Resting with my dearest Friend!
In the world is need and woe,
And at last death's bitter throe;
But in Heaven above shall be
Peace, and joy, and purity.
What are earthly joy and pleasure?
Cloud and mist and empty wind.
What are worldly wealth and treasure?
Burdens for the weary mind.
Oh, what glorious songs are pealing
From that chosen, spotless throng;
Over the plains of heaven stealing, '
Holy, holy,' still their song!
World! in you are scoffs and jeers,
Hatred, woe, and bitter tears;
While in Heaven there ever is
Peace, and rest, and perfect bliss!
Here is weeping and repining,
Earthly joy not long endures;
If a while the sun is shining,
Soon dark night his beams obscures.
World! deep anguish is in you,
And the final agony;
But in Heaven above there is
Peace, and rest, and perfect bliss!
There my Lord unveils His glory,
I shall see Him face to face.
And repeat the wondrous story
Of a sinner saved by grace.
When the woes of earth are past,
And death's bitter pang at last,
Then in heaven above will be
Peace, and joy, and purity.
Oh to join the thrilling voices
Of that happy, sainted choir!
Each in Jesus Christ rejoices,
All their thoughts to Him aspire.
Cheer, my soul, the time is nearing
You your Savior's face shall see!
Do you love your Lord's appearing?
Joyful shall that moment be.
World! you have but storm and strife,
Fear and sadness, death in life;
While in Heaven there ever is
Peace, and rest, and perfect bliss!
Now, in love without dissembling,
Savior, school my willing heart,
That when worlds are round me trembling,
'Come,' I hear, and not, 'Depart.'
World! in you is fear and care,
Sin and sadness everywhere;
But at HOME there ever is
Peace, and rest, and perfect bliss!
Heaven! (from Octavius Winslow's "Solitude Sweetened")
'Companionship of God' is the highest, purest, sweetest mercy a saint of God can have on earth! Yes, it is the highest, purest, sweetest bliss the saints of God can have in Heaven! What is the enjoyment of Heaven? Not merely exemption from trial, and freedom from sorrow, and rest from toil, and release from conflict. O no! it is the presence; the full, unclouded presence of our Father there! To be with Christ; to behold his glory; to gaze upon his face; to hear his voice; to feel the throbbings of his bosom; to bask in the effulgence of God's presence; O this is Heaven, the Heaven of Heaven!
The sparkling diamond in the ring of glory! (Thomas Brooks, "Paradise Opened" 1675)
"Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory!" John 17:24 Christ can never rest satisfied until His gracious communion with His people here on earth, issues in their perfect and glorious communion with Him in heaven. Christ is very desirous of His people's fellowship and company. It is a part of Christ's joy--that they should be where He is. Christ will not be happy alone. As a tender father, He can enjoy nothing if His children may not have part with Him. Even now--He is always with them to eye their behavior, to hear their prayers, to guide their way, to protect their persons, to cheer their spirits, and to delight in their presence. The greatest part of the happiness which we shall have in heaven, lies in this--that then we shall be with Christ, and have immediate communion with Him. O sirs! the great end of our being in heaven, is to behold and enjoy the glory of Christ! Certainly the glory and happiness of heaven to the elect, will consist much in being in Christ's company, in whom they delight so much on earth. To follow the Lamb wherever He goes, to enjoy Him fully, and to be always in His presence--is the heaven of heaven, the glory of glory! This is the sparkling diamond in the ring of glory! The day is coming wherein believers shall be completely happy in a sight of Christ's glory, and shall visibly and immediately behold and enjoy Him! "Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory!" John 17:24
The most prominent object in heaven? (Spurgeon, "The Lamb in Glory" #2095)
"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne" Revelation 5:6 Jesus, in his 'sacrificial' character, is the most prominent object in heaven. So far from 'substitution' being done with, and laid aside as a temporary expedient, it remains the object of universal wonder and adoration. In all his present glory, Jesus disdains not to appear as the Lamb that has been slain. This still is his chosen character. Jesus, as the Lamb, is the center of the wonderful circle which makes up the fellowship of heaven. As the Lamb slain, he is the object of heavenly worship. He who became a Lamb that he might take away the sin of the world, is not ashamed of his humiliation, but still manifests it to adoring myriads, and is, for that very reason, the very object of their enthusiastic worship. They worship the Lamb that sits upon the throne and say, "Worthy is the Lamb," because he was slain and redeemed his people by his blood. His atoning sacrifice is the great reason for their deepest reverence and their highest adoration. The doctrine of Atonement is the first and foremost teaching of Scripture, the greatest well of the believer's comfort, the highest hill of God's glory. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Rev. 5:12 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." Rev. 7:17
The worldling's trash! (Mary Winslow) "We have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is reserved in Heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay!" 1 Peter 1:4 God will not put us off with the worldling's trash. He has higher enjoyments for His children! No weeping in Heaven! Blessed be God for the hope He has given us beyond this scene of sin and sorrow. Let us arise, and travel on! "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory!" Colossians 3:2-4
We shall be like Him! (James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")
We are predestined to be conformed to Christ's image. But now we groan, being burdened with sin. Now we are grieved, because our tempers are so unlovely, our feelings are so carnal, our minds are so wandering, and our hearts are so depraved. "But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him--for we shall see Him as He is!" 1 John 3:2. We shall be exactly like Him--in every sentiment, feeling, and design! Then selfishness will be forever done away. There will be no more rebellion in the will, hardness in the heart, wandering in the affections, guilt in the conscience, or blindness in the understanding; but every faculty will be perfect in holiness--and the whole soul filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory! We shall be like Him! Then we shall be perfect in knowledge! "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." We shall be like Him! Then we shall be perfect in love! We shall love God perfectly and supremely. We shall love all who love Christ, even as we love ourselves. We shall be like Him! Then we shall be perfect in happiness! Every wish will be gratified, every desire fulfilled, every prayer answered. We shall be like Him! Then we shall be glorious! Is Jesus enthroned? We shall sit with Him on His throne. Is Jesus crowned? He will give unto us an unfading crown of glory! "But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him--for we shall see Him as He is!"
Pleasures forevermore! ("Solitude Sweetened" by James Meikle, 1730-1799)
Alas! with what desperate madness are those chargeable--who are taken up with transitory trifles, and neglect the realities of the everlasting world? When I consider the vanity of all earthly greatness, I cannot help concluding, that such as pursue after it are intoxicated with poison. But even if the pleasures of this world were real and solid, yet they are so transient--that they are not worthy our pursuit! O how wise they are for earthly trifles--but how foolish for eternal realities! Once a great king made a vast feast for his nobles for a hundred and eighty days; nothing less than a royal treasury could support the expense of such an entertainment. But the King of kings shall feast and satiate all His mighty angels, and all His chosen people on His own undiminished fullness through eternity itself! Here is bliss without ceasing, abundance beyond all bounds, and possession without end! "In Your presence is fullness of joy! In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore!" (Psalm 16:11)