p. 115 | LIFE IN HEAVEN

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 25, 1889

LIFE IN HEAVEN.

THE Bible teaches that life in Heaven is the real life, and that life on earth is the unreal and shadowy one. It is here that we see through a glass darkly or in a riddle; it is there that we see face to face. It is here that we know only in part; it is there that we shall know even as we are known. The theory that Heaven is unreal, intangible, and figurative finds no support in sacred Scripture or sound reason. Incarnate things are always the more unreal ones. . . .

The Bible nowhere teaches that Heaven is a figurative place or a land of intangible spirits, or that it is a place where "congregations ne'er break up and Sabbaths have no end," as stated in one of the old hymns; or that there the saints will forever stand upon a sea of glass and sing; or that in our Father's house each child will be assigned a sixteen-foot room, as some have calculated; or that Heaven is a place where we shall know nobody, not even ourselves, only as happy spirits—as though anybody could lose his own identity and everybody else's and be happy!

Heaven is God's throne and dwelling-place. It is the home of the holy angels. It is a land of rest, not idleness. It is a country represented by the old Caanan. In it is the city called the New Jerusalem. It is an eternal home, without worthless tenants or money-loving landlords. The society there will be the best in all the realms of Jehovah. It will be composed of holy angels of all orders, and redeemed men from every age, country, and clime. That we shall know each other in Heaven is both reasonable and scriptural.

As to what we shall do in Heaven it is not given us to know here only in a general way. Our chief end is to "glorify God and enjoy him forever." But here we may do this in our whole lives as well as in the special acts of prayer and praise, and I believe this will be so in Heaven. I do not believe we shall spend eternity in simply singing psalms or in congregational worship. Of course the direct worship of our heavenly Father and the adoration of the Redeemer may come first, but this will not be all. Not being environed with mortal necessities, we shall have all our eternity to devote to higher pursuits. Most of our time here is spent in trying to prolong and make comfortable our existence. This will not be necessary there. No toiling for food and raiment, no preparation for entertaining and maintaining the family relation; no time spent in caring for the sick and burying the dead; no part of our thoughts or exertions spent in devising means of travel; and not even time spent in erecting churches, or preaching and agonizing for lost sinners, for all there are forever free from sin, and in no danger of the wiles of the enemy. What then shall we do? In a general way it may be safe for us to hope—

First, to see God's face, be brought into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and pour out our souls in love and adoration.

Second, to meet and know our friends who shall be counted worthy of that world and the resurrection from the dead, and to enjoy their society forever.

Third, then in all eternity to study the works of God and to glorify him through and in them.

The universe will be spread out before us, and by the highest principles of true science, and from the data of the immortals, we shall study the principles and history of all the galaxies of worlds, the many mansions in our Father's house. But who can really describe the Christian's conception of Heaven? In all the rapturous flights of the morning-stars of creation, in all the ecstatic acclamations of the elder sons of God, the thought is not expressed; and though they tune their harps a thousand times and swell their voices in full chorus in countless efforts, the theme will not be reached.

"Come, then, expressive silence, muse its praise."

—Rev. A. Martin (Disciple).