Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY.
Adam Clarke
XXXIV.—HEAVEN.
THE state of eternal glory implies three things:—1. An absence of all
suffering, pain, sin, and evil. 2. The presence of all good, both of the
purest and most exalted kind. And, 3. The complete satisfaction of all the
desires of the soul, at all times, and through eternity, without the
possibility of decrease on the one hand, or of satiety on the other, or of
any termination of the existence of the receiver or the received. This is
ineffably great and glorious, but the apostle exceeds all this by saying, "an
heir of God." It is therefore not heaven merely; it is not the place where
no ill can enter, and where pure and spiritual good is eternally present; it
is not merely a state of endless blessedness in the regions of glory; it is
GOD HIMSELF;—God in his plenitude of glories; God, who, by the eternal
communications of his glories, meets every wish and satisfies every
desire of a deathless and imperishable spirit, which he has created for
himself, and of which himself is the only portion. To a soul composed of
infinite desires, what would the place or state called "heaven" be, if God
were not there? God, then, is the portion of the soul, and the only portion
with which its infinite powers can be satisfied. How wonderful is his lot!
A child of corruption, lately a slave of sin and heir of perdition; tossed
about with every storm of life; in afflictions many and privations oft;
having perhaps scarcely where to lay his head; and at last prostrated by
death, and mingled with the dust of the earth; but now, how changed! The
soul is renewed in glory; the body fashioned after the glorious human
nature of Jesus Christ; and both joined together in an indestructible bond,
clearer than the indestructible moon, brighter than the sun, and more
resplendent than all the heavenly spheres; for having conquered and
triumphed in the church militant, it is now set down with Jesus on his
throne, as he, having overcome, is set down with the Father on the
Father's throne. Hallelujah! The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! And his
children, his followers and confessors, shall reign with him for ever and
ever! Amen.