Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

Eternal life is the proper object of an immortal spirit's hope, the only
sphere where the human intellect can rest, and be happy in the place and
state where God is; where he is seen AS HE IS; and where he can be
enjoyed without interruption in an eternal progression of knowledge and
beatitude.
It is neither an earthly portion nor a heavenly portion, but God himself
who is to be their portion. It is not heaven they are to inherit; it is GOD
who is infinitely greater and more glorious than heaven itself. With such
powers has God created the soul of man, that nothing less than himself
can be a sufficient and satisfactory portion for the mind of this most
astonishing creature.
The song of praise to God, through Christ, begun on earth, and
protracted through all the generations of men, till the end of time, shall
be continued in heaven by those who, having here received the salvation
of God, and continued faithful unto death, in the resurrection of the just
are taken to that ineffable glory, where, being like him, they shall see him
as he is; and being raised to his right hand, have fulness of joy and
pleasures for evermore: in which state, eras, limits, and periods are
absorbed in one eternal duration.
It is in vain to attempt to describe this state: when we say that in it
there is no sin, we at once see that in it there can be no pain, no misery,
no death. From it all evil is absent, and in it all good is present. There the
introduction of evil is impossible; and there the loss of good is equally so.
The time of probation is only on earth: the day of trial with the blessed is
for ever ended; and now they are in that state in reference to which their
probation existed. This duration we often express by "world without end,"
that is, the world or state that has no end; sometimes by "for ever and
ever," that is, one EVER or duration that is endless, succeeding one that is
ended. And sometimes by a yet more forcible expression, "for evermore,"
that is, for ever—through the whole lapse of time; and more, the
unlimited duration that shall succeed it. All these are phrases which
labour to express what is at once both ineffable and inconceivable.