"If in
this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
miserable."—1 Cor. 15:19. The language of the apostle
Paul implies that our present enjoyment is based largely on
our future prospects, which hope we have both sure and
steadfast. This was true in the life of Christ: "who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame." Amidst the trials, temptations, difficulties,
disappointments and adversities of life, the bright prospect
the Christian has in the future, is what encourages him to
cleave unto God with a purpose of heart. Yea, it enables him
to mount up on the wings of faith above the billows of life,
and outside its raging storms. It puts new courage in him, so
that he is enabled to run and not be weary, to walk and never
faint.
On the subject of our future abode
there are many different opinions. Notwithstanding the many
plain scriptures which teach the utter consuming and passing
away of this literal earth, there are many earthly-minded
people who believe that this earth will be the place of their
eternal abode. Among others, the Adventists generally believe
that in the literal kingdom of Christ upon earth (?) they will
plant vineyards, build houses, and live here forever. All such
ridiculous notions are outside the Word of truth.
We shall now take a positive
proposition and prove that heaven will be the place of our
future abode. I have met with some who deny that there is such
a place as heaven. They say that all the heaven there is, is
the heaven element we possess in perfect holiness. True, we
are now raised up in heavenly places, spiritually, but this
only prepares us to go and dwell "with Christ, which is
far better." We shall first give a few scriptures to
prove that there is such a place. "And Elijah went up by
a whirlwind into heaven."—2 Kings 2:11. Paul speaks of
the "third heaven."—2 Cor. 12 :2-4. "So then
after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into
heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."—Mark 16:19.
"Jesus Christ, who is gone into heaven, and is on the
right hand of God."—1 Pet. 3:22. "For Christ is
not entered into the holy places made with hands; but into
heaven ITSELF, now to appear in the presence of God for
us."—Heb. 9:24. When Stephen was dying, it is said that
he "looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory
of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said,
Behold, I see heaven opened, and the Son of man standing on
the right hand of God."." Then he cried, "Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit."—Acts 7:55-60. These texts,
with many others, so clearly prove that there is a place
called heaven, that there is no appeal from the fact. We shall
now prove that the same will be our future home.
"Knowing in yourselves that ye
have in heaven a better and an enduring
substance."—Heb. 10:34. Thank God for this plain text.
Everything in this world has an end. The grass withereth, the
flower fadeth away. The sturdy oak, in whose branches the
fowls of the air lodge, soon decays and is no more. All
natures teaches the "end of all things" pertaining
to earth. Even the monuments, the pyramids, in time crumble to
dust. This mortal body will soon return to mother earth. This
earth will pass away. But when time has run its course, when
the sun and moon no longer shine, when all things pertaining
to earth, and the earth itself is no more, and is forgotten,
"ye have in heaven a better and an enduring
substance." Yes, dear pilgrim, "in heaven," the
place of God's throne, and the home of the angels. "To an
inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not
away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of
God." —1 Pet. 1:4, 5. "For the hope which is laid
up for you in heaven." Col. 1:5. "The Lord shall
deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his
heavenly kingdom."— 2 Tim. 4:18. "For we know . .
. we have a building of God, an house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens."—2 Cor. 5:1. "Lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
cloth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and
steal." —Matt. 6:20. "A treasure in the heavens
that faileth not." —Luke 12:33 "Thou shalt have
treasure in heaven." —Matt. 19:21. "Great is your
reward in heaven."—Luke 6:23. Surely the foregoing is
sufficient to establish the fact that heaven will be our
future home.
So then after this earth has passed
away we look for new heaven and a new earth."—2
Pet. 3:13. The new earth is the "heavenly
country," the "better country." Heb.
11:16. The new heaven is the "heavenly city"; "for
he hath prepared for them a city."—Heb. 11:16.
"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek
one to come." Heb. 13:14. "Blessed are they
that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree
of life, and may enter in through the gates into the
city."—Rev. 22 :14.
There is a land where everlasting suns shed
everlasting brightness;
Where the soul drinks from the living streams which roll by
God's high throne.
Myriads of glorious ones bring their accepted offerings.
Oh, how blessed to look from this dark prison to that shrine,
To inhale one breath of Paradise divine,
And enter into the eternal home of rest, which awaits the sons
of God.
Brighter than the glorious sunsets, which
delight this earthly clime,
an the splendor of the dawnings, breaking o'er the hills of
time,
the richness of the radiance of that land beyond the sun,
Where the noble have their country, where the work of life is
done."
