[b]The glory of heaven![/b](Thomas Watson, "The Christian Soldier" 1669)If the mountains were gold; if every sand in the seawere a diamond; if the whole globe were a shininggemit would all still be infinitely beneath the gloryof heaven!1. In heaven, there shall be freedom from sin. Hereon earth, sin keeps house with us; it is as natural for usto sinas to breathe. The soul that is most purified, andcleansed by grace, is not without some dregs of corruption.But a sinful thought shall not creep into heaven! There isbeautywhich is not stained with lust; and honorwhichis not swelled with pride. "Nothing impure will ever enterit!" Revelation 21:272. In heaven, there shall be freedom from the assaultsof the red dragon. It is sad to have Satan daily solicitingus by his temptationsand laboring to trick us into sin. Butthe old serpent is forever cast out of the heavenly Paradise!3. In heaven, there shall be freedom from all afflictions.Our lives now are intertwined with troubles. "My life is consumedby anguish, and my years by groaning; my strength fails becauseof my affliction, and my bones grow weak." Psalm 31:10. Thereare many things to occasion troublesometimes poverty afflicts;sometimes sickness tortures; sometimes the unkindness of friendsbreaks the heart. Our lives, like the seas, are full of tempests.But in the kingdom of Heaven, there is nothing to give grief.There, all is serene and calm; there is nothing within to troubleusor without to molest us.4. The delights of the heavenly kingdom are unmixed. Thecomforts here below, are checkered. Honor may be stainedwith disgrace; joy interwoven with sorrow. Our suns are mixedwith clouds. But the delicacies of heaven are pure as well aspleasant. There is honeywhich has not one drop of gall. Thecrystal spring of joy, has no settlings of sorrow at the bottom.The rose in that paradiseis without prickles; the sun in thathorizonis without eclipse.This glorious kingdom, will make amends for all our labor and pains!
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon