31 THE INVITATION
THE INVITATION
"Then the King will say to those on his right: Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world!"Matthew 25:34
What a glorious privilege this will be! Blessed by Jesus’ Father! Yes, all whom the Father has blessed with divine instruction, with a saving interest in his own glorious person, and with his Holy Spirit to prepare them for glory.
Blessed? Yes, the Father blessed them with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. To them, the Father, in his good pleasure, gave the kingdom. And they—by his Word and ordinances, by his Spirit and his providences, had been preparing for the kingdom. And now Jesus, as the King of kings and Lord of lords, invites them to come and take possession of the kingdom!
It is a blessed state . . .
in which Jesus will reign,
from which Satan will be expelled,
into which sin, or sorrow, or suffering, can never enter.
It is a state, in which . . .
holiness is perfect,
happiness is complete, and
everlasting honors are conferred!
It is a state, in which we shall always . . .
see the King’s face,
enjoy the King’s presence, and
rejoice in the King’s favor.
O how different than our poor earthly state!
Wearied fellow-traveler, look forward and anticipate this glorious event!
How glorious the person,
how great the dignity,
how sweet the voice—
of him who gives the invitation!
How rich the grace,
how free the love,
how sovereign the mercy—
which confers such honor, such happiness on us!
Well may we exclaim, "He lifts the poor from the dust— yes, from a pile of ashes! He treats them like princes, and makes them inherit the throne of glory!" Are you fearful, feeble, timid, and prone to wander from the Lord? Fear not! Soon, perhaps very soon, you will hear him say, "’Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world!"
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom!" Luke 12:32