10 Sermon Illustrations on Heavenly Joy

I heard of a Christian who did not succeed in his work so well as he used to, and he got homesick and wished himself dead. One night he dreamed that he had died, and was carried by the angels to the Eternal City. As he went along the crystal pavement of heaven, he met a man he used to know, and they went walking down the golden streets together. All at once he noticed everyone looking in the same direction, and saw One coming up who was fairer than the sons of men. It was his blessed Redeemer. As the chariot came opposite, He came forth, and beckoning the one friend, placed him in His own chariot-seat, but himself He led aside, and pointing over the battlements of heaven, "Look over yonder," He said, "What do you see?" "It seems as if I see the dark earth I have come from." "What else?" "I see men as if they were blindfolded, going over a terrible precipice into a bottomless pit." "Well," said He, "Will you remain up here, and enjoy these mansions that I have prepared, or go back to yon dark earth, and warn these men, and tell them about Me and my kingdom, and the rest that remaineth for the people of God?" That man never wished himself dead again. He yearned to live as long as ever he could, to tell men of heaven and of Christ.

As scholars, who have spent their time diligently at their books, return from the universities to their friends, and are welcomed home both of father and mother, brother and sister, every one making the greatest demonstrations of joy at their happy return: so when true Christians die, and depart out of this world, where they are at school, to return to their Father's house, God himself is the first that biddeth them welcome, and willeth them to enter into the joy of their Lord and Father. Jesus Christ is the next who leadeth them into the palace of the King: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world." Then come the angels, who carry them like Lazarus into Abraham's bosom to rejoice forever.

— Cawdray

Bunyan brings his pilgrims into the land of Boulab, which was situated near the Holy City. To those who abide here, doubt, fear, and want are unknown. Plenty abounds; the fragrant air rings with melody from morn to even; and the shining ones walk among the inhabitants. They could see the city of pearl and precious stones, whose streets were gold; and were filled with strong desire to enter there.

A pleasure-party started for an excursion off the New Hampshire coast. A short distance out, a young lady and a little boy of the party desired to be left on an island till the others returned; which was done. Fog and darkness came on before the boat returned; and the company knew not which way to go. After some hours' search for the island, the father shouted out the name of his boy. Shortly the answer came through the fog, "Come this way, father! steer straight for me! I'm waiting for you." They reached the shore; and in two short weeks the boy and the maiden were laid in the grave. The father says, "I seem to hear the voice of my cherub boy calling from the bright shore, 'Come this way, father! steer straight for me.'"

I must confess, as the experience of my own soul, that the expectation of loving my friends in heaven principally kindles my love to them on earth. If I thought I should never know them, and, consequently, never love them, after this life is ended, I should in reason number them with temporal things, and love them as such; but I now delightfully converse with my pious friends, in a firm persuasion that I shall converse with them forever; and I take comfort in those of them who are dead or absent, as believing I shall shortly meet them in heaven, and love them with a love which shall then be perfected. Baxter.