JJeaven
\Py E. P. Marvin
P ERHAPS more poetical fan- cies and visionary vagaries have been indulged concern- ing Heaven, than about any other matter of divine Reve- lation. It is a mistake to think that heaven is so different in its dwelling place and experiences that we can now know but little about it. The text quoted "Eye hath not seen," &c. 1 .Cor. 2:9, should be explained by the next verse; "But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit." The heaven-born soul has knowl- edge and experiences here much like those hereafter, only less perfect and comprehensive. Heaven in a sense en- ters us here. Heaven is a place and not merely a dreamy state of ecstacy. This place is not some distant star, like Alcyone, as certain philosophers have dreamed, but this material earth, redeemed like the soul and body, and regenerated. David in the 37th Psalm tells us this seven times. Ps. 37:9\ Christ declares it in a Beatitude, Matt. 5:6. Paul, Peter and John teach the same Earth and man are joined in both ruin and redemption. Earth was the old Homestead, lost by the first Adam, and redeemed by the last Adam. This is a monumental and an immor- tal earth, not to be burnt over and left a sightless cinder, not to be annihilated but glorified, the fairest, brightest world in all the universe. It will be trans- formed into Redemption's Star, having no need of the sun and no night, but mantled with the perpetual glory of God. The diamond that blazes Í from the brow of the queen, is only "glorified charcoal," and with similar divine power will this old earth become the masterpiece of that great being who in the beginning laid deep the foundations of the universe, reared its high pillars and poised its - resplendent dome. No existing world is good enough for these redeemed children of his eternal love. It is called "A better Country," freed from the ills of this, and abounding in beauty, fertility and healthfulness. All that is comprehended in "the Curse," is removed.
It will be the eternal Kingdom of God, a perfect paternal government, in contrast with the misrule, oppression and anarchy of these "times of the Gen- tiles." It will be the first kindom that cannot be moved. Heb. 12:28. God will build and send down its wonderful Capital City, constructed of all manner of precious stones, gold and pearls. Rev. 21:1-2. Paul beautifully says that the old Patriarchs looked for this city, and that God was not ashamed of them or he would not have prepared such a city for them. Heb. 11:16. Cicero, exiled, could not look toward the imperial City of Rome, except through tear-lensed eyes. So we, in anticipation of our bridal city, sing, Here the soldier enjoys victory, the pilgrim rests. The wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. Here we receive our glorified bodies, of refined material, instinct with the spirit, and clothed with the bloom and beauty of immortal youth. Here we fade as a leaf; there we blos- som like the rose, and as the spirit de- velops and shines through its wonderful transparency, the oldest saint is the youngest. The Holy Ghost watches over His dis- mantled temple in the marble planted yard, and on "that fair morn of morns," when the Lord comes He will rebuild and glorify it. Rom. 8:11. Thus God gives us back our youth, by no elixir of life invented by man, but by his own divine goodness and power. We have some analogies or symbols of this in nature. "Shall life revisit dying worms, And spread the joyful insect's wing; And man, O God, no more return, To see thy face, thy name to sing?" Our clothing will be effulgent light, proceeding from the body like the plu- mage of a bird. Rev. 7:13, 14. Toil, tears, sickness, death and all ills are no more. We have seen features of this heavenly glory in Rev. 22:3-5. Heaven will be the home of God's wonderful and eternal family. Every Christian home here should be a minia- ture of that, a heaven for beginners. Hearts should be pure in love and sure of each other. "For very love beholding Thy happy name we weep."
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