The God-Man 69 “to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne” (Rev. 3:21). The manner in which the Lord spake of Himself in connection with the heavenly state bore much fruit in the hearts and sentiments of His dis- ciples. To them this life was being “absent from the Lord” as to His visible presence: and their one beautiful idea of heaven was that it was being “present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:6, 8). He had taught them to regard Him as their “all in all,” even in their eternal state; and with unquestioning faith they cherished the one blessed hope of being forever with the Lord. All other ideas of the celestial world were lost sight of in comparison with this absorbing anticipation. The very mansions which they were to occupy in the Eternal Father’s house, Jesus said, He would assign to them (John 14:2). He asserted His right to give away the crowns and glories of immortal blessedness as if they were His by indis- putable right. He wills it, and it is done. He constantly re- minded His disciples of rewards which He would give to every servant whom, at His coming, He found to be faithful. (Com- pare Matt. 24:44 with 45, 46, 47; 25:14-46, etc.) I t is true Jesus will give these honors only to those for whom they are prepared by His Father; for, in their designs of mercy, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. Still He will, of right, dispense the blessing to all who receive it. For these were our Lord’s true words: “To sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but [or, except] it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father” (Matt. 20:23). The language logically implies our Lord’s absolute right to give the crowns; but only to such as are ap- pointed to these honors by the Father. These ideas are repeated in vision to John. Jesus gives “right to the tree of life” (Rev. 2:7). In the praises of the redeemed host, as described in that marvelous Apocalypse, they ever ascribe their salvation and glory to Jesus, and the sinless
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