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THE HEAVENLY GLORY
THIS passage is supposed by some to refer to the millennial period. And it is certain that that period is elsewhere spoken of under the image of new heavens, and a new earth [Note: Isa_65:17; Isa_66:22.]. But others interpret it as relating to the eternal world; which sense accords best both with the text and context. Of the millennial era, it cannot be said that then “all tears shall be wiped away from our eyes, and that there shall be no more death;” for most distressing times will follow it; and, after it, death will proceed in its work of desolation with uninterrupted sway. Moreover, as the state of the wicked in the day of judgment is spoken of in the preceding context, it is reasonable to suppose that the state of the righteous should be mentioned also; whilst, if it be not adverted to in this passage, it is omitted altogether, notwithstanding this book of revelation was intended to make known the future destinies of the Church, as well as of the world, to all eternity. Understanding therefore the vision as relating to the eternal world [Note: Yet, as the words used by the Prophet most unquestionably relate to the millennial state, they may be so interpreted here. Perhaps the one being typical of the other, as the redemption from Babylon of our redemption by Christ, the words may be interpreted of either, as circumstances may require. Accordingly the Author has so applied them in his Discourse on Isa_65:17-18.],
I will proceed to consider,
I. The vision itself—
The Apostle saw “a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth having passed away: and, in that new creation, there was no more sea;” all storms and tempests having ceased, and all occasions for tumultuous agitations having for ever vanished.
He saw also the holy city, new Jerusalem, that is, a model of it, “coming down from God out of heaven:” and this city was in all respects fitted for the habitation of the most high God in the midst of all his redeemed people; “its foundations garnished with all manner of precious stones;” “its walls great and high,” “its gates of pearl,” “its streets of pure gold;” and “God himself and the Lamb enlightening it with their glory [Note: ver. 10–23.].” In a word, it was fully “prepared for its glorious inhabitants, as a bride adorned for her husband.”
This vision seems to have been somewhat of the same kind with that which had formerly been given to Peter, when “a great sheet, filled with all manner of living animals, descended to him from heaven [Note: Act_10:9-16.].” But together with it “he heard a great voice out of heaven,” proclaiming to him the blessedness of those who should inhabit that holy city. And this calls for our more particular attention.
We see here,
1. The source of that bliss—
[God dwelt, by a visible symbol of his presence, in his tabernacle and temple of old. He was in a peculiar manner the God of Israel; and they were in a peculiar manner his people. In his Church, and amongst his true Israel, he dwells also at this time; manifesting himself to them as he does not unto the world; and communicating to them a fulness of all spiritual blessings. And as by this glorious distinction his people of old were elevated above the heathen, so are his spiritual Israel now distinguished above all other people upon the face of the earth; possessing a knowledge of God’s will, an enjoyment of his presence, a sense of his love, and an experience of his power, which no other creature out of heaven does, or can possess.
But in heaven God displays all the full radiance of his glory. He is seen there, not in a mere symbol, like the bright cloud, nor through the dim vision of faith; but clearly, as with our bodily organs we behold the sun in the firmament. Nor are his communications there any longer partial, scanty, and occasional; but constant and full, according to the measure of every one’s capacity to receive them.
The consciousness which every one will then have of his interest in God; of the relation which he bears to him; and of the indissolubleness of that bond which has united him to God; O! what a source of joy will this be! But on a subject like this, “we only darken counsel by words without knowledge.” We have no conception of the presence of God. A new-born infant is not less capable of appreciating the sublime exercises and enjoyments of spiritual perception, than we are of comprehending the felicity of beholding God face to face.]
2. The perfection of it—
[The negative felicity of heaven comes more within the grasp of our feeble minds. We know here, by sad experience, what pain and sorrow mean: and frequent are the occasions on which tears flow down our cheeks. Death too, that king of terrors, warns us of the pains which we shall speedily endure in our conflicts with him. This whole world is little else than a vale of tears. At best it is a checquered scene, and sorrows are continually intermingled with our joys. But in heaven there will be no more pain, or sorrow, or crying: our happiness will be uninterrupted, and without alloy. Nor will there be any termination of it; for “there will be no more death.” Whatever tears bedewed our cheeks in our departing hours, they will all be wiped away by God himself; who will, from the instant of our entrance into his presence, seat us on his throne, and put a crown of pure gold upon our head, and invest us with all the glory and felicity of his kingdom. When joy and gladness have thus taken possession of our souls, not only will “sorrow and sighing flee away,” but all occasion for them, all scope for the exercise of them, will vanish for ever. O beloved, what a state will this be! Would to God we were able to speak of it as we ought! But we feel the subject far too great for our feeble grasp.]
Lest this vision should appear to exceed what will ever be realized, let me draw your attention to,
II. The confirmation of it—
“God, in giving us his covenant, confirmed it with an oath, in order that we might have the stronger consolation:” so here, he confirmed this vision to the Apostle by an audible voice, declaring that the things which he had seen,
1. Were really true—
[“Behold, I make all things new. Write; for these words are true and faithful.” God would have this vision recorded for the benefit of the Church: nor would he have any part of it doubted: for every thing which had been spoken respecting it was true, and might be fully relied on.
Now this at first sight appears to have been superfluous: but it was in reality no more than what our necessities required. When the soul is bowed down with pains and sorrows, it needs support: and there is no support equal to that which this vision affords. Our trials are but for a time: and eternity is near at hand: and the very troubles which we are called to endure, are subservient to our best interests, and conducive to the augmentation of our happiness to all eternity. Look at the saints of old, and see what supported them in all their trials. What enabled the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to leave their country and kindred, and to live as pilgrims and sojourners on the earth? “They looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God [Note: Heb_11:10.].” What enabled the martyrs of following ages to sustain their accumulated afflictions? They “looked forward to the resurrection,” when they should possess “a better and an enduring substance [Note: Heb_10:34; Heb_11:35.].” It is to that period that our blessed Lord teaches us to look, as affording us a rich compensation for all that we can now endure for his sake [Note: Mat_5:12.]. And it is the prospect of that time which reconciles all the Lord’s people to the diversified afflictions of this present life. Hence it was necessary that we should have the fullest testimony respecting the certainty and the excellency of that future state.
Know then, that state does indeed await you: know, that “light is sown for the righteous:” and “though weeping may endure for a night, joy will come in the morning.”]
2. Were in actual existence—
[The voice which attested the truth of these things, added also, “It is done.” The very glory of which the vision spake, is actually begun. Thousands and millions are already in possession of it. What a blessed thought, to those especially who have been bereaved of pious friends or relatives! They are already joined to the general assembly and Church of the first-born: their spirits are already perfect; perfect in purity, and perfect also in felicity. Think of the dying thief, when, on the very night of his crucifixion, he was received into the presence of his Lord in Paradise! We wonder not that “Paul desired to depart and to be with Christ,” accounting that infinitely better than the happiest state on earth. Nor do we wonder that he made light of every thing which stood between him and the consummation of his bliss [Note: Rom_8:18. 2Co_5:1-4.]; and longed for the dissolution of his earthly tabernacle, that he might have it reared anew in that better world [Note: It being delivered on the night of the funeral of his late Majesty George III. the audience were here led to contemplate the blessed exchange which his Majesty now experienced. And the same may be done on occasion of any one who dies in the Lord. See Rev_14:13.] — — — Let us only think how near we are to that blissful state, and nothing will be able to damp our ardour, or retard our progress, in the pursuit of it.]
Contemplate heaven, then, I entreat you: contemplate it,
1. As an object of pursuit—
[What is there in the whole universe that is worthy to be put in competition with it? O! blush that you can have your heart engaged about the vanities of time and sense, and that these eternal realities occupy so little of your attention — — —]
2. As an object of expectation—
[Can you really believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has given you a title to this blessedness, and ever be weary in the pursuit of it? The wonder is, how you can be content to live in this poor wretched world, when there is such blessedness awaiting you at your departure from it. Go and survey it from day to day: take Pisgah views of it: anticipate it: get such a sense of God’s presence with you, as shall be a foretaste of it: and be daily “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day,” when you yourself shall be privileged to say, “He hath made all things new.”]
3. As an object of actual fruition—
[Ask of “those who came out of great tribulation, and washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, and are now in the immediate presence of their God:” ask them, Whether they regret any labours or sufferings which they ever endured in their way to that bliss. Ask them too, How, with God’s help, they would live, if they were again permitted to begin their course on earth? Ask yourselves too, what thoughts you will have of your present conduct, if ever you should reach those realms of bliss? These will be profitable considerations to you: they will place all present things in their just point of view: and will aid you greatly in running the race that is set before you.]