A holier, happier, sublimer, and
more durable world than this!
more durable world than this!
(William Nicholson, 1862)
even eternal life!" 1 John 2:25
This poor world is full of sin, sorrow,
pain, and death. If we had this life only--
we would be most miserable. But the Christian
has an unfailing hope of a holier, happier,
sublimer, and more durable world than this!
This hope supports him in every
scene of earthly conflict and distress.
As the mariner tossed by
the storm and tempest--
hopes to gain the desired haven;
as the traveler fatigued by the perils
and toils of his journey--
hopes to reach his own beloved home;
as the soldier harassed by conflict
in the field of battle--
hopes to conquer and
to wear the victor's crown--
so the Christian pilgrim in the midst
of his strenuous labors--
hopes that he will . . .
successfully brave all the storms of life,
finish his course,
fight the good fight of faith, and then
lay hold on eternal life in his
FATHER'S house above!
Believers shall enjoy eternal life in Heaven as . . .
the residence of the ever blessed GOD,
HIS palace of splendor,
the habitation of HIS holiness,
the place where HIS honor dwells,
the dwelling-place of angels and perfected spirits.
1. Heaven is a place of inexpressible felicity,
as it appears from its names . . .
the paradise of GOD,
a building from GOD,
a mansion of GOD,
a heavenly city,
a better country,
a priceless inheritance,
an eternal kingdom,
an unfading crown of glory,
peace, rest, and joy of the LORD.
2. Heaven will be a life of complete purity.
Sin, in this world, is the great source
of estrangement from GOD--
it is that which constantly vexes
and distresses the soul. But in
Heaven, sin can never enter to defile,
"Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will
anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,
but only those whose names are written
in the LAMB'S book of life!" Revelation 21:27.
We shall be faultless, and like GOD! Jude 24;
Ephesians 5:26-27; 1 John 3:2; Psalm 17:15.
Ephesians 5:26-27; 1 John 3:2; Psalm 17:15.
3. Heaven will be a life of perfect happiness.
There is no perfect happiness in this poor world.
Life here is like the fluctuations of the sea, or weather--
calms and storms, sunshine and clouds.
There is no perfect happiness in this poor world.
Life here is like the fluctuations of the sea, or weather--
calms and storms, sunshine and clouds.
Sorrow is frequently the lot of GOD'S people.
Some are afflicted under the hand of GOD--
or mourning the loss of relatives or friends--
or sunk into deep adversity. Some are
weeping over the sins of others--
parents over their children, pastors
over their flocks, and Christians
over the wickedness of the world.
Some are afflicted under the hand of GOD--
or mourning the loss of relatives or friends--
or sunk into deep adversity. Some are
weeping over the sins of others--
parents over their children, pastors
over their flocks, and Christians
over the wickedness of the world.
But all the causes of evil will be
annihilated in Heaven:
annihilated in Heaven:
sin shall distress no more,
satan shall tempt no more,
sickness shall pain no more,
the tyrant shall oppress no more,
death shall bereave and destroy no more.
will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon
them, nor any scorching heat. For the LAMB
at the center of the throne will be their shepherd!
HE will lead them to springs of living water.
And GOD will wipe away every tear
from their eyes!" Revelation 7:16-17
4. Heaven will be a life of the greatest honor.
A. They will be raised to a kingdom!
has been pleased to give you the kingdom!"
Luke 12:32.
What can be received, more than a kingdom?
It is the highest dignity known on earth.
Who can be higher than a king?
B. It will be a life of honor which conquerors
obtain. Crowns of victory are in reserve!
(Isaiah 51:11c)
Here on earth, they wear a crown of thorns--
but there they will wear a diadem of glory!
It will be an incorruptible crown,
not a fading laurel, etc. 1 Corinthians 9:25.
No length of time will terminate the dominion
of the saints, or tarnish the luster of their
crowns. They shall reign forever and ever!
not a fading laurel, etc. 1 Corinthians 9:25.
No length of time will terminate the dominion
of the saints, or tarnish the luster of their
crowns. They shall reign forever and ever!
It is called a crown of righteousness,
2 Timothy 4:7. It was purchased by
the righteousness of CHRIST, and is given,
wholly for HIS sake, to HIS redeemed people.
2 Timothy 4:7. It was purchased by
the righteousness of CHRIST, and is given,
wholly for HIS sake, to HIS redeemed people.
It is a crown of life, meaning they shall
never die!
to those who love HIM!" James 1:12;
Revelation 2:10.
It is a crown of gold, Revelation 4:4, to
denote the priceless and lasting honor
to which they will be advanced, and
the superlative wealth of the kingdom
which they will possess.
denote the priceless and lasting honor
to which they will be advanced, and
the superlative wealth of the kingdom
which they will possess.
C. They shall sit upon a throne--
the throne of CHRIST!
"To him who overcomes I will grant
to sit with ME on MY throne!"
Revelation 3:21--
that lofty throne, that expansive
throne, in which HE will make room
for all HIS faithful soldiers.
the throne of CHRIST!
"To him who overcomes I will grant
to sit with ME on MY throne!"
Revelation 3:21--
that lofty throne, that expansive
throne, in which HE will make room
for all HIS faithful soldiers.
5. Heaven will be a a life of rich enjoyment.
A. Heaven is represented as a feast,
and will take their places at the feast!"
Matthew 8:11.
B. Heaven is represented as a marriage supper,
the wedding supper of the LAMB!"
Revelation 19:9.
C. Heaven is represented as a life
of enjoyment in the best society--
GOD HIMSELF, angels, and glorified saints!
of enjoyment in the best society--
GOD HIMSELF, angels, and glorified saints!
D. Heaven is represented as enjoyment
of the beatific vision of GOD, when we
shall see HIM face to face, and understand
the mysteries of creation, providence, and grace.
Then the enraptured soul will exclaim,
6. To crown all, Heaven is called eternal life.
Most of the Scriptural representations of Heaven
are combined with adjectives expressive of endless
perpetuity. Hence Heaven is called . . .
Most of the Scriptural representations of Heaven
are combined with adjectives expressive of endless
perpetuity. Hence Heaven is called . . .
the everlasting kingdom,
the incorruptible inheritance,
the exceeding and eternal weight of glory, etc., etc.
If a miser could insure his wealth for eternity,
that alone would be Heaven enough for him.
But it is his misery when he dies, that he
can carry none of his riches away with him.
But he who lays up treasure in Heaven
need not fear moth or rust, or thief--
all is eternally secure!
that alone would be Heaven enough for him.
But it is his misery when he dies, that he
can carry none of his riches away with him.
But he who lays up treasure in Heaven
need not fear moth or rust, or thief--
all is eternally secure!
~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published William Nicholson's superb short article,
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