10. HEAVEN THE BEST INHERITANCE.
10. HEAVEN THE BEST INHERITANCE.
"Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is." 1 John 3:2 (NLT)
A divided sea, and a flaming Sinai, falling manna, and a friendly cloud—were wonders of old. But O what a wonder is this—that the God of glory should come down to give wings to worms of the earth to bear them to the skies! Amazing! to see insects soar above the stars, and arrive at the realms of glory! When, O when shall I also join the shining multitude that sits on Zion's hill?
But there is not one crawling insect in all the heavenly country. So, though I be a worm below, while I rise to the throne, I shall be changed into a pure being, in the assimilating beam.
Truly, O King eternal! my faith sees that the land of promise is a pleasant land, and that your presence makes heaven a desirable habitation. Let worldlings contend about earthly dust. I will not be satisfied with anything but your presence. What is a province, what is kingdom, what is an empire, what a continent, what is the whole world—compared to an inheritance in the highest heaven!
To your honor, O you King of kings! all your glorified subjects are both altogether and always kings. In your favor they are exalted, and none shall ever drive them from their state. A home in the wilderness was not desired by the tribes who were traveling to the land of promise. Nor shall I much esteem a plot of this enchanting world, who desire to be only charmed with my heavenly possession.
O pleasant country! O land of delight! where the winter is past, and eternal summer dwells! Sin dares not pass the frontiers of Immanuel's land; sorrow and sickness dare not invade the seats of bliss. Shall I hereafter inhabit the land where sin shall no more infest it?
I who have been plagued with it all my life! Shall, then, this earth, which is marked for destruction—engage my attention, or gain my esteem—when my eternal home is so very near? I have but a little way to go until I pass over Jordan, and enter into my eternal possession of Jehovah and the Lamb, where I shall enjoy all his glorious fullness, ages without end!