He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Rev 2:7 God's Promises to the Overcomer Many sermons and commentaries have been written concerning this verse, it's a very important one given to us by Jesus, if as he says, we have ears to hear. In this post I'll center in on the overcomer. Who would Jesus be speaking of in this verse, and who can be described as an overcomer, who will be fit to be able to eat of the tree of life in paradise? For the answer we need to find what the word of God tells us. Let's take a look. 1John describes those who are the redeemed, those who overcome the world: 1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? See also- 1Co_15:57; Rev_2:7, Rev_2:11, Rev_2:17, Rev_2:26; Rev_3:5, Rev_3:12, Rev_3:21, Rev_12:11, Rev_15:2 Here we have it revealed to us by John- Whatsoever is born of God. All who are born again, and have the new life, overcome the world, in the sense that they do not love it and obey its dictates. This is the victory. The source of victorious power. As faith gains in strength the world loses its power. Who is he that overcometh? Only the men and women of faith; those who believe upon Jesus Christ. Take note of what is not mentioned in these verses: No mention of our wealth No mention of any reputation from men No mention of our works No mention of anything the world would call greatness No pretense to have obtained a victory over the world, except he who believes in the Savior. Anything else would be gained only by worldly expectations and promotions. Paul expands on Johns words on overcoming by adding his proclamation in Romans ch. 8: Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Just before going to the cross, Jesus spent his last night with his disciples, and gave them support, encouragement, warnings of things to come, and promises that they could stand on, that would help them as they continued on without him, after his death on the cross and resurrection. He emphasized to them, that as he had overcome, they must also: Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Following in His Steps Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. FOLLOWING HIS EXAMPLE OF SELF-SURRENDER
Inspiration From Believer's Before Us Below are quotes and excerpts of commentaries on this verse He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Rev 2:7 "The Christian victor shall eat of fruit that grows in the paradise of God; the overcomer shall enjoy a Divinely sustained and everlasting life. While the life eternal in its beginnings is a present possession of the believer in Jesus, yet in its glorious fulness, or what Jesus calls its abundance, it shall be also the future reward of him that overcometh. What we are sure of is that body, soul, and spirit shall all share in the perfectness of the redemption; and that the perfected and triumphant life of love shall have suitable nourishment, Divinely provided and supplied, in the fruit of the tree of life. The very mystery of the promise enkindles desire, and gives intensity to the prayer, "Even so come, Lord Jesus."
(J. Culross, Thy First Love, p. 103) "In the first glimpse of the Garden that is given us in the Book of Beginnings we are shown a picture of the ideal home of innocence, of the soul of the untried child of humanity. But there falls a shadow upon the picture as we note the entrance of sin, which results in the loss of innocence and the expulsion from the Garden and the unsheathing of the flaming sword to guard the sacred Tree of Life. But there is given us another picture of the Garden in that other Book of Beginnings, the revelation that was given to John of the new heaven and the new earth. Beautiful is the Garden now as when it first sprang fresh from its Maker’s hand. The gates are open to the four quarters of the wilderness. The flaming sword is in its sheath, and One like unto a Son of Man, clad in white robes and wearing a crown of victory, stands to welcome the returning exiles. As they come, they come by way of a Cross in the wilderness and along the banks of a glorious river, whose source they find to be in the Garden, where it waters the Tree of Life, of which they may now freely eat. One Garden is lost to us—we may not go back to Eden. But there is another Garden we may gain—it is ours to go forward, and the way of the Cross will lead us to its gates." [Note: J. B. Maclean, The Secret of the Stream, 138.] "Why should a Divinely sustained and everlasting life be promised as the reward of victory, seeing it is the present possession of all believers? For thus runs the testimony of Scripture: “He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life”—hath this life already; it is already kindled and shrined in his breast. “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life.” Not only is all this true, but it is pre-supposed in the promise given in the text to the overcomer. For it is to be borne in mind that the earnest, enjoyed in this life, is of the same nature as the future felicity and glory. While the life eternal in its beginnings is a present possession of the believer in Jesus, yet in its glorious fulness, or what Jesus calls its “abundance,” it shall be also the future reward of him that overcometh. Hence St. Paul writes to Timothy, “Lay hold on eternal life”; and the Apostle John says, “This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” It will not meet us where the shadows fall Beside the sea that bounds the Evening Land; It will not greet us with its first clear call When Death has borne us to the farther strand. It is not something yet to be revealed-- The everlasting life—’tis here and now; Passing unseen because our eyes are sealed With blindness for the pride upon our brow. It calls us ’mid the traffic of the street, And calls in vain, because our ears are lent To these poor babblements of praise that cheat The soul of heaven’s truth, with earth’s content. It dwells not in innumerable years; It is the breath of God in timeless things-- The strong, divine persistence that inheres In love’s red pulses and in faith’s white wings. It is the power whereby low lives aspire Unto the doing of a selfless deed, Unto the slaying of a soft desire, In service of the high, unworldly creed. It is the treasure that is ours to hold Secure, while all things else are turned to dust; That priceless and imperishable gold Beyond the scathe of robber and of rust. It is a clarion when the sun is high, The touch of greatness in the toil for bread, The nameless comfort of the Western sky, The healing silence where we lay our dead. And if we feel it not amid our strife, In all our toiling and in all our pain-- This rhythmic pulsing of immortal life-- Then do we work and suffer here in vain. Note: P. C. Ainsworth, (Poems and Sonnets) "But the question is, “Can we overcome?” Is it to be assumed the victory is easy? Is it easy to overcome the obstacles, the difficulties of life, to overcome the temptations in our own nature and in the world around us, to overcome ourselves and stand supreme over that lower self which is of the earth earthy? Is it possible to overcome? The prize is beautiful. The promise is a vision. But is it possible? We can overcome if there is an adequate power behind, and that adequate power is there—Christ, who is the reward of overcoming. It all turns upon that. The power by which we can overcome cannot be said to be ours. It would be a contradiction in terms to say it is. We have to overcome ourselves. What is the power to overcome the self? It must be another. It is Christ. “This is the victory that overcometh the world.” “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He can enable every one to overcome. The victor can conquer only in one way. If we trust in Christ we shall get His power into our hearts, and if we get His power into our hearts, then “we shall be more than conquerors through him that loved us.” The power of sin is great, but His power is much greater. Temptation is dazzling and sometimes seductive; but He can give us the victory. Actual sin is overcome by an actual Saviour. I saw some time ago a beautiful remark. Among the Irish labourers who come over every year to the harvest in England was one who was accustomed to come to the same place year after year. He was of a sullen, moody nature, but one year he came completely changed—bright, joyful, ready to help, encouraging every one. They asked him what the cause was, and they twitted him, and made humorous suggestions about the change that had come over him. At last he turned to them all and said: “You are quite right about the change, but you are wrong about the cause. The truth is, I found the greatest friend in the world, Jesus, and my heart is just full of joy.” That was his answer. I cannot see how it could be better or truer. When you have found Jesus, you may be sad in a sense, and sick and weary in a sense, but your heart is full of joy. He has given you “to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” [Note: Ibid.] "Let Christ Himself be our example, whose whole life on earth was a warfare with the powers of evil; who found its crises and its agonies in the hours when He was alone with the Father; “who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears … was heard for his godly fear.” Let us follow Him, who was tempted in all things like as we are, till by feeling our fellowship with Him in agony and the awful difficulty of doing the Father’s will, we shall also share His faith that we have this conflict to endure just because we can bear it, just because of our freedom, and just in order to realize that we are alive. “As I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.” Our Lord Jesus conquered all opposed to Him. In their presence He never fainted, He never failed, He never suffered defeat. Calm, confident victory rests upon every page of the sacred story. As one reads the narrative of conquest, one is amazed at the prolific and abundant spiritual energy which everywhere confronts the powers of ill. Our Lord overcame the world; He never bowed to the enticements or the glitter; they would make Him a king of the worldly order, but He rejected the allurement and went away to pray. He overcame the flesh; His life is characterized by order and beauty; on the one hand there was no harsh asceticism, and on the other hand there was no unseemly excess. He overcame the devil; they met again and again; “the prince of this world cometh”; he was ever coming, but he came to no purpose, and he achieved no triumph. Our Lord was always victor over the antagonists which stand in our path to-day. There is, perhaps, no one term whose significance is less truly understood than that of overcoming. When Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world,” there was something meant quite different from its commonly received interpretation. Many persons have translated it to imply that in this world—this present life—tribulation is the appointed lot of man; but that death will end this, and by that event we “overcome the world”—that is, enter into joy and peace as inevitable conditions of the life beyond. But is there not undoubtedly a far deeper and nobler meaning than this? The “world” does not refer merely to life on this planet—the threescore years and ten allotted to man in this present state of existence—but rather it has reference to a condition. By “the world” is meant all that materiality which must be overcome before one can enter into that state of mind which is the kingdom of heaven, and which may be the condition of life here just as surely as hereafter. We overcome only as we rise to the spiritual plane. “Be of good cheer,” said Jesus: “I have overcome the world.” Where He has gone we may follow. If He overcame the world, so may we. It is not easy; it is possible. Not being easy to achieve, it is, when once attained, a condition so easy that it preserves itself and progresses by its own momentum. One who is succeeding in living to any perceptible degree the spiritual life rather than the material, realizes for himself the profound truth in the assertion of the Christ, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. There is in it the peace which indeed passeth all understanding, and the joy that the world can neither give nor take away. Believe and love—all the duties of the world and all the privileges of heaven are condensed in those three words. Believe and love. Not only trust, but know, believe. Hold fast to the conviction that the forces of life are Divine. Come into harmony with them, and thus live above the plane on which discord is possible, thus overcome the world." [Note: Lilian Whiting, The World Beautiful, 161.] He that hath an ear, let him hear - Every man, whoever can hear at all, ought carefully to hear this. What the Spirit saith - In these great and precious promises. To the churches - And in them to every one that overcometh; that goeth on from faith and by faith to full victory over the world, and the flesh, and the devil. In these seven letters twelve promises are contained, which are an extract of all the promises of God. Some of them are not expressly mentioned again in this book, as "the hidden manna," the inscription of "the name of the new Jerusalem," the "sitting upon the throne." Some resemble what is afterwards mentioned, as "the hidden name," Rev 19:12; "the ruling the nations," Rev 19:15; "the morning star," Rev 22:16. And some are expressly mentioned, as "the tree of life," Rev 22:2; freedom from "the second death," Rev 20:6; the name in "the book of life," Rev 20:12; Rev 21:27; the remaining "in the temple of God," Rev 7:15; the inscription of "the name of God and of the Lamb," Rev 14:1; Rev 22:4. In these promises sometimes the enjoyment of the highest goods, sometimes deliverance from the greatest evils, is mentioned. And each implies the other, so that where either part is expressed, the whole is to be understood. That part is expressed which has most resemblance to the virtues or works of him that was spoken to in the letter preceding. To eat of the tree of life - The first thing promised in these letters is the last and highest in the accomplishment, Rev 22:2, Rev 22:14, Rev 22:19. The tree of life and the water of life go together, Rev 22:1-2; both implying the living with God eternally. In the paradise of my God - The word paradise means a garden of pleasure. In the earthly paradise there was one tree of life: there are no other trees in the paradise of God. Rev_22:2, Rev_22:14 (John Wesley) Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Mat 22:28 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Mat 22:29-32 THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THE RESURRECTION The Sadducees professed themselves to be bound by the Pentateuch, and to have searched in vain for evidences of a life beyond. They were greatly startled, therefore, when our Lord proved human immortality from the book of Exodus. He had never passed through their schools and sat at the feet of their great teachers, but He showed them that “at the Bush” the voice of God attested eternal life. The great I AM would never have spoken of Himself as the God of the patriarchs, centuries after their earthly career had closed, unless they had been living somewhere still. It was certain that they were all alive; otherwise God would have said, “I was their God.” Death is not a chamber, but a passage; not an abiding-place, but a crossing over; not a state, but an act, an experience, a crossing of the bar, a going within the veil. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the myriads who have warred and stormed over the earth, are living as intensely as ever. F.B. Meyer (See also Luke 20:33-38) There Is No God of the Dead He is not a God of the dead, or, there is no God of the dead - That is, the term God implies such a relation, as cannot possibly subsist between him and the dead; who in the Sadducees' sense are extinguished spirits; who could neither worship him, nor receive good from him. So that all live to him - All who have him for their God, live to and enjoy him. This sentence is not an argument for what went before; but the proposition which was to be proved. And the consequence is apparently just. For as all the faithful are the children of Abraham, and the Divine promise of being a God to him and his seed is entailed upon them, it implies their continued existence and happiness in a future state as much as Abraham's. And as the body is an essential part of man, it implies both his resurrection and theirs; and so overthrows the entire scheme of the Sadducees doctrine. John Wesley The Sadducees Silenced I. GIVE SOME ACCOUNT OF THE SADDUCEES:—A small number of men of rank and affluence, who had shaken off such opinions and practices as they deemed a restraint upon their pleasures. They acknowledged the truth of the Pentateuch, but rejected the tradition of the elders. They also denied a future state, and believed that the soul dies with the body.
II. CONSIDER THE ARGUMENT OF THE SADDUCEES.--the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they came to him, tempting him with a question they were sure he had no answer for. III. CONSIDER HOW JESUS CHRIST ACTED ON THIS OCCASION.--His answer instantly answered the question of this world, and the world to come-"And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: " 1. He removed the difficulty which had puzzled the Sadducees. They had not studied the Scriptures with sufficient attention, and a sincere desire of understanding their meaning. If they had done so, they could not have doubted of a future state. If, again, they had reflected on the power of God, they would have concluded that what might appear difficult or impossible to man, is possible and of easy accomplishment with God. He then explained the difficulty. It is to be observed, however, that He speaks only of the righteous. On this subject our Saviour reveals two important truths,—First, that the righteous never die; and, secondly, that they become like the angels. 2. Our Saviour, then, having removed the difficulty which had embarrassed the Sadducees, and having at the same time communicated new and important information concerning the world of spirits, next proceeded to prove from Scripture the certainty of a future state. He argued from a passage in the Book of Exodus, where God is represented as speaking from the burning bush to Moses, and saying, “ I am the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob” (Exo_3:6). It is here particularly to be observed, that the force of our Saviour’s argument rests upon the words, I am the God. Had the words been I was the God, the argument would be destroyed. IV. ATTEND TO THE INFERENCES WHICH WE MAY JUSTLY DRAW FROM THIS SUBJECT. 1. A difficulty arising from our ignorance is not sufficient to disprove or weaken direct or positive evidence. 2. Although a future state is not clearly revealed in the Books of Moses, yet it is presupposed, for the passage here selected can be explained only on the assurance that there is such a state. 3. From our Saviour’s declaration here, we also obtain the important information, that the righteous, after their removal from this world by death, do not sink into a state of sleep or insensibility; for the passage which He quotes implies that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, after death, remained alive, and still continued to acknowledge and serve God; for all these things are included in what our Saviour says. Now, the inference we draw is, that what is true respecting the patriarchs we may safely extend to all good men, that they are all in a similar situation. 4. While informed by our Saviour, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, that immediately after death angels are employed to conduct the spirits of the righteous to paradise, we are also assured here by the same authority, that they shall be made like to the angels. When to these we add the passage quoted above, from the Epistle to the Hebrews, respecting the office of angels, it appears necessarily to follow that the righteous shall be elevated in rank and situation; for they shall associate with celestial beings, and consequently will receive all the benefits which can arise from society so pure and exalted. Nor can we help believing that while thus mingled with angels they will be engaged in similar duties and employments. (J. Thompson, D. D.) And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. Rev 21:25 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Rev 22:5 The Land of No Night These passages have a myriad of aspects that could be brought out; this devotion will go into a few. At the close of this age, which is coming soon-Rev 21:25 speaks of the gates being opened, and will never be shut. What this implies for us is: First, that the city has no fear of any foes. These have all been conquered and subdued. The struggles have been ended forever and no enemies remain to invade. In the second place, that "the nations of the saved" can always enter. There is always admittance freely to those "who have the right to enter in through the gate into the city." All nations are represented as contributing to increase its glory, as the nations pay tribute to an earthly capital. Nothing sinful or unclean shall ever enter, "neither whatever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they that are written in the Lamb's book of life. Night is the symbol of sin. The time which God has ordained for rest, man has appropriated to crime. All classes of the depraved and lawless look upon the night as their chosen patron and protector. “The way of the wicked is as darkness.” “Men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.” When, therefore, we read of heaven as being without night, the expression evidently implies that beyond those eternal gaits, no impurity can ever be admitted. “There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, but they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Night is the symbol of danger. The hours that darkness broods over the earth also harbors insecurity. It is then that the robber, the housebreaker, the incendiary, and the whole tribe of predators on property and life, steal from their lurking places, and roam the streets in their work of mischief. It's at night that perils easily avoided in the day, deepen and multiply. The exclusion of night from heaven may, therefore, be interpreted as a pledge that, in that secure abode, no adversary shall assail us, and no possibility of evil ever menace our peace. The seductions of the world, and the treachery of our own hearts, will not follow us there, nor can Satan cross “the great gulf fixed” between hell and heaven to vex us with his assaults. Night is the symbol of ignorance. The bible often describes the depravity of the wicked-walking in intellectual and moral blindness, under the bondage of sin and blindness. Job, describing the errors and foolishness of the ungodly wisdom says, “They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noonday as in the night.” And the fearful ignorance of God and of truth, which overspread the world at the period of the Redeemer’s birth is described in graphic terms: “Darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people.” These passages give the dark picture of the gloom of the earth, wrapped in the depths of sin, and wickedness; how far man fell, when Adam and Eve rebelled in the garden, and the consequences of it, for all mankind. The open relationship between God and Adam now severed-brought him low, in many ways. Once he had open communication with God, all knowledge was available, all he had to do was ask. God had brought all the animals to Adam, and he named them-think of this fact. Now, having disobeyed the one thing God told them not to do, eating the fruit of the forbidden tree-that open relationship was severed. Now, their knowledge and understanding was darkened by sin, and brought distortion and limits to our knowledge, and ability to understand creation, and truth. Now, our perception is obscure and uncertain, and our researches marred, to this day, because of their one act of rebellion. Now, barriers of gloom and mystery meet us on whatever side we attempt to push our investigations. But in heaven there will be no intellectual night. All the errors that now shade and darken our minds—all the obstacles that here impede and limit our acquisitions-shall there be forever removed. The faculties of the soul which, amid the fogs and illusions of sense, are so restricted in their range, and so distorted in their vision, will, in that radiant world of eternal light, expand and be renewed into the first form of Adam, before he fell into sin-and be restored to all that God intended us to be, without sin. Immortal strength, limitless intelligence, perfect perception, and creative vision. Under the beams of eternal day; and in that never-changing realm of eternal life, receive a new impulse, and a right direction. Night is suggestive of sorrow. This is the inevitable lot of the good on earth. But “there shall be no night” of sorrow “there!” No tears shall be shed, no hopes shall be frustrated, no disappointments felt, no friends removed, no graves opened. Night, as we have seen, is associated with deeds of darkness. Night is associated with weariness and fatigue. To declare, therefore, of the heavenly world that there shall be no night there, is to declare that weariness and fatigue shall be unknown. One of the most difficult questions is, what will we really be like in our glorified bodies. And, night is associated with obscurity, questions, that remain unclear. Mystery surrounds us on every hand. Questions are continually arising to which we can have no complete answer. All of our studying, and researching, as good as it may be, is flawed, and imperfect. There, in that eternal day-we will know, as we are known. What Will Be the Benefits? Living in this world of decay and rust, we cannot imagine what heaven will really be like. Our minds try to create images, and the creation we live in give us glimpses-but it's marred by the affects of sin. Beyond the gates of heaven, there is nothing imperfect there. And, the darkness of night will never be there, in that realm of eternal day.
I. The absence of night in the glorified church implies that there will be no sin there. II. The absence of night implies there shall be no ignorance there III. The absence of night implies there shall be no weariness there. Here God’s people are wearied with labors. This is added because we are always reminded by the decay around us-what we work for here, is not going to last forever-it will either go to someone else at our death, or it will rust or rot. IV. The absence of night implies that there shall be no change there. V. The absence of night implies that there shall be no death there. It will be a realm of unlimited beauty and progress 1. All natural beauties will be there. 2. All artistic beauties will be there. The very instinct of genius is to invent, imitate, and create, and there genius will flourish in perfection. 3. All moral beauties will be there. The beauty of holiness, the beauty of the Lord, will adorn every spirit. There will be no jealousies, contentions, envying or competition there. People will gladly, and freely rejoice in each other, and all will be happy in what the Lord has prepared for each one, and be willing to share in each other's abilities, and work with joy in the capacities that God has prepared us for. It will be a realm of unchecked progress. 1. No check to the advance of life. The vital energies will always be increasing. Sinew and soul, character and conscience, will be ever growing in force. No blight or disease to wither, no shadow to chill there. But all the influences that exist there, inspire, invigorate, and uplift. 2. No checking of labour. Our range of action will be unrestrained. We shall be always abounding in the work of the Lord. In this world of decay and sin, our work only profits for a short term. In that realm it will be eternal, with endless purpose, never to rust, or come to ruin. The work we will be employed in will be companied with a joyous spirit, glorious music to gladden the heart, and nothing to disturb the happiness and peace of God's saints. This is the heritage of God's people, in a world where there is no night. Lorna Couillard And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Rev 21: 9-10 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Rev. 21: 27 There's coming a day when God will take over the control of this world, and expel the devil and his fallen angels. I believe we are very close to that day coming. The Bible gives many descriptions of what the New Jerusalem, the Holy City will look like, and what will be there, and what won't be there. This post will center on Rev. 21:27, and unpack this verse and open up what this verse holds for us, and our future-if we are one of the Lord's people. The barrier There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth. Into heaven shall enter nothing that defileth. Every one, and everything whatsoever that is tainted with any impurity shall be utterly excluded. Not merely that eventually heaven will be cleared of such blemishes, but such shall never enter there. Absolute truthfulness and perfect purity, without any admixture of defilement at all, these are what God requires in all who cross the threshold of His home above. Better to be blind to the glory altogether than to gaze longingly upon it, if we must also gaze with despair on the forbidding regulation that those defiled, as we are, shall in no wise enter. The word of exclusion working within the soul—within my soul, within yours. No person who defiles, no fallen spirit, or sinful man can enter. And as no person, so no tendency, leaning, inclination, or will to sin can gain admission. No wish, no desire, no hunger towards that which is unclean shall ever be found in the perfect city of God. Nor even a thought of evil can be conceived there, much less a sinful act performed. Nothing shall ever be done within those gates of pearl contrary to the perfect law, nor anything imagined in opposition to spotless holiness. Consider such purity, and wonder at it. It is altogether perfect! And, mark well, that no untruth can enter—“neither whatsoever maketh a lie.” Nothing can enter heaven which is not real; nothing erroneous, mistaken, conceited, hollow, professional, pretentious, unsubstantial, can be smuggled through the gates. Only truth can dwell with the God of truth. Bethink you that not only does actual sin shut men out of heaven, but this text goes to the heart by reminding us that we have within us inbred sin, which would defile us speedily, even if we were now clean of positive transgression. How can you and I enter heaven while there is unholy anger in us? There shall in no wise enter into heaven a hasty temper, or a quick imperious spirit, or a malicious mind; for these defile. But then look at the other part of the difficulty—that is, the making of your own heart pure and clean. How shall this be done? Have you tried to master your temper? I hope you have. Have you managed it? Your tendencies this way or that, you have striven against them, I hope, but have you mastered them? I cannot overcome myself, nor overcome my sin. I will never cease from the task, God helping me, but apart from the Divine Spirit the task is as impossible as to make a world. The Victory-Christ Our Redeemer He sits upon the throne of God, there, too, our dwelling-place shall be. The transgressor may be sunk in the guiltiest pollution; but if in his distress he casts his sinful soul into the forgiving arms of the Redeemer, he shall surely be forgiven. Out of his great tribulation he shall come, and wash his robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb, and therefore he, too, once defiled, and banished, and despairing, shall be found before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. "The word of salvation, which just meets the difficulty raised by the sentence—“There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth.” But, first, my past sin, what of that? “Washed in the blood of the Lamb!” This is our first great comfort, “He that believeth in Him is not condemned.” But here is the point, there is still no entrance into the holy city so long as there are any evil tendencies within us. This is the work, this is the difficulty, and since these are to be overcome, how is the work to be done? Simple believing upon Christ brings you justification, but you want more than that; you need sanctification, the purgation of your nature. Faith in Christ tells us of something else beside the blood. There is a Divine Person—let us bow our heads and worship Him—the Holy Ghost who proceedeth from the Father, and He it is Who renews us in the spirit of our minds." (C. H. Spurgeon.) Those who may Enter “Only they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” I. The register. The Infinite One must know everything—what it is, where it is; its nature, character, and uses. But it is not said that there is an indiscriminate register for all, but simply for the holy and true. Not for the wicked. Are you enrolled in that book among the saints? If in Christ, you are, you must be—no one can keep you out of it. If not in Christ, you must be out of it, and no one can put you in. II. The registrar. “The Lamb’s book.” The Book of Life must be the most difficult to keep. What wisdom—discrimination and justice are required! The combined intelligence of heaven and earth could not keep it; even archangels would make mistakes, but the “Lamb” cannot. Think of His high qualifications. His wisdom is perfect, His omniscience unfailing, His justice unsullied, and His love deep and eternal. III. The registered. To be in that book is to be safe. To be there is to have heaven for an eternal possession. To be there, is to be among the highest and the best. What honour can be comparable with this? (Biblical Illustrator) The Citizens of the City The New Jerusalem, as seen in the vision of the Book of Revelation, is a city differing in many respects from cities in the modern world. There is no night there, no curse, no temple. It is to be, not, as are many modern cities, for the troubling of the nation, but for its healing. It is to be the source of light and health and glory to all mankind. There is no relapse into heathenism or barbarism, no dark ages yet to come. The new city has an eternal day. The light of God’s Presence never wavers. The translucent buildings and walls transmit all the light of life that is concentrated in her to the nations and peoples without. Her gates are ever open—everything that is of value, every talent, every power, every gift in the sum of human perfections is concentrated here to the Divine service. All the nations offer their glory and honour, not as captives robbed of their freedom, and despoiled of their treasures in a Roman triumph, but as free and loving subjects, as those who hate falsehood and immorality, and order their conduct in obedience to the laws that bind the citizens of the kingdom of the Lamb.
Heaven Bound This page contains scripture verses, poems, commentary, and inspiration on our eternal destination if we are among those who belong to Jesus Christ-and desire to be home with Him, where He is-in heaven. This information, and material is offered freely under terms of Fair Use, according to the United States Fair Use Act of 1976, subsection 107, for research, comment, news, reporting, scholarship, and educational purposes. This website is not monetized and no profit is made from posting this information. Betwixt the Two For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Php 1:23 Our “manner of life” is all-important. In the open day and in the hours of darkness it must be worthy of the gospel. We must show ourselves to be of a heavenly tone and temper, as citizens of that “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Lady Powerscourt used to say that she dwelt in heaven, but came down for a few hours each day to do her work on earth, returning home at night. Clearly, then, our dress, accent, and behavior should betray us as strangers and pilgrims who can well endure the discomfort of the inn or the troublous experiences of the place of our sojourn. Notice that remarkable expression, For unto you if is given in the behalf of Christ… to suffer, Php_1:29. This is an added honor conferred on us by our Lord. The King gives us the opportunity of lying in the stocks with Him, of standing at the same pillory, and of being crucified on the same Calvary. But those who have drunk of His cup shall share His throne. When earth and heaven shall pass away, His fellow-sufferers shall be His chosen body-guard and attendants in a world where all shall love and honor Him. F. B. Meyer What is Our Purpose We are all placed here in God’s world, endowed with various powers and different talents; here we are to remain for some few years, and then all to pass away. Fifty years—what is it in the history of the world? and yet in even fifty years how many of us will still remain in this life? The question then forces itself upon us as reasonable creatures, What are we put here for, and why should we desire to remain? The answer is simple: We are placed here to work out our own salvation and for the benefit each of the other. It need not distress any one to find that Paul’s language is out of his reach; he had much better honestly confess that it is so, than pretend that it is not; but if a man desire this life, at least let him desire it for some good end. Let him take a deep, sober view of his mission in the world, for every one is sent for an important end; every one of us has his work and his Master, who will demand an account of it. We are all successors of Paul in this respect, and that which formed to him the principal chain of life ought to occupy a similar position in our minds to that which it did in his. Longing to Leave Why should departure out of this life be an object of desire to a Christian? Let's break this down, and see what we can learn. First, because it is a full release from this evil world. There is something very expressive in the word we here render by "depart." It means the being set free after the breaking up of some long restraint, or the unyoking of the oxen wearied with the plough, or the weighing again of our anchors for a homeward voyage. On every side its associations are full of peace and rest. To be free forever from the petty rivalries, the fruitless pleasures, the waste of power, the frivolous talk, the world of frenzy; people striving to obtain, only to lose it through time and circumstances-no one is exempt. All come to the same fate, but blindness keeps them from seeing their common future; pride drives them on. Meaningless envy, covetousness, competition; never-ending consuming, but always dissatisfied. Living side by side with those in this cycle of materialistic madness, and finally facing the certainty of their own death. This is the hopelessness of those without Christ. For the saint-death is freedom from all of this. What can better express the passage of Christ’s servants from this tumultuous and weary world? So long as we are in this warfare, we must be open to the shafts of evil, and who would not desire a shelter where no arrows can reach us any more? What must be the peace of having put off this mystery of probation, when the struggle and the strife shall be over, and breathless, panting hope, dashed by ten thousand fears, shall be changed into a certainty of peace, into a foretaste of our crown! This one thought alone is enough to make death blessed. Well may evangelists say, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly," and souls already martyred, like Paul, desire to depart. Even to us it may be permitted to feel our hearts beat thick with hopeful and longing fear when we wait for the voice that shall say to the least of penitents, "Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away, for lo! the winter is past; the rain is over and gone." Come to Me from Lebanon; look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, unto the everlasting hills and to the eternal years. Paul longed for the spiritual body, raised in power and incorruption at the day of Christ, and meanwhile for that personal perfection in measure and foretaste which is prepared for those who die in the Lord and await His coming. Surely of all earthly sorrows sin is the sharpest. The heaviest of all burdens is the bondage of a will which makes God’s service a weary task, and our homage of love a cold observance. This is the longing for the saint, to be at last free forever from the wickedness and warfare of Satanic attacks of evil forces, and evil men. To share in the glory, and power of the Risen Christ, and to be with Him forever. To be united forever to the new creation of God. What is this new creation but the new heavens and the new earth, in which are gathered the whole order and lineage of the second Adam, all saints, from Abel the just, of all ages and times, in the twilight and the dayspring, in the morning and the noontide of grace, all made perfect, whether on earth or in rest, by the omnipotence of love? This is our true home, where all our reason, all our desires, all our sympathies, and all our love have their perfect sphere and their full repose. To be with Christ. This is the true foundation of heavenly joy. To be with Him; to see His face; to follow Him whithersoever He goeth; to be conscious of His eye; to hear, it may be, His words of love; to see the gathered fruit of His Passion in the glory of His elect. But for this, how blessed to go to dwell with Him for ever! The Reunion "Come, let us join our friends above, Who have obtained the prize, And on the eagle-wings of love To joys celestial rise! "Let all the saints terrestrial sing, With those to glory gone; For all the servants of our King, In earth and heaven, are one. "The saints on earth, and those above, But one communion make; Joined to the Lord in bonds of love, All of His grace partake. "One family we dwell in Him; One Church above, beneath; Though now divided by the stream, —The narrow stream of death. "One army of the living God, To His command we bow: Part of His host have crossed the flood, And part are crossing now. " Our spirits too shall quickly join, Like theirs with glory crowned; And shout to see our Captain's Sign, To hear His trumpet sound." Anonymous Beyond the Sunset https://youtu.be/KE5A7HcnLII Note: When I posted this, I already knew there would be no shortage of those who would either not understand the heart of this post, nor agree with it publicly-even if they did silently. Competition in ministry today is one of the worst evils of these end days. The prosperity evangelists and teachers won't teach or preach a message such as this, because it doesn't help them in filling their pockets with money, nor does it give them the recognition and attention they crave.
Many ministers, preachers and pastors of 100-200 years ago gave sermons like this on a regular basis, because scripture and a personal relationship with Christ was at the core of their service to God, this is not the case today. The message today in most circles of religion is centered on self-self awareness, self acceptance, "living your best life now". These charlatans paint the picture of never ending flows of peace, prosperity, and developing a charismatic personality that attracts people to you. Their methods work, but it's not borne from the Spirit of God, it's earthy, devilish, selfish. Coercion, manipulation and twisting of scriptures is common, they know how to use scripture to achieve their goals, and make you feel good about helping them do it. When I listen to them a mental picture comes to mind of them on their dying day-holding fists full of money in both hands, with a huge smile on their faces. But, the reality is, the moment they die, they will stand before their Judge and Master, Jesus Christ, and will give an account of their life. Everything they've accumulated will be gone. I've no desire to be there to see them face this, but it is coming. The post above will touch those whom it's meant for. Those who's entire being seeks after Jesus Christ, for Who He Is, not for what they can gain from using His Name. There are some who will read this post, and will nod their heads in agreement, because it speaks truth to their hearts, and they too, long for the day when they see Him, face to face, and join Christ and loved ones gone on before, in eternal bliss. For those who long for this, it will bring a tone of soundness, and an assurance of the promises of God, meant for them, when this life is done. May it speak to you, in the same way. Heaven Bound This page contains scripture verses, poems, commentary, and inspiration on our eternal destination if we are among those who belong to Jesus Christ-and desire to be home with Him, where He is-in heaven. This information, and material is offered freely under terms of Fair Use, according to the United States Fair Use Act of 1976, subsection 107, for research, comment, news, reporting, scholarship, and educational purposes. This website is not monetized and no profit is made from posting this information. Forever with the Lord Forever with the Lord! Amen; so let it be, Life from the dead is in that word, 'Tis immortality. Here in the body pent, Absent from Him I roam, Yet nightly pitch my moving tent A day's march nearer home. My Father's house on high, Home of my soul, so near, At times, to faith's far-seeing eye Thy golden gates appear! Yet clouds will intervene, And all my prospect flies, Like Noah's dove, I flit between Rough seas and stormy skies. And the clouds depart, The winds and waters cease, While sweetly o'er my gladdend heart Expands the bow of peace. In darkness as in light, Hidden alike from view, I sleep, I wake, as in His sight, Who looks all nature through. Forever with the Lord! Father, if 'tis Thy will, The promise of that faithful word Even here to me fulfil. Be Thou at my right hand, Then can I never fail, Uphold Thou me, and I shall stand, Fight, and I must prevail. Knowing as I am known, How shall I love that word! And oft repeat before the throne, Forever with the Lord! Forever with the Lord! Amen; so let it be, Life from the dead is in that word, 'Tis immortality. —Octavius Winslow Leavin' On My Mind- Rusty Goodman https://youtu.be/xlYrGzy_JMU Look for me ~ Rusty Goodman and the Goodman Family https://youtu.be/-9s-E90jb14 “They shall see his face.” This is the highest station of honour in the service of God. To stand in the presence of the Great King, is the station of princes, the honour that belongs only to the royal family of heaven. In them the saying is fulfilled, “He raiseth the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” Theirs is the dignity of a life at court, the court of the “Ancient of Days.”
The face is the index to the character and distinctive attributes of any being. In the poetry of the primitive ages, the “face” is another word for the character; and thoroughly to know it, and see into it, is thoroughly to know the real man. “The face of God,” let it be reverentially spoken, is the character of God; to see it is to know what God is. The greatest revelation of the Father, according to St. Paul’s teaching, was in “the face” of the Redeemer. St. John here tells us that this is the face which Christ’s servants shall see by and by. But had not John seen this face already? Yes, in a sense. He had leaned upon the Master’s bosom many a time, and looked up into that face, and if there was anything in Christ’s human nature that expressed to John His Divine glory and tenderness beyond all other, it was that countenance. But John also saw only as much of that face as to awaken within him an intense yearning to see more. “We shall see him as he is,” and “they shall see his face,” are his fond refrains. He practically says, “It is true that for a brief time I saw His face, but there was so much of hiding in His incarnation, that I only saw dimly its deep meaning. By and by I shall see Him without any of the mist of His humanity that gathered round Him while on earth to lessen the brightness of His glory or the full beauty of His face.” (Source- Great Texts) Heaven Bound This page contains scripture verses, poems, commentary, and inspiration on our eternal destination if we are among those who belong to Jesus Christ-and desire to be home with Him, where He is-in heaven. This information, and material is offered freely under terms of Fair Use, according to the United States Fair Use Act of 1976, subsection 107, for research, comment, news, reporting, scholarship, and educational purposes. This website is not monetized and no profit is made from posting this information. Heaven at Last Angel voices sweetly singing, Echoes through the blue dome ringing, News of wondrous gladness bringing... Ah, 'tis heaven at last! Now beneath us all the grieving, All the wounded spirit's heaving, All the woe of hopes deceiving... Ah 'tis heaven at last! Sin for ever left behind us, Earthly visions cease to blind us, Fleshly fetters cease to bind us... Ah, 'tis heaven at last! On the jasper threshold standing, Like a pilgrim safely landing See, the strange bright scene expanding... Ah 'tis heaven at last! What a city! what a glory! Far beyond the brightest story Of the ages old and hoary... Ah, 'tis heaven at last! Softest voices silver pealing, Freshest fragrances spirit-healing, Happy hymns around us stealing... Ah, 'tis heaven at last! Gone the vanity and folly, Gone the dark and melancholy, Come the joyous and the holy... Ah, 'tis heaven at last! Not a broken blossom yonder, Not a link can snap asunder, Stay'd the tempest, sheathed the thunder... Ah, 'tis heaven at last! Not a tear-drop ever falleth, Not a pleasure ever palleth, Song to song for ever calleth... Ah, 'tis heaven at last! Christ Himself the living splendour, Christ the sunlight mild and tender; Praises to the Lamb we render... Ah, 'tis heaven at last! Now at length the veil is rended, Now the pilgrimage is ended, And the saints their thrones ascended... Ah, 'tis heaven at last! Broken death's dread bands that bound us, Life and victory around us, Christ the King Himself hath crowned us... Ah,'tis heaven at last! —Horatius Bonar ++++++++++++++++ Robert Reed - Heaven Our Eternal Home https://youtu.be/YSdeASs7MN0
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This page will contain an assortment of material about our eternal destination-heaven. May it be a blessing to those who's hearts long for, and seek the things of God-and His Kingdom.
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February 2024
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