“. . . his heavenly kingdom.” 2 Timothy 4:18
Yonder city of the great King is a place of active service. Ransomed spirits serve him day and night in his temple. They never cease to fulfill the good pleasure of their King. They always “rest,” so far as ease and freedom from care is concerned—and never “rest” in the sense of indolence or inactivity. [New] Jerusalem the golden is the place of communion with all the people of God.
We shall sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in eternal fellowship. We shall hold high converse with the noble host of the elect, all reigning with him who by his love and his potent arm has brought them safely home. We shall not sing solos, but in chorus shall we praise our King.
Heaven is a place of victory realized. Whenever, Christian, you have achieved a victory over your lusts—whenever after hard struggling, you have laid a temptation dead at your feet—you have in that hour a foretaste of the joy that awaits you when the Lord shall shortly tread Satan under your feet, and you shall find yourself more than conqueror through him who has loved you.
Paradise is a place of security. When you enjoy the full assurance of faith, you have the pledge of that glorious security which shall be yours when you are a perfect citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem.
O my sweet home, Jerusalem, you happy harbor of my soul! Thanks, even now, to him whose love has taught me to long for you—but louder thanks in eternity, when I shall possess you.
My soul has tasted of the grapes
And now it longs to go
Where my dear Lord his vineyard keeps
And all the clusters grow
Upon the true and living vine
My famish’d soul would feast
And banquet on the fruit divine
An everlasting guest
Adapted from Morning and Evening.
