1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God… I. THE LOFTIEST IDEA OF THE GLORIFIED LIFE. To be with the Lord. Our conceptions of the future are coloured by our human tastes and prejudices. 1. To some it is a state. It is all within. Perfect freedom from sin, and the joy of spiritual fellowship with Christ. 2. To others it is a place. There must be trees, rivers, golden pavements, etc. 3. Probably a combination of both will give us the true idea. State and place combine to make complete happiness. 4. But more is required — social enjoyments. The idea of those who have been bereaved is reunion. But the saint exclaims, "Whom have I in heaven but THEE!" "The altogether lovely." The Saviour reciprocates this desire. "I go to prepare a place for you." "Father, I will that they whom Thou hast given Me be with Me," etc. 5. The duration augments the joy of this fellowship. Here it is intermittent; there it will be "forever." II. WHAT THIS IDEA OF A GLORIFIED LIFE ENSURES. 1. Continual contemplation of Christ. Here that meditation, which is the sweetest of our spiritual enjoyments, is broken; yonder it shall be uninterrupted. 2. Continual assimilation to Christ. Here it is a slow progress, and incomplete at best; but in heaven there will be no obstacles, but every help, in growing into the likeness of our Lord. 3. Unceasing reflection of Christ. As long as the sun shines upon it, the water pours forth its gladness; but often a cloud intervenes, and night shuts out the glory. But when we stand before the throne, we shall eternally catch the light of Christ's countenance on the polished surface of our holiness, and He shall be admired of all them that believe. III. FROM THIS IDEA OF HEAVEN LET US LEARN — 1. That heaven is the one meeting place of the redeemed. Here they are, and must be, separated. 2. That our sorrow for the departed should be restrained. (G. D. Evans.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: |
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