Heaven is our eternal
inheritance, purchased and obtained for us by the blood of Christ (“In whom
we have obtained an inheritance!”); but he has given the earnest of that
inheritance by the Spirit of grace in the new birth (Eph.
“Every heir of endless bliss, passing through this wilderness,
Finds his journey, to the end, vexed with trouble and with sin.
This is God’s all-wise decree. May He give us grace to see —
Thus He weans us from the earth’s vanity and empty mirth.
Pains and sorrows, sin and woes, Satan’s roars and countless foes,
Every day our way oppose. Still, God’s grace sufficient proves!
He is strong, faithful, and true. He will guide us safely through!
All that now our souls distress, will increase our endless bliss!”
Life in this world is not easy. It is not easy to live by faith while we still carry in our nature an evil heart of unbelief. It is not easy to persevere in the faith when the world, the flesh, and the devil oppose us. It is not easy to live for and seek the glory of God when so many earthly cares and inward corruptions vex and torment our souls.
Heaven is our eternal
inheritance, purchased and obtained for us by the blood of Christ, “in whom
we have obtained an inheritance;” and he has given the earnest of that
inheritance by the Spirit of grace in the new birth (Eph.
Like
The
Jews have a legend.
They say that
during the days of famine
in
The opening word of verse 18, “For,”
is very significant. It connects what Paul is about to say with what he has
just said. He says, “Lift up those
hands, strengthen those feeble knees, go on, go on my brother, ‘for’ the
prize is near, and it is sure! Read verses 18-24 in that light.
“For ye are not come unto the mount that
might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness,
and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice
they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast
touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so
terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye
are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and
church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of
all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of
the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things
than that of Abel.”
If we belong to God, if we are numbered among those who come to God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, here are nine heavenly blessings that belong to us now. We will never enter into the fullness of them until we have dropped this robe of flesh, but they are ours to enjoy right now as much as they shall be when we are seated before the throne of God and of the Lamb.
1. Complete freedom from the curse and terror of the law (vv. 18-21).
2. The enjoyment of free access to God (v. 22).
3. The privilege of heavenly citizenship (v. 22).
4. The companionship of the angels of God (v. 22).
5. The spiritual wealth of adoption into the family of God (v. 23).
6. The defense and protection of God’s holy throne (v. 23).
7. The company and fellowship of glorified saints (v. 23).
8. The personal care and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 24).
9. Full, irrevocable salvation through Christ’s precious blood (v. 24).
Don Fortner