THAT HEAVENLY WORLD.
We need not stand on Pisgah's height, nor climb to the summit of the Andes, to catch a glimpse of that "Heavenly world." But, grasping the telescope of Faith, and looking through Revelations, the humblest Christian, "low down in the valley," may see through the storm-clouds and tempests of life—yea, even through the "shadow of death"—and gaze with rapture upon the enchanting scene. The light of the Sun pales without, as the flood-light of that inner world breaks upon the eye. There is the resplendent "glory of God," shining with unequalled radiance and beauty. To the spirit-eye it is not blinding, neither will it even dim the sight. Fear not, ye feeble followers of the blessed Redeemer, to approach—even now—by faith and contemplation, the confines of that bright world; even though it is within that encircling photosphere of ethereal fire. There is no danger, for by-and-by that bright world will be your place of habitation. When the winged messenger comes and escorts you away from your earthly "prison-house," he will conduct you to that bright world, where "an abundant entrance shall be administered unto you" by your blessed Saviour. Remember it is written in the "Sacred Volume": "The voice of God divideth the flame;" and He hath said: "I will be as a wall of fire." "When thou goest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee." "Enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." No such flames within. "The Sun shall not light on thee; nor any heat;" and yet there is a resplendent light, even the "glory of God," which illumines the Great City and all the vast realm. "There is no night there," but one eternal day; and when thou hast entered, "The days of thy mourning shall be ended."
But hold heavenward the telescope of faith; let us, through the lights of revelation, endeavor to get a slight panoramic view. The inspired poet caught a glimpse before us. Hear him exclaim:
"There, on those wide extended plains,
Shines one eternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away."
Behold! Spread out before us is the wide expanse of a glorious universe. See in the distance those hills and towering mountains; those beautiful valleys and wide-extending plains. See the innumerable "set thrones," and, in the midst of all, "The Great White Throne!" and He who sits thereon is the Son of God, who reigns, and is the ruler of this vast empire. See "before the throne a sea of glass like unto crystal," and around about the throne "four-and-twenty elders in raiment of white, with crowns of gold," while all around is "a rainbow, in sight like unto an emerald," or grand empyrean covering resplendent with the light of the "glory of God." See that fountain of the "river of life" gushing from beneath the throne, and flowing on and on, meandering amidst mountains and hills, and through vast plains and beautiful valleys. See the crystal fountains playing on every hand, and whose waters are forever sparkling in the light of eternal day. See the towering forest trees and shady "groves of heaven," placed there by the "Word" of the Creator, during past cycles of eternity, and long before time commenced, their rich foliage presenting every variegated hue, their boughs laden with all manner of precious fruit suited for spiritual food, and their seasons for bearing are now and forever. But see yonder, near the base of that towering mountain,—whose summit seems to mount up a thousand miles high, and whose towering forests are waving in the gentle breezes of heaven, and, with all things else, seem but to reflect the light of the "glory of God;"—that vast plain spreading out from its base is the "Garden of the Lord." Its extent is even greater than that of our whole Earth. It is filled with trees bearing fruits; with shrubbery, and ten thousand times ten thousand various and variegated flowers perennially blooming. See the vast multitude of saints, attended by angels, as they meander through its labyrinths, culling choicest flowers, or lingering under "native bowers" or amid shady groves. No old age or decrepitude; no gray hairs to distinguish ages. The old seers and prophets; neither are Adam nor Methuselah, who dwelt on the earth nearly a thousand years, known here by age; neither do our own aged fathers and mothers show here any signs of decrepitude or advanced years, but, even as their own children—our brothers, our sisters, our husbands, our wives, and our own children, who have found an inheritance here—all are as in the bloom of youth and maturity, and will thus remain forever through succeeding cycles of eternity. Ah! methinks, amid that vast multitude you espy a father, a mother, a sister, a brother, companion or child, or some dear, loved friends from earth, who are now radiant with beauty in that "Paradise of God," and that you would fain drop mortality, and, on spirit-wings of love, go and join them and be forever at rest. Wait, not now; but if you have sought and found the "pearl of price," and are abiding in the "love of God," you, too, will get there by-and-by. Remember afflicted Job, who "knew his record was in heaven," yet with all this perceptive knowledge, hear him meekly say: "All my appointed time will I wait, until my change cometh," and "though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."
But while we have in hand the "telescope of faith" and the revelations of God as our light, let us change its direction a little, and add a new grasping power.
See! Behold the "City of God" of which "glorious things were spoken,"—even the city of which John had a panoramic view while "in the spirit" on the Isle of Patmos. See its glittering "jasper walls" as they loom up in the glory-light fifteen hundred miles high; and whose foundations are fifteen hundred miles square, covering a superficial extent of two millions two hundred and fifty thousand square miles. See! "Its foundations are garnished with all manner of precious stones," and there are "twelve vast gates of entrance, and the twelve gates are twelve pearls: every several gate is one pearl." Those gates are now thrown wide open, never to be shut again, for it is the "city of habitation" for the redeemed from Earth, and hundreds are arriving from our world every minute of time. See! "its walls are of pure gold—even as jasper," while "its streets are paved with gold transparent as glass." See its vast arches, minarets and towers, and its palatial mansions. Remember the blessed Saviour said, when about to leave our Earth, "In my Father's house are many mansions;" and added, "I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there ye may be also." Some of our friends have homes in those beautiful mansions. * * * * * It is enough. Our vision of these enchanting scenes is ended, and we are left to contemplate them in mind until our "appointed time" shall come, and then if we are ready when our "Lord and master calls," we, too, shall find a permanent home with the "redeemed of the Lord" in that "heavenly world," and then with St. Paul, we may see "the glory which shall be revealed."