This preparation for Heaven is the work of the Holy Spirit. By providences, by sermons, by the word of truth, and by prayer, God prepares His servants for the heavenly home on high. Looking, then, at this life as a state of danger, difficulties, and trials—a life of probation—we must say with Paul, that when the great conflict is over, "To die is gain." "The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."
But remember he said, now I am ready to be offered.
It is only when we are ready to be offered, that to die will be gain. Oh, are you ready? Jesus says, "be ye also ready."
There are some here, perhaps, who are still unsaved, unprepared for death. Oh, if God should call for you to-day, where would your soul go? You know that God out of Christ is a consuming fire. It will not be gain for you when you die, unless you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, come to Him while it is the accepted time, and the day of salvation.
There is no time to be lost in this important matter, for death is upon our track. While God invites how blest the day. While the Holy Spirit is speaking and saying, "Prepare to meet thy God." Oh, resist not entreaties, yield to His power. How is it possible for a soul to be ready for death, and judgment, and a coming eternity, without conversion?
"Verily, verily," said Jesus to Nicodemus, "I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." How is it possible for any to be ready to meet God in peace unless they are washed in Christ's blood, and clothed in His spotless and justifying righteousness.
Paul said, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." There are some, however, who do not believe this comforting doctrine. They debar the Christian from the enjoyments of Heaven during the intermediate state between the hour of death and the resurrection. This condition they call the unconscious state of the dead. They are soul-sleepers, and generally believe in the pernicious error, namely, the annihilation of the wicked. A pleasing thought no doubt to the workers of iniquity, as they shall escape the punishment due to their iniquities. This is about as dangerous a doctrine as the new school theology of reformatory punishment, namely, that God is so good and so full of universal benevolence, that He cannot consistently, with His attribute of mercy, consign His creatures to everlasting punishment. It is true that God is full of love and tender mercy; but He never appeared as a merciful God excepting through a mediator. He can only be just, and the justifier of those alone who believe in Jesus. "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name given under Heaven or among men whereby we can be saved, but by the name of Jesus." To those, we believe, He is precious at the hour of death. It is then the believer is ushered into the presence of the King eternal, immortal, and invisible. In view of the greatness and glory of the transition from earth to Heaven, the Apostle exclaimed, "I have a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better." For it is then that we really begin to live; now we see through a glass darkly; now we know only in part, but then, oh, what a change, "Beyond the smiling and the weeping."
"Let not your heart be troubled," said Jesus; "in my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also." It is for these mansions we were begotten. "Heirs to an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away."
Sister Knowles had the blest assurance of this Heavenly home, she knew this assurance was attainable, and on earth she enjoyed it, and now she is reaping the rich reward, and its innumerable and unutterable advantages. In her dying hour she could triumphantly exclaim, with Simeon in the temple, "Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." And, like Moses, her eye was not dimmed, nor her natural force abated. Oh! the gain, the bliss of thus dying.
Heaven as our home is worthy our deepest contemplation. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be." It is a place of perfect rest. Oh, how comforting is this thought to the poor, way-worn, toiling pilgrim.