Heaven, a World of Love

Jonathan Edwards, 1703-1758, wrote, ” …this renders heaven a world of love, for God is the fountain of love, as the sun is the fountain of light. And therefore the glorious presence of God in heaven, fills heaven with love, as the sun, placed in the midst of the visible heavens in a clear day, fills the world with light. See 1Corinthians 13:8-10

“Their shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination.” Revelation 21:27

Edwards continues, “all the persons that belong to the blessed Society of heaven are lovely. The father of the family is lovely, and so are all his children; the head of the body lovely, and so are all the members. Among the angels there are none that are unlovely. No evil angels are suffered to infest heaven as they do this world, but they are kept forever at a distance by that great gulf which is between them and the glorious world of love.”

“No moral or natural defect shall ever enter there; and there nothing will be seen that is sinful or weak or foolish; nothing, the nature or aspect of which is course or displeasing , or that can offend the most refined taste or the most delicate eye. No strings shall there vibrate out of tune, to cause any jar in the harmony of the music of heaven; and no note be such as to make discord in the anthems of Saints and angels.”

“There is no enemy of God in heaven; but all, as his children, love him as their father. All the members of the glorious Society of heaven are sincerely united; the angels and Saints all love each other. There is not a single secret or open enemy among them all. Not a heart is there that is not full of love, and not a solitary inhabitant that is not beloved by all the others.”

“Those that have a lower station in glory than others, suffer no diminution of their own happiness by seeing others above them in glory. On the contrary, all the members of that blessed society rejoice in each other’s happiness, for the love of benevolence is perfect in them all. The love of benevolence is delighted in beholding the prosperity of another as the love of complacence is , in beholding the beauty or perfection of another.”

Edwards goes on further:

• Love in heaven is always mutual.
• The joy of heavenly love shall never be interrupted or damped by jealousy.
• there shall be nothing within themselves to clog or hinder the saints in heaven in the exercises and expressions of love.
• In heaven, love will be expressed with perfect decency and wisdom.
• There shall be nothing external in heaven to keep its inhabitants at a distance from each other, or to hinder their most perfect enjoyment of each other.
• In heaven all shall be united together in very near and dear relations.

Jonathan Edwards has much more to say in his work, “Heaven is a World of Love.” In light of this blessed heritage and future expectation, Charles Spurgeon reminds us of our daily plan. “You are Christ’s, you are His by donation, for the Father gave you to the Son.””Labor practically to show the world that you are the servant, the friend, the bride of Jesus.”

Spurgeon continues, “When tempted to sin, reply, “I cannot do this great wickedness, for I am Christ’s”. Immortal principles forbid the friend of Christ to sin. When wealth is before you to be won by sin, say that you are Christ’s, and touch it not. Are you exposed to difficulties and dangers? Stand fast in the evil day remembering you are Christ’s.” “Are you placed where others are sitting down idly? Rise to the work with all of your powers, and when the sweat stands upon your brow, …say “No, I cannot stop, I am Christ’s.”

“When the siren song of pleasure would tempt you from the path of right, reply, the music cannot charm me, I am Christ’s.”

Beloved, never belie thy profession. Be true to every one of those whose manners are Christian. Whose speech is like the Nazarene., whose conduct and conversation are so redolent of heaven, that all that see you may know that you are the Savior’s, recognizing in you His features of love, and His countenance of holiness.” C H Spurgeon.

love you