Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 4 (The concomitants of the second advent) by reading up to the heading '6. Future punishment'.
My summary
Firstly, today, Hodge teaches us about the end of the world. The Scriptures teach us that the end is:
(i) not to be understood as predicting great political and moral revolutions;
(ii) not annihilation;
(iii) not for the whole material universe, but our earth and what pertains to it;
(iv) the introduction of a new heavens and a new earth.
Secondly Hodge explains that God will set up a kingdom. Such a kingdom, among other things, will be universal and everlasting with the Messiah as head.
Thirdly, Hodge spends some time outlining the theory of premillennialism and arguing against it.
What grabbed me
I enjoyed Hodge's description of what we do know about heaven:
'We know however:
(1.) That this incomprehensible blessedness of heaven shall arise from the vision of God. This vision is beatific. It beatifies. It transforms the soul into the divine image; transfusing into it the divine life, so that it is filled with the fulness of God. This vision of God is in the face of Jesus Christ, in whom dwells the plenitude of the divine glory bodily. God is seen in fashion as a man; and it is this manifestation of God in the person of Christ that is inconceivably and intolerably ravishing. Peter, James, and John became as dead men when they saw his glory, for a moment, in the holy mount.
(2.) The blessedness of the redeemed will flow not only from the manifestation of the glory, but also of the love of God; of that love, mysterious, unchangeable, and infinite, of which the work of redemption is the fruit.
(3.) Another element of the future happiness of the saints is the indefinite enlargement of all their faculties.
(4.) Another is their entire exemption from all sin and sorrow.
(5.) Another is their intercourse and fellowship
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with the high intelligences of heaven; with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and all the redeemed.
(6.) Another is constant increase in knowledge and in the useful exercise of all their powers.
(7.) Another is the secure and everlasting possession of all possible good. And,
(8.) Doubtless the outward circumstances of their being will be such as to minister to their increasing blessedness.'
With such understanding, I find it hard to wait for the heavenly glories!
Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 4 (The concomitants of the second advent).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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