Required reading
Miscellaneous Observations in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude 'Heaven'.
My summary
Today we finish the thoughts on heaven, and particularly the happiness of the saints in heaven. We hear about:
(i) the feast of heaven;
(ii) the watching of God's mercies to the saints still on earth;
(iii) Christ as head;
(iv) the judgement of the saints;
(v) the glory of the saints compared to the glory of the angels;
(vi) the rewards before the resurrection.
What grabbed me
I liked this point about God's work of redemption:
'Therefore we may well suppose, that very much of Christ’s happiness in heaven consists in beholding the glory of God appearing in the work of redemption; and so in rejoicing in his own work, and reaping the sweet fruit of it, the glorious success of it, which was the joy that was set before him. And as the apostle represents the future happiness of the saints by a participation of God’s rest and Christ’s rest from their works, Heb. iv. 4-11. This seems to argue two things, viz.
1. That the way that the saints will be happy in beholding the glory of God, will be very much in beholding the glory of his perfections in his works.
2. That the happiness of the saints in heaven, especially since Christ’s ascension, consisting in beholding God s glory, will consist very much in seeing his glory in the work of redemption. The happiness of departed saints under the Old Testament, consisted much in beholding the glory of God in the works of creation; in beholding which, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. 535 ” But their happiness, since Christ’s ascension, consists much more in beholding the glory of God in the work of redemption, since the old creation, in comparison of this, is no more mentioned, nor comes into mind. But they will be glad and rejoice for ever in this work.'
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!
Next week's reading
Commence Types of the Messiah in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read up to the paragraph beginning with 'It is an argument that the manna God gave the children of Israel was a type of something spiritual...'
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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