Post Info TOPIC: Think about heaven
refulgent

Date:
RE: Think about heaven
Permalink   


Everyone who enters the pearly gates of the city of God will be a doer of the Word.  He will be a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  It is our privilege to realize the fullness there is in Christ, and be blessed by the provision made through Him.  Ample provision has been made that we should be raised from the lowlands of earth, and have our affections fastened upon God and heavenly things.  {2SAT 3.2} 

Will this separation from the world in obedience to the divine command unfit us for doing the work the Lord has left us?  Will it hinder us from doing good to those around us?  No; the firmer hold we have on heaven, the greater will be our power of usefulness in the world.  We should study to copy the Pattern, that the Spirit that dwelt in Christ may dwell in us.  The Saviour was not found among the exalted and honorable of the world.  He did not spend His time among those who were seeking their ease and pleasure.  He went about doing good.  His work was to help those who needed help, to save the lost and perishing, to lift up the bowed down, to break the yoke of oppression from those who were in bondage, to heal the afflicted, and to speak words of sympathy and consolation to the distressed and sorrowing.  {2SAT 3.3} 

We are required to copy this Pattern.  Let us be up and doing, seeking to bless the needy and comfort the distressed.  The more we partake of the Spirit of Christ, the more we shall see to do for our fellow man.  We shall be filled with a love for perishing souls, and shall find our delight in following the footsteps of the Majesty of heaven.  {2SAT 3.4} 



__________________
nb

Date:
Permalink   

The years will move on in gladness. The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold greater than it is now. Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death.T. vol. 8, p. 42.



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him."  The example of Christ is authoritative for every son and daughter of Adam.  He represented the law of God in his life, giving to men an example of what obedience to every precept will accomplish for human nature.  He is our example, and every one who is endowed with reasoning faculties is required to follow in his footsteps; for his life is a perfect pattern to all humanity.  Christ is the finished standard of the character to which every one may attain by becoming a partaker of the divine nature.  "Ye are complete in him."  {YI, October 18, 1894 par. 1}



__________________
nb

Date:
Permalink   

Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts,-the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably after.

Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees waved to and fro, and we all cried out, 'We will dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.' We passed through the woods, for we were on our way to Mount Zion.

As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments.

Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the never-fading flowers.

There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place; the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig-tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs,- these made the place all over glorious. . . . And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it.-EW, pp. 18, 19.



__________________
webmaster

Date:
Permalink   

That's one of my all-time favorite passages from Ellen White's writings, NB. It was originally published in 1848 in Broadside #1, obviously as a source of encouragement to those who were tempted to give up their faith in the 1844 movement.

After those ". . ." in your quote, the original has this: "And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised his lovely voice and said, only the 144,000 enter this place, and we shouted Hallelujah."

That is very interesting, and probably worthy of a whole book to be written on.

Another interesting thing in this quote is that it says they will "sleep in the woods".  I've had several fellow SDAs tell me that there will be no sleep in heaven or the New Earth, but this shows clearly that there will be.  In re-reading Revelation, I see that it is only talking about within the New Jerusalem when it talks about no night there.  Of course nights in heaven/new earth will not be scary or troublesome, like they are sometimes here on earth.



__________________
nb

Date:
Permalink   

webmaster wrote:

That's one of my all-time favorite passages from Ellen White's writings, NB. It was originally published in 1848 in Broadside #1, obviously as a source of encouragement to those who were tempted to give up their faith in the 1844 movement.

After those ". . ." in your quote, the original has this: "And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised his lovely voice and said, only the 144,000 enter this place, and we shouted Hallelujah."

That is very interesting, and probably worthy of a whole book to be written on.

Another interesting thing in this quote is that it says they will "sleep in the woods".  I've had several fellow SDAs tell me that there will be no sleep in heaven or the New Earth, but this shows clearly that there will be.  In re-reading Revelation, I see that it is only talking about within the New Jerusalem when it talks about no night there.  Of course nights in heaven/new earth will not be scary or troublesome, like they are sometimes here on earth.


 excellent



__________________
nb

Date:
Permalink   

 

Heavenly:  I have been shown the order, the perfect order, of heaven and have been enraptured as I listened to the perfect music there.

After coming out of vision, the singing here has sounded very harsh and discordant.

I have seen companies of angels, who stood in a hollow square, every one having a harp of gold. At the end of the harp was an instrument to turn, to set the harp or change the tunes. Their fingers did not sweep over the strings carelessly, but they touched different strings to produce different sounds. There is one angel who always leads, who first touches the harp and strikes the note, then all join in the rich, perfect music of heaven.

It cannot be described. It is melody, heavenly, divine, while from every countenance beams the image of Jesus, shining with glory unspeakable.  . 16LtMs, Ms 134, 1901, par. 3



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

What we want is to be armed with the same mind that was in Christ Jesus our Lord.  And when we are armed with His mind, we can say with the apostle, that we are not to look at the things that are seen, but we are to look away from these things.  These things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal, therefore we are to keep our minds fixed upon heavenly things, the eternal weight of glory.  That is what we are to think about and what we are to talk about.  {1SAT 75.3} 



__________________
nb

Date:
Permalink   

AMEN  

 

From hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from His slumbers, and His soul and His lips were anointed with grace, that He might impart to others. His words were given Him fresh from the heavenly courts, words that He might speak in season to the weary and oppressed. 'The Lord God hath given Me,' He said, 'the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as the learned.' Isaiah 50:4.  . COL 139.1

 



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

Views of heavenly things do not incapacitate men and women for the duties of this life, but rather render them more efficient and faithful.  Although the grand realities of the eternal world seem to charm the mind, engross the attention, and enrapture the whole being, yet with spiritual enlightenment there comes a calm, heaven-born diligence that enables the Christian to take pleasure in the performance of the commonplace duties of life ...  {TMK 168.3} 



__________________
nb

Date:
Permalink   

I tried to shield myself from His gaze, feeling unable to endure His searching eyes; but He drew near with a smile, and laying His hand upon my head, said, 'Fear not.' The sound of His sweet voice thrilled my heart with a happiness it had never before experienced. I was too joyful to utter a word, but, overcome with emotion, sank prostrate at His feet. While I was lying helpless there, scenes of beauty and glory passed before me, and I seemed to have reached the safety and peace of heaven. At length my strength returned, and I arose. The loving eyes of Jesus were still upon me, and His smile filled my soul with gladness. His presence awoke in me a holy reverence and an inexpressible love.  

My guide now opened the door, and we both passed out. He bade me take up again all the things I had left without. This done, he handed me a green cord coiled up closely. This he directed me to place next my heart, and when I wished to see Jesus, take it from my bosom, and stretch it to the utmost. He cautioned me not to let it remain coiled for any length of time, lest it should become knotted and difficult to straighten. I placed the cord near my heart, and joyfully descended the narrow stairs, praising the Lord, and telling all whom I met where they could find Jesus.  

This dream gave me hope. The green cord represented faith to my mind, and the beauty and simplicity of trusting in God began to dawn upon my soul. . CET 27

 



__________________
Anonymous

Date:
Permalink   

The mind must be trained to dwell upon heavenly things. Humility will come as the result of discerning the loveliness of Jesus Christ.   tdg.Sept 9



__________________
Nb

Date:
Permalink   

4 SP p. 492
We shall stand in his presence, and gaze upon the glory of his countenance.  
There, immortal minds will study with never-failing delight the wonders of creative power, the mysteries of redeeming love. There is no cruel, deceiving foe  to tempt to forgetfulness of God. Every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased. The acquirement of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. There the grandest enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions realized; and still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body.  
And as the years of eternity roll, they will bring richer and more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of his character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption, and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed beat with a stronger devotion, and they sweep the harps of gold with a firmer hand; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise.  

 



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

There every power will be developed, every capability increased. The grandest enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will be reached, the highest ambitions realized. And still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of body and mind and soul.  {Ed 307.4} 

All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God's children. With unutterable delight we shall enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. We shall share the treasures gained through ages upon ages spent in contemplation of God's handiwork. And the years of eternity, as they roll, will continue to bring more glorious revelations. "Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20) will be, forever and forever, the impartation of the gifts of God.  {Ed 307.5} 



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

Heaven will be cheap enough if we obtain it through suffering ... As I saw what we must be in order to inherit glory, and then saw how much Jesus had suffered to obtain for us so rich an inheritance, I prayed that we might be baptized into Christ's sufferings, that we might not shrink at trials, but bear them with patience and joy, knowing what Jesus had suffered that we through His poverty and sufferings might be made rich.  {CG 567.1}



__________________
Nb

Date:
Permalink   

Heaven, . . . witness the high, the holy state of perfection that ever abides there,every soul filled with love; every countenance beaming with joy; enchanting music in melodious strains rising in honor of God and the Lamb; and ceaseless streams of light flowing upon the saints from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne, and from the Lamb; . . . realize that there is higher and greater joy yet to experience, for the more they receive of the enjoyment of God, the more is their capacity increased to rise higher in eternal enjoyment, and thus continue to receive new and greater supplies from the ceaseless sources of glory and bliss inexpressible.Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 226, 227



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when shepherds listened to the angels' song. Humanity is still as much the object of heaven's solicitude as when common men of common occupations met angels at noonday, and talked with the heavenly messengers in the vineyards and the fields. To us in the common walks of life, heaven may be very near. Angels from the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God's command.  {DA 48.4} 

The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden "the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God." Romans 11:33. We marvel at the Saviour's sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.  {DA 48.5} 



__________________
Nb

Date:
Permalink   

 The years will move on in gladness. The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold greater than it is now. Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death. Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 42.

 

Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Isaiah 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord .

 

 

notice here that there WILL be a sun and a moon for there will be a telling if time but there will be No Need of the light as the light of God will over-shine everything 



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

But the day is coming when the battle will have been fought, the victory won. The will of God is to be done on earth as it is done in heaven. The nations of the saved will know no other law than the law of heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving -- the robe of Christ's righteousness. All nature, in its surpassing loveliness, will offer to God a tribute of praise and adoration. The world will be bathed in the light of heaven. The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold greater than it is now. The years will move on in gladness. Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, the sons of God will shout for joy, while God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, "There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death."  {MH 505.1} 



__________________
webmaster

Date:
Permalink   

2RH 1884-12-23  I have a faith that

looks over into the future, and sees the tree of life. Upon it grown

precious fruits, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the

nations. No more broken hearts, no more sadness, no more sins, no more

sorrow, no more suffering, in that kingdom of glory. If I am faithful,

I expect to meet the loved ones there. Oh! I have everything to be

thankful for. I expect to see Jesus, in whom our hopes of eternal life

shall have glad fulfillment. I expect to see the Redeemer's glorified

saints,--the white-robed ones about the throne, singing, the victor's

song. They have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of

their testimony. There they stand by the great white throne, and Jesus,

he that was crowned with majesty, glory, and honor,--he leads them to

fountains of living waters. He is to open to us the living truths of

the word of God. We have a little of it here; but throughout eternity

will be unfolded the rich treasures of truth. I am so glad that he has

honored me in giving me a part to act in this work of shedding the

light of truth on the earth. I am so thankful that I can be a partaker

with Christ of his self-denial and suffering, and finally of his glory.

I thank him with all my heart; with all my voice will I praise the Most

High, and glorify him on the earth. Soon we shall know as we are known.

If there are any who have had wrong feelings of jealousy, now is the

time to confess them. God help us to humble our proud hearts, and bring

Jesus into our midst. Open the door of your hearts and let him enter,

and you will have such a Thanksgiving as you never experienced before.



__________________
Nb

Date:
Permalink   

Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts,the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably after. Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees waved to and fro, and we all cried out, We will dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.. EW p.18



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

Elijah was a type of the saints who will be living on the earth at the time of the second advent of Christ and who will be "changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump," without tasting of death. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52. It was as a representative of those who shall be thus translated that Elijah, near the close of Christ's earthly ministry, was permitted to stand with Moses by the side of the Saviour on the mount of transfiguration. In these glorified ones, the disciples saw in miniature a representation of the kingdom of the redeemed. They beheld Jesus clothed with the light of heaven; they heard the "voice out of the cloud" (Luke 9:35), acknowledging Him as the Son of God; they saw Moses, representing those who will be raised from the dead at the time of the second advent; and there also stood Elijah, representing those who at the close of earth's history will be changed from mortal to immortal and be translated to heaven without seeing death. {PK 227.2} 



__________________
Nb

Date:
Permalink   

Heaven, . . . witness the high, the holy state of perfection that ever abides there,every soul filled with love; every countenance beaming with joy; enchanting music in melodious strains rising in honor of God and the Lamb; and ceaseless streams of light flowing upon the saints from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne, and from the Lamb; . . . realize that there is higher and greater joy yet to experience, for the more they receive of the enjoyment of God, the more is their capacity increased to rise higher in eternal enjoyment, and thus continue to receive new and greater supplies from the ceaseless sources of glory and bliss inexpressible.Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 226, 227. 



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

Could those whose lives have been spent in rebellion against God be suddenly transported to heaven and witness the high, the holy state of perfection that ever exists there, -- every soul filled with love, every countenance beaming with joy, enrapturing music in melodious strains rising in honor of God and the Lamb, and ceaseless streams of light flowing upon the redeemed from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne, -- could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God, of truth and holiness, mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of praise?  Could they endure the glory of God and the Lamb?  No, no; years of probation were granted them, that they might form characters for heaven; but they have never trained the mind to love purity; they have never learned the language of heaven, and now it is too late.  A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them for heaven.  Its purity, holiness, and peace would be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming fire.  They would long to flee from that holy place.  They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them.  The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice.  Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God.  {GC 542.2} 



__________________
nb

Date:
Permalink   

All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of Gods redeemed.

Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar,worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe, and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul.

With unutterable delight the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings.

They share the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through ages upon ages in contemplation of Gods handiwork. GC 677



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

At first I thought I saw two trees.  I looked again and saw they were united at the top in one tree.  So it was the tree of life, on either side of the river of life; its branches bowed to the place where we stood; and the fruit was glorious, which looked like gold mixed with silver.  We all went under the tree, and sat down to look at the glory of the place, when brothers Fitch and Stockman, who had preached the gospel of the kingdom, and whom God had laid in the grave to save them, came up to us and asked us what we had passed through while they were sleeping.  We tried to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [2 Corinthians 4:17.] that surrounded us, that we could not speak them out, [Isaiah 65:17.] and we all cried out Hallelujah, heaven is cheap enough, and we touched our glorious harps and made heaven's arches ring.  {WLF 16.1}



__________________
Nb

Date:
Permalink   

aww



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

The rabbis counted their righteousness a passport to heaven; but Jesus declared it to be insufficient and unworthy.  External ceremonies and a theoretical knowledge of truth constituted Pharisaical righteousness.  The rabbis claimed to be holy through their own efforts in keeping the law; but their works had divorced righteousness from religion.  While they were punctilious in ritual observances, their lives were immoral and debased.  Their so-called righteousness could never enter the kingdom of heaven.  {DA 309.1} 

The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ's day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness.  In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved to be insufficient for the saving of the soul.  It does not bring forth the fruits of righteousness.  A jealous regard for what is termed theological truth often accompanies a hatred of genuine truth as made manifest in life.  The darkest chapters of history are burdened with the record of crimes committed by bigoted religionists.  The Pharisees claimed to be children of Abraham, and boasted of their possession of the oracles of God; yet these advantages did not preserve them from selfishness, malignity, greed for gain, and the basest hypocrisy.  They thought themselves the greatest religionists of the world, but their so-called orthodoxy led them to crucify the Lord of glory.  {DA 309.2} 

The same danger still exists.  Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets.  But they have not brought the truth into practical life.  They have not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and grace that come through sanctification of the truth.  Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world.  {DA 309.3} 



__________________
refulgent

Date:
Permalink   

The world is to be warned of its coming doom.  The slumbers of those who are lying in sin and error are so deep, so deathlike, that the voice of God through a wide-awake minister is needed to awaken them.  Unless the ministers are converted, the people will not be.  The cold formalism that is now prevailing among us must give place to the living energy of experimental godliness.  There is no fault with the theory of the truth; it is perfectly clear and harmonious.  But young ministers may speak the truth fluently, and yet have no real sense of the words they utter.  They do not appreciate the value of the truth they present, and little realize what it has cost those, who, with prayers and tears, through trial and opposition, have sought for it as for hid treasures.  Every new link in the chain of truth was to them as precious as tried gold.  These links are now united in a perfect whole.  Truths have been dug out of the rubbish of superstition and error, by earnest prayer for light and knowledge, and have been presented to the people as precious pearls of priceless value.  {4T 445.1} 



__________________
«First  <  1 2 | Page of 2  sorted by
 
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse
Powered by ActiveBoard