492. EPH 3:15. HEAVEN LIKENED TO A FAMILY

Eph_3:15. Heaven Likened To A Family

"The whole family in heaven."’97Eph_3:15

The Christian is a traveller on his way to Zion. This is not his rest. The traveller oftentimes directs his attention to the end of his journey, to the city of his habitation. The mariner often casts a look of hope over the waters which separate him from the desired haven. The prince who is the crown heir, often anticipates the riches and magnificence he will possess when he arrives at age. Now the Christian is a traveller passing through this desert world to the city of the new Jerusalem: and he often sings,

"Jerusalem my happy home,

Name ever dear to me,

When shall my journey have its end,

When shall I come to thee?"

The Christian is a tempest-tossed mariner, sailing to the celestial haven, and often does he long to behold the quiet shores of the heavenly world. The Christian is a child of God, and an heir of glory, and he looks forward when he shall receive from the hands of the chief shepherd the crown of life, &c. Our subject leads us to the contemplation of the heavenly family. Now let us notice,

I. The Members of the Heavenly Family.

1. There is the supreme head of the family.

Jehovah, the universal Father of the spirits of all flesh. The Father and origin of all beings. So called in reference to Jesus. Angels too are his sons’97believers his adopted children’97the human family his intelligent offspring’97all animated beings his creatures.

2. There is the elder brother, the mediator between God and man.

Jesus stands midway between essential Deity and creature man, closely and inseparably allied to each. He has the essential nature and perfections of the Father. "He and the Father are one." He had absolute glory with him before the world was. Then he has, in connection with the divine nature, the nature of man. He was "made of a woman," &c. "God manifest in the flesh." Now he is the light and glory of heaven. The sun of the Heavenly temple. The tree of life, &c.

3. There is an innumerable company of angels.

Now these are called "morning stars," "sons of God," "Jehovah’s host," "his ministering servants." It is said of them that their number is "ten thousand times ten thousand, yea, thousands of thousands." Now all these are clad in habiliments of unspotted purity, and from their zeal and benevolence, are likened to flames of fire.

4. There will be a countless number of glorified children.

The old monstrous doctrine of the reprobation and eternal perdition of infants is now nearly exploded from the world. Of the felicity of all who die in childhood there can be no doubt. The Father of mercies cannot rejoice in their destruction. Besides, Jesus said with great complacency and delight, "Suffer," &c.

5. There will be the whole collected body of believers.

Now this will of course include the truly pious, (1) Of all ages. From Abel downwards to Noah. Noah to Moses,’97Moses to David,’97David to Christ,’97from the Baptist to Stephen,’97Stephen to Constantine:’97from thence to the reformation and to our own day. (2) Of all countries "They shall come from the east," &c. Of every clime and tongue, color and people. Of all these only one grand essential:’97a living, purifying, and obedient faith; for every believer shall be saved, &c.

II. The Unity of the Heavenly Family.

The "whole family." Observe,

1. There is one family house.

On earth this cannot be. Diversity of sentiment and worship render it desirable, that in separate companies we should go up to the heavenly Zion. Besides, no house on earth could hold the congregation of the faithful. But there is a house not made with hands, &c. Jesus said, "In my Father’s house," &c. This unity is ever kept prominent. Kingdom,’97inheritance,’97city,’97temple.

2. All of this family have the same employments.

Worship God and the Lamb. His servants shall serve him, &c.

3. All have the same enjoyments.

They see God. Enjoy God. The Lamb leads them to living fountains of water, &c. Same rest. Same sources of joy. "In thy presence," &c.

III. The glorious Characteristics of the Heavenly Family.

1. Absolute purity Not one spot, or one infirmity. Not one selfish or envious or angry member.

2. Perfect blessedness.

Nothing that disturbs or grieves. No enemies without. No fears within. No darkness of mind. No sin, or pain, or disease. The eye weeps not, the heart aches not. There is,

3. Glorious permanency.

Immutability is engraved upon the walls and pavement of the celestial city. The church of God on earth is like a vessel on the waters tossed hither and thither. There are removals to other churches; apostasies from the truth; the scythe of death: the king of terrors visits the sanctuary, and one and another he marks as his victims. None of these in the family above.

IMPROVEMENT

1. Have we not all some friends and kindred who form part of the family in heaven?

2. Are we living and acting so as to get there ourselves?

3. Invite sinners.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS