By the new heaven and the new earth here, all understand. new state and face of the church; but some apply it to the state of the church militant here upon earth, and others to the state of the church triumphant in heaven. Accordingly they take the new heaven and the new earth to be the effect of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Observable is that variety of expressions which the Holy Ghost here makes use of, to set forth the excellency of the church triumphant by, 1. She is blessed with God's immediate presence and abode, of which the tabernacle was. sign; the Lord manifesting himself in heaven unto his saints in. more im... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, 1. How these new heavens and new earth come to be effected and made, namely, by the omnipotent power of Christ, BEHOLD. MAKE ALL THINGS NEW;. good argument to encourage us to go unto Christ by prayer for renewing grace. Surely he that makes new heavens can make new hearts, he that renews... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That our design of happiness must be accompanied with endeavours after it, or they will be ineffectual; to thirsting in the former verse, he joins overcoming in this verse: we must not barely wish, but work; not only talk, but fight; and not only fight but overcome our spiritual ene... [ Continue Reading ]
After. description given of the celestial happiness of the righteous at the day of judgment, here follows the eternally miserable condition of the wicked; and eight several sorts of sinners are here summed up, who shall be excluded out of heaven, and cast into hell, namely, the FEARFUL, such as dar... [ Continue Reading ]
St. John having delivered, before. general account of the saints' happiness in heaven, descends here to. more particular description of it. Heaven, called the New Jerusalem, is represented by. city, with magnificent gates and walls; and the church, the collective body of glorified saints, is here ca... [ Continue Reading ]
Still St. John proceeds in the description of the heavenly state, and the church triumphant in it; this is called A CITY, in respect of its magnificent building, comely order, and invincible strength; A GREAT CITY, in regard of its largeness and capaciousness, being full of glorified saints and ange... [ Continue Reading ]
Some will have all this to signify and represent the purest state of the church here upon earth; but if there shall be any state on this side eternity which answereth this glorious representation, how much more will the perfect glorious church in heaven fully answer it; What was said of Jerusalem of... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. St. John declares that the new Jerusalem shall not want either those spiritual supplies or natural advantages which Jerusalem below stood in need of; no need of any temple there for external worship and ordinances which it is our duty to wait upon God in here: What need of an house... [ Continue Reading ]