hour knoweth no man; no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Matt. xxiv. 29 to 44. 1 Thess. v. 2. The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 2 Pet. iii. 10. 2 Thess. ii. 3. That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.-Ver. 8. Whom the Lord shall consume, &c. V. Uses to be made of the doctrine of a future judgment, and its consequences; for encouraging steadfastness and perseverance in sundry graces and duties of the Christian life. Luke xxi. 34, 35. Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life; and so that day come upon you unawares. (Compare 1 Pet. iv. 45.) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the earth.-Ver. 36. Watch ye, therefore, and pray always; that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. See Matt. xxiv. 42. 44 to 51. Mark xiii. 33 to 37. 1 Cor. i. 7, 8. Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ. iv. 4, 5. He that judgeth me is the Lord. (See Christ shall judge.) Therefore judge nothing before the time, till the Lord come. See Matt. vii. 1, 2. Rom. xiv. 3. 10. 13. Col. ii. 16. James iv. 11. Acts xvii. 30, 31. The times of ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men every where to repent. Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ. Col. iii. 4, 5. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.-Ver. 8. Also put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communications out of your mouth.-Ver. 9. Lie not.-Ver. 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance. Y y 1 Thess. ii. 19. We who are ministers, what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? iii. 12, 13. The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness, before God even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. iv. 17. We shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: so shall we be ever with the Lord.—Ver. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. v. 2. The day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night. 2 Pet. iii. 10. Ver. 4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.-Ver. 6. Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thess. v. 8. Putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet the hope of salvation. 2 Thess. ii. 1, 2. We beseech you brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind. 1 Tim. vi. 14. Keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. See Obedience to Christ. Tit. ii. 12, 13. Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world: Looking for the blessed hope,. and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. James v. 7. Be patient, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.-Ver. 8. Stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 1 Pet. i. 7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than that of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.-Ver. 9. Ye receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Ver. 13-15. Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end, for the grace that shall be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ: As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 1 Pet. iv. 7. The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Ver. 13. Rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 2 Pet. iii. 11, 12. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness? Looking for, and hasting to the coming of the day of God; wherein the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Ver. 13, 14. 1 John ii. 8. Little children, abide in Christ, that when he shall appear ye may have confidence, and not be ashamed at his coming. iv. 17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment. Rev. xiv. 7. Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the fountains of waters. VI. The dissolution of the heavens and the earth. Ps. cii. 25. The heavens are the work of thine hands.-Ver. 26. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment, and as a vesture shalt thou [Christ] change them, and they shall be changed. See Heb. i. 10, 11, 12. 2 Pet. iii. 7. The heavens and the earth, which are now, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men.-Ver. 10. The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Ver. 12. Ver. 12. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. See Rev. vi. 14. Isa. xxxiv. 24.-li. 6.-lxv. 17.-lxvi. 22. HAPPINESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS. VII. The happiness of the righteous in heaven, inconceivably great. 1 Cor. ii. 9. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Isa. lxiv. 4. 1 John iii. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Rom. viii. 29. Phil. iii. 21. 17. If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Ch. iv. 7. Gal. iii. 27. Heirs according to the promise. Eph. iii. 6. Tit. iii. 17. Heirs hope of eternal life. VIII. Christians are heirs. Rom. viii. according to the Heb. i. 174 Heirs of salvation. vi. 17. Heirs of promise. xi. 7. 10. Heirs of righteousness by faith. James ii. 5. Heirs of a kingdom, which God hath prepared for them that love him. Christians have an inheritance, a kingdom, &c. Matt. xix. 21. 29. Thou shalt have treasure in heaven-Shall inherit everlasting life. xxv. 34. Christ will say, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Luke xii. 32. Luke xxii. 29, 30. I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom. Acts xiv. 20. We must through manifold tribulations enter into the kingdom of God. Col. iii. 24. Of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. 1 Thess. ii. 12. God hath called us to his kingdom and glory. 2 Thess. i. 5. That ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom, for which ye also suffer. 2 Tim. iv. 18. The Lord shall preserve me to his heavenly kingdom. Heb. ix. 15. Christ the mediator, &c. that they might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. x. 34. An enduring substance. Ch. xii. 28. A kingdom that cannot be moved. 2 Pet. i. 3, 4. God hath begotten us to a lively hope; to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven. Ver. 11. An entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Rev. i. 6. Jesus Christ hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father. Ch. v. 10.—xx. 4. 6. See Luke vi. 20.-xiii. 28, 29.-xiv. 15. xxi. 7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things. 1 Cor. vi. 9. The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Ver. 10. Gal. v. 21. Eph. v. 5. IX. The righteous have rest. Job iii. 17. There [in heaven] the weary are at rest. Ps. cxvi. 7. Return unto thy rest, O my soul. Jer. vi. 16. Walk in the good way, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Isa. Ivii. 2. Matt. xi. 28. Come unto me [said Jesus,] and I will give you rest.-Ver. 29. Ye shall find rest unto your souls. 2 Thess. i. 7. God will give you rest, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven. Heb. iv. 9. There remaineth a rest for the people of God.-Ver. 11. Let us labour to enter into that rest. Rev. xiv. 13. The dead which die in the Lord, rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. X. They enjoy mansions, a new heaven, an heavenly temple, light, &c. John xiv. 2. In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you.-Ver. 3. I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. 2 Pet. iii. 13. We look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Rev. iii. 4. They shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. xxi. 22. The Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple of it.-Ver. 23. The glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. xxii. 4. They shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads.Ver. 5. The Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever. XI. They are present with Christ. John xvii. 24. I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me. Ch. xii. 26. Col. iii. 4. When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 1 John iii. 2. 1 Thess. iv. 17. We shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Rev. iii. 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled with me in white, for they are worthy. their garments; and they shall walk Ver. 21. To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne; even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Ver. 5. vii. 15. They are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. xiv. 4. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth: these were redeemed from among men; being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. Ver. 5. XII. Are in a state of joy. Ps. xvi. 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy, and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. Ps. xxxvi. 8, 9. Isa. xxxv. 10. 'Matt. xxv. 21. Enter into the joy of thy Lord. faultless before the presence of his Jude 24. He is able to present you glory, with exceeding joy. XIII. Free from pain and sorrow. Isa. xxxiii. 24. The inhabitant shall not say I am sick; the people that dwell there shall be forgiven their inquity. Isa. xxxv. 10. Sorrow and sighing shall fly away. lx. 19. The sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Ver. 20. N. B. The above texts from Isaiah, though prophetical of the happy state of the church on earth, are more strictly true and expressive of the happiness of glorified saints in heaven. Matt. vi. 20. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal. Rev. vii. 15-17. They are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall lead them. And they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. xxi. 4. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed Rev. xxii. 1. I beheld a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out the throne of God and of the Lamb. Ver. 2. In the midst of the street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life. See Life through Christ. XV. Life promised to sundry graces and duties. (See Promises to faith in Christ; to obedience.) Lev. xviii. 5. Keep my statutes and my judgments; which if a man do he shall live in them. Neh. ix. 29. Ezek. xx. 11. 13. 21. Rom. x. 5. Gal. iii. 5. Ezek. xviii. 9. He that hath walked in my statutes, and kept my judgments, he shall surely live. Ver. 17. 19. Ch. xxxiii. 13. Matt. xix. 16, 17. One came, and said unto Jesus, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Ver. 18, 19. 21. Mark x. 17. 19. Luke x. 25, &c. John iv. 36. He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. xii. 50. The Father's commandment is life everlasting. Rom. ii. 7. To them who, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, honour, and immortality, God will give eternal life. vi. 22. Being made free from sin, and become the servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Rev. ii. 7. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.. xxii. 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. See Promises to obedience; to good works; well-doing, &c. XVI. To righteousness. Prov. xi. 19. Righteousness tendeth to life. Ver. 30. Ch. xxi. 21. xii. 28. In the way of righteousness is life, and in the path-way thereof is no. death. XVII. To the spiritually minded. Rom. viii. 6. To be spiritually minded is life and peace. Ver. 10. 13. Gal. vi. 8. He that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. XVIII. To seeking God. Ps. xxii. 26. Your hearts shall live that seek him. Amos v. 4. Seek ye me, and your soul shall live. See Promises to seeking God. XIX. To godliness. See Promises to godliness. 1 Tim. iv. 8. Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. XX. To the fear of God. See Promises to fearing God.' Prov. xiv. 27. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Ch. xix. 23.-xxii. 4. XXI. To loving God. See Promises to loving God. James i. 12. A crown of life he hath promised to them that love him. XXII. To mortification, dying unto sin. Matt. xviii. 8. If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life, halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.-Ver. 9. If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire Rom. vi. 8. If we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with him. (2 Tim. ii. 11.) Ver. 11. Reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Rom. viii. 2. XXIII. To suffering for Christ's sake. Matt. x. 39. He that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it. John xii. 25. xix. 29. Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. XXIV. To perseverance. Rev. ii. 10. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Matt. x. 22. XXV. To those that overcome. Rev. ii. 7. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. See ver. 11. 17. 26. Ch. iii. 5. 12. 21. -xxi. 7. XXVI. To repentance. See Promises to repentance, conversion, turning, &c. Acts xi. 18. Then hath God unto the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. XXVII. To the wise. See Promises to the love and study of wisdom. Prov. iv. 4. Wisdom saith, Keep my commandments and live. viii. 35. Whoso findeth wisdom findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Ch. xvi. 22. Eccl. vii. 12. Wisdom giveth life. See Ch, xiii. 14.-xv. 24. FUTURE PUNISHMENTS. XXVIII. Sinners that shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. v. 20. Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall vii. 21-23. Jesus said, Not every one enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not cast out devils, and in thy name done prophesied in thy name, and in thy name many wonderful works? And then will depart from me, ye that work iniquity. I profess unto them, I never knew you: Luke xiii. 26. become as little children, ye shall not xviii. 3. Except ye be converted, and enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mark x. 15. Mark x. 23-25. 27. Jesus said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!-It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.-With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible. Luke xiii. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Matt. vii. 13, 14. For wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. John iii. 3. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.-Ver. 5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. Know ye not, that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicaters, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind; nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. |