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glory, and honor, and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath; tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil.-There is no respect of persons with God. (2 Ro. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11.)

17. Will all secret sins be then discovered?

Who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts. (I. Cor. 4. 5.)

18. Will our characters on earth decide our state at the day of judgment?

Be, not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (6 Gal. 7.)

19. What punishment awaits the sinful?

A certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.-Vengeance befongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (10 Heb. 27, 30, 31.) 20. How did the Apostle rejoice in looking forward to the day of judgment?

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (II. Tim. 4. 8.)

XXXIX. HEAVEN.

Its nature and employments-Its happiness-Promises of -Connexion with Christ.

1. Does Christ exhort us to fix our treasures and our hearts in heaven?

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and

steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (6 Mt. 19 to 21.)

2. How did Christ refer to his coming again?

Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory: and he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (24 Mt. 30, 31.)

3. What are the exalted hopes of true Christians as to heaven?

Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself, (3 Phi. 20, 21.)

4. How does St. Peter express his gratitude to God for the hope of heaven?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. (I. Pet. 1. 3, 4.)

5. Will the saints be made like to Christ?

Ít 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. (I. Jn. 3. 2.)

6. How do pure and blessed spirits in heaven express their praises?

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.-Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. (5 Rev. 12, 13.)

7. Will great numbers be employed in heaven in praising God and the Lamb?

Lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (7 Rev. 9, 10.)

8. Are complete and everlasting enjoyments to be found with God?

In thy presence is fulness of joy: at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (16 P. 11.)

9. When Christ shall sit on the throne of his glory, how will he address his saints?

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (25 Mat. 34.)

10. How did St. Paul exult in the hope of heaven?

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.—Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better. (1 Phil. 21, 23.)

11. Will the joys of heaven present a striking contrast to the troubles of this life?

These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb therefore are they 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. 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. (7 Rev. 14 to 17.)

12. Will the presence of God be the glory and joy of the saints in heaven"?

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people; and God

himself shall be with them, and be their God. And 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 away. (21 Rev. 3, 4.)

13. Will the happiness of heaven infinitely exceed the purest earthly enjoyments?

I saw no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it; and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (21 Rev. 22 to 27.)

14. Will every evil be excluded from heaven, and perfect bliss be enjoyed?

There shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their fore. heads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (22 Rev. 3 to 5.)

15. Whom will Christ acknowledge in heaven?

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (10 Mt. 32.) 16. Is Christ employed in preparing a place for his people in heaven?

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (14 Jn. 2, 3.)

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17. Is it the will of Christ that his saints should abide with him in heaven?

Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory. (17 Jn. 24.)

18. What did Christ say, when on the cross, to the penitent thief?

Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (23 Lk. 43.)

19. Will Christ make the bliss of his people permanent in heaven?

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. (3 Rev. 12.)

20. What does Christ bestow on his sheep who follow him? I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (10 Jn. 28.)

21. Will the saints appear with Christ in heaven? When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye appear with him in glory. (3 Col. 4)

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22. In what company will the bliss of heaven be enjoyed ? Ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. (12 Heb. 22 to 24.) 23. What is the "new song," which is addressed to Christ in heaven?

Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests : and we shall reign on the earth. (5 Rev. 9, 10.)

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