JANUARY 23. "Ye are come to an innumerable company of angels." Heb. xii. 22. THE all-wise and ever-gracious God has ordained that eternal and ever-increasing happiness shall flow to his redeemed children in heaven from various sources, or rather through various channels; for, correctly speaking, he himself is the one and only fountain and source, as he alone ordains and appoints every channel through which the blessing and enjoyment flow to us. Among these numerous channels, by which much of our felicity will be derived, we may now fix our thoughts on that of communion and intercourse with this innumerable company of angels; every one of whom will take as much delight in imparting information to us, as we shall in receiving it from them. In contemplating the profits and happiness of such intercourse, it must be remembered, "that angels are endowed with the greatest intellectual faculties, and are of course possessed of knowledge superior to that of any other created beings. Their faculties were, at first, such as became the morning stars of the brightest heavens; the sons of God, intended to surround the throne of Jehovah, and to hold the chief places of power, distinction, and glory, in his eternal kingdom. They were such, in a word, as to become their other transcendent attributes of power, youth, and activity, and the exalted stations which they were destined to fill for ever. Such they were at first created; and they have, ever since that period, dwelt in that world where truth reigns without opposition, where knowledge is the universal state and character, where all mysteries are continually disclosed, and where the book of Providence is unfolded as it is not in any other part of the universe of God.”—(Dwight.) JANUARY 24. "Ye are come to an innumerable company of angels." Heb. xii. 22. WHEN the redeemed soul is brought unto these inhabitants of heaven, it will instantly perceive that no small portion of its felicity does, and will consist in its intercourse with them. Next to the Lord himself these are the holiest, the wisest, the purest, the most benevolent and perfect beings in existence. Now these inconceivably holy and intelligent creatures will admit the ransomed sinner into their ranks, with all the willingness, rapture, and love peculiar to angels. Nothing that they can communicate will be held back; nothing that they can do will be left unperformed for the instruction and advancement of our souls into their own likeness. In such company, and with such examples ever before us, we must become wiser, and make continual advances in all the distinguishing features of heavenly understanding and of heavenly graces. And oh, what wonders will these angels be able to unfold to all their newly-arrived companions, concerning ten thousand things, of which the latter either knew nothing at all, or at most, had but a faint, confused, and glimmering idea of; nor must it be forgotten, that every new scene they behold, and every new theme they listen to, will communicate new and increasing raptures of wonder, love, and praise; and on the other hand, these very angels themselves are destined to make continual advances in their knowledge of the ways and works of God, and especially in his moral government, as pertaining to and exhibited in the dispensations of his providence and grace in connection with our world, and the redemption of mankind through the mediation, merits, and atonement of the Son of God himself. JANUARY 25. "Ye are come to an innumerable company of angels." MILLIONS of these have already been employed; and millions of them will yet be engaged in ministering to the heirs of salvation in this world. The deep interest which these benevolent spirits have ever taken in the affairs and happiness of the saints will not end here, but continue to expand through all eternity. Having watched by the dying bed, and seen the body give up the ghost, they no longer conceal themselves, but become visible to their beloved charge, and at once speed their way with the liberated soul into the kingdom of heaven. From thenceforth they will be with them as companions and fellow worshippers, as instructors and fellow helpers in the songs and services of the heavenly world. From them will the redeemed children of Adam hear continually new tales of wonder and delight; and learn of many an event that as yet never reached the ear of mortal, nor could be understood by an earthly being. And oh, how many things connected with the poor sinner's preservation, conversion, sanctification, and final perseverance will they not unfold! Nor will these tales be heard with cold indifference. Every relation will fill their listening souls with rapture, love, and praise. In all, and by all, they will be led into more exalted views, into more intense reverence, and into more inexpressible love of Him who hath loved them with an everlasting love, and who, in his loving-kindness, drew them, and held them, and saved them with an everlasting salvation; and who hath brought them unto himself, that where he is they may ever be also. JANUARY 26. "Ye are come to the spirits of just men made perfect." AND is it possible that such an assembly will admit me into their ranks? can they find any pleasure in my society, or feel any delight in imparting their minds to me? Yes, they will come forth as my brethren, and welcome me as one of the family and church of the first-born. For, however holy, happy, and perfect they may now be, it is certain, that once they were apostates, rebels, and outcasts like myself. Once they were children of wrath, because they were children of disobedience; and like myself, had they been left to the workings of their own hearts, they would have, they must have perished for ever. The same grace, that I humbly hope has renewed my heart, did turn every one of them from darkness unto light, from the power of Satan unto God. Every one of them was renewed by the divine goodness, sanctified by the mysterious influence, and cleansing inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Each individual of that happy and everblessed assembly was once lost, or in a lost condition, and every one was recovered by grace previous to being found in the kingdom of heaven. Not one among their countless myriads but was redeemed from destruction, and raised from absolute condemnation and perdition to that endless life, that holiness and glory, in which they now stand before the throne of God and the Lamb. In all these particulars we shall exhibit a likeness, and these circumstances will give an interest in every bosom for the everlasting happiness of every other redeemed companion. Oh, the unspeakable mercy of being brought to dwell for ever with the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven! JANUARY 27. “Ye are come to the spirits of just men made perfect.” Heb. xii. 23. Он, blessed assembly, made perfect in holiness, in felicity, and in love to God and to each other! "On every one of you doth the Lord Jesus look with ineffable delight, and everlasting love, as his saved and glorified children-the purchase and reward of his sufferings-the children whom God hath given him—the result of the travail of his soul, in each and in all of whose everlasting happiness he is well satisfied! Oh, happy and highly honoured assembly! Ye are the adopted children of God, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; God will acknowledge you as such, and put you in possession of an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away-an inheritance eternal in the heavens-a kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. In this character ye will behold and love each other, and feel yourselves united in bonds of intense affection and pure love, utterly surpassing any thing that ever existed before! "Made of one blood-sprung from the same loins-redeemed from sin and misery by the same Jesus-renewed by the same Spirit of God-fellow members of Christ's church-fellow travellers in the same journey to heaven-and now brought to the same glorious inheritance. Here ye will ever be of one mind and of one heart. No difference of judgment or opinion-no coldness, jealousy, or suspicion-but love, confidence, and delight in each other's glory and blessedness. Ye will be one in songs of praise-one in adoration and love to Him who sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb for ever." This, O my soul, this is the company thou art one day to join. These are the companions with whom thou art to pass an endless eternity. |