All these glories but faintly represent heaven. The saints are there at rest, yet it is not a state of sleep and idleness they have communion, not only with God, but with one another. The saints in heaven tread gold under foot. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. Christ is the Pearl of great price, and he is our Way to God. Heaven has gates there is a free admission to all that are sanctified they shall not find themselves shut out. These foundations are set forth by twelve sorts of precious stones, denoting the variety and excellence of the doctrines of the gospel, or of the graces of the Holy Spirit, or the personal excellences of the Lord Jesus Christ. The foundation of the wall the promise and power of God, and the purchase of Christ, are the strong foundations of the safety and happiness of the church. This city is vast here is room for all the people of God. Heaven is a safe state those who are there, are separated and secured from all evils and enemies. The change of emblems from a bride to a city, shows that we are only to take general ideas from this description. The subject of the vision is the church of God in a perfect, triumphant state, shining in its lustre glorious in relation to Christ which shows that the happiness of heaven consists in intercourse with God, and in conformity to him. Those who would have clear views of heaven, must get as near to heaven as they can, on the mount of meditation and faith. Sometimes they sound the trumpet of Divine Providence, and warn a careless world sometimes they discover things of a heavenly nature of the heirs of salvation. Verses 9-21 God has various employments for his holy angels. The agonies and terrors of the first death will lead to the far greater terrors and agonies of eternal death. The fearful durst not meet the difficulties of religion, their slavish fear came from their unbelief but those who were so dastardly as not to dare to take up the cross of Christ, were yet so desperate as to run into abominable wickedness. The sanctifying consolations of the Holy Spirit prepare for heavenly happiness they are streams which flow for us in the wilderness. But the joys which Christ imparts are like waters springing from a fountain, pure, refreshing, abundant, and eternal. Sensual and sinful pleasures are muddy and poisoned waters and the best earthly comforts are like the scanty supplies of a cistern when idolized, they become broken cisterns, and yield only vexation. God gives his titles, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, as a pledge for the full performance. If we are willing and desirous that the gracious Redeemer should make all things new in order hearts and nature, he will make all things new in respect of our situation, till he has brought us to enjoy complete happiness. They have often been in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church but no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain. All effects of former trouble shall be done away. The presence of God with his people in heaven, will not be interrupt as it is on earth, he will dwell with them continually. Its blessedness came wholly from God, and depends on him. This new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, the church triumphant. There will be no sea this aptly represents freedom from conflicting passions, temptations, troubles, changes, and alarms from whatever can divide or interrupt the communion of saints. The old world, with all its troubles and tumults, will have passed away. Verses 1-8 The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly. (9-21) Its perfect happiness, as enlightened with the presence of God and the Lamb, and in the free access of multitudes, made holy. (1-8) Its heavenly origin, glory, and secure defence. A new heaven, and new earth: the new Jerusalem where God dwells, and banishes all sorrow from his people.
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