Our Heaven, our glory, and our portion!
(James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")
"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!" Philippians 1:23
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am!" John 14:3
We shall be forever with Christ!
Now, we have to mourn His absence. Now we exclaim, "O that I knew where I could find Him!" But He has provided something better for us—even to dwell forever in His presence, which will constitute our Heaven, our glory, and our portion!
O with what rapture shall we fix and feast our eyes upon Him, and how will the thought that we are to be forever with Him, thrill through our souls, and open ten thousand gushing streams of unutterable delight and joy! O with what joy shall we hear Him say, "Come, you who are blessed of my Father!"
The presence of Jesus will . . .
dissipate all gloom,
disperse all slavish fears,
chase away all darkness,
free from all pain,
deliver from all sorrow,
preserve from all sickness,
raise us above all temptations, and
fill us with unspeakably glorious joy.Here on earth, we may be cast down, for the way is rough and our trials are many. Here we may mourn the absence of our God, but the love of Jesus will soon rescue us, and we shall be received into His presence to abide forever!
To be with Christ, to be with Christ forever—this comprises all that we now desire, and all that we can wish!
"And so we will be with the Lord forever!" 1 Thessalonians 4:17