THE EMPLOYMENT
"They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his
temple." Rev. 7:15
"And they sang a new song." Rev. 5:9
There is much in the employment of heaven to engage our hearts and warm our
affections. Heavenly employment is the most delightful work in which the
soul ever engaged. The redeemed will be filled with ecstasy while engaged in
celestial work. The 'rest' of heaven which we have been describing, is not a
state of inactivity. O, blessed rest, where "they rest not day and night,
saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to
come."
The mansions of glory will be filled with the sweetest melody. The
employment in which the redeemed in glory are engaged, is one that should
attract every sinner. It is one of everlasting praise and adoration. How
delightful to spend eternity in praising God- in contemplating his wonderful
works- in admiring his redeeming love! When all the redeemed are brought
home to glory, they shall serve God day and night in his temple. They shall
sing the song of Moses and the Lamb through a glorious eternity!
In heaven the saints will be meditating on the wonders of creation,
providence, and redemption. There the power, wisdom, and goodness of God, as
manifested in the works of a vast universe, will be brought to full view. In
contemplating Jehovah's mighty empire, all those radiant inhabitants of
heaven's mansions shall cast their crowns before the throne of God, and cry,
"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For
you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were
created."
Even while on earth, what pleasures are to be derived from the contemplation
of nature. With what delight have the minds of Bacon and Boyle, of Newton
and Herschel, surveyed the magnificence of creation's works. But in heaven,
the Christian, with a knowledge infinitely surpassing that possessed by any
of these eminent characters, shall range with exquisite pleasure amid the
beauties of Paradise. He shall spend eternal ages in contemplating those
wonderful works which an omnipotent arm has scattered in endless variety and
beauty around him, and which declare the glory of God, and exhibit his
power, wisdom, goodness, and love.
The beauty of the celestial universe, the charms of science, and the
pleasures of religion, will forever attract the redeemed in glory. To those
who have a proper estimate of the value and importance of natural and divine
knowledge, how attractive does that world appear where all are engaged in
contemplating the most delightful subjects that can be presented to an
immortal mind! In heaven, knowledge will have arrived at perfection. Here on
earth, we see through a glass darkly; there, face to face. Here, we know but
in part; there, we will know even as we are known.
In heaven, the providence of God over his church and people, and every
particular saint, will be beautifully exhibited, causing each heart to
exclaim, "You have done all things well." But above all, redemption will be
the chief theme of the redeemed before the throne. That glorious work,
executed on Calvary by the Son of God, will employ the souls of ransomed
saints in holy meditation through the blessed Sabbath of eternity!
With what wonder shall that happy multitude look into this mystery of love
to fallen man– the redemption of the soul! With what astonishment will they
gaze upon a crucified Savior, bearing the print of the nails and of the
spear on his glorious form. How will seraphic love and gratitude rise in the
bosoms of those who have been washed in the blood of Jesus, when they behold
Him in the midst of the throne as the Lamb who was slain for them! A
crucified Jesus will be eternally admired as the Lamb slain for the
redemption of sinners. He will receive the homage and praise of all the
redeemed through eternity. Eternity itself will be too short in which to
speak his praise; or tell his preciousness, or proclaim the vastness of his
dying love on Calvary!
This everlasting song in which all voices shall unite in melodious strains,
will be sung in the realms of glory: "Worthy! Worthy is the Lamb who 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
who sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever and ever!" In the
contemplation of redemption, the souls of the redeemed will be lost in
wonder, love, and praise. How overpowering will be the display of divine
love that shall then shine in the glorious plan of salvation! The eternal
love of the Father, in giving his Son, his only-begotten Son, to die for
sinners! The amazing love of the Son, in exchanging the throne of glory for
the cross of Calvary! The wonderful love of the Holy Spirit, in applying
redemption to the soul, will then appear in full resplendency!
How brightly will that love which was once manifested on Calvary shine in
the habitation of the redeemed, while glorified saints are employing their
noble powers in its sublime contemplation! Redemption will furnish eternal
employment for the Christian in that brighter world- his happy home. Eternal
ages of glory can never unravel the mystery of redeeming love! Redemption is
a theme on which the soul may unceasingly dwell with rapturous delight, and
discover brighter and brighter displays of divine love and glory to all
eternity! How sweet will be the study of redemption in heaven! "Concerning
this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to
you, searched intently and with the greatest care." That glorious salvation
which, "is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these
things happen," will ever be the delightful and soul-ravishing theme of the
redeemed in glory, while eternal ages roll away!
The employment of heaven will include in it UNENDING PRAISE. Eternal songs
will resound through the mansions of glory. The saints will be employed in
praising God- in admiring the beauty and glory of Him who died on Calvary
for their redemption. One theme, one song will employ every soul in glory.
It is the wondrous theme- the new song of redemption, that will draw from
their lips the loudest notes of praise. "And they sang a new song with these
words: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.
For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every
tribe and language and people and nation.'" "And they were shouting with a
mighty shout, 'Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the
Lamb!'" "And they were singing the song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb."
Such is the delightful employment of the heavenly world. Should not this
blessed work attract you? Do you not long to join with the redeemed above in
those celestial songs of praise to him who died for man? O, then, be
entreated to choose a loving Savior now; and the happy hour will soon arrive
when you shall raise your joyful voice in glory, and unite with the ransomed
of the Lord in that sweet song which has no dying cadence, and with which
the arches of heaven shall entirely resound- "All praise to him who loves us
and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us
his kingdom and his priests who serve before God his Father. Give to him
everlasting glory! He rules forever and ever! Amen!"
"Oh, holy, holy, holy Lord!
Whom angel hosts adore;
When shall I join in raptured strains?
The bright celestial choir?
In pity view a sinful worm,
A prisoner here below;
A pilgrim journeying through the land,
Of darkness, sin, and woe.
Ten thousand voices round your throne,
Unite in hymns divine;
'Salvation to the Lamb!' they cry,
As high in bliss they shine.
Fain would I now begin the song,
To you my God and Friend;
Then mingle with the choirs above,
In praise which never shall end!"