Eye
Hath Not Seen, Nor Ear Heard
Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor. 2:9.
Those who truly love God will desire so to improve the talents that He has
given them, that they may be a blessing to others. And by and by the gates
of heaven will be thrown wide open to admit them, and from the lips of the
King of Glory the benediction will fall upon their ear like richest music,
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34). Thus the redeemed will
be welcomed to the mansions that Jesus is preparing for them. There their
companions will not be the vile of earth, but those who through divine aid
have formed perfect characters. Every sinful tendency, every imperfection,
has been removed by the blood of Christ; and the excellence and brightness
of His glory, far exceeding the brightness of the sun in its meridian splendor,
is imparted to them. And the moral beauty, the perfection of His character,
shines through them in worth far exceeding this outward splendor. They are
without fault before the great white throne, sharing the dignity and privileges
of the angels.
"Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." In view of
the glorious inheritance which may be his, "What shall a man give in
exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26). He may be poor; yet he possesses
in himself a wealth and dignity that the world could never bestow. The soul,
redeemed and cleansed from sin, with all its noble powers dedicated to the
service of God, is of surpassing worth.
To dwell
forever in this home of the blest, to bear in soul, body, and spirit, not
the dark traces of sin and curse, but the perfect likeness of our Creator,
and through ceaseless ages to advance in wisdom, in knowledge, and in holiness,
ever exploring new fields of thought, ever finding new wonders and new glories,
ever increasing in capacity to know and to enjoy and to love, and knowing
that there is still beyond us joy and love and wisdom infinite--such is the
object to which the Christian's hope is pointing.
