You would not like it!

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Blueridge Believer

Puritan Board Professor
You would not like it!
(J. C. Ryle, "Having the Spirit")

"Nothing impure will ever enter it" Revelation 21:27

Heaven is the place to which all people hope to go
after they die. It would be well for many, if they
considered calmly what kind of dwelling-place
heaven is. It is the habitation of the King of kings,
who is "of purer eyes than to behold iniquity."
Heaven is a holy place. It is a place where there
shall be nothing wicked, sinful or sensual; nothing
worldly, foolish, frivolous or profane.

Let the covetous man remember--there
shall be no more money in heaven.

Let the pleasure seeker remember--there
shall be no more races, theaters, novel reading,
or parties in heaven.

Let the drunkard and the gambler, remember--
there shall be no more strong drink, no more dice,
no more betting, no more cards in heaven.

The everlasting presence of God; the perpetual
doing of God's will; the complete absence of
everything which God does not approve--these
are the chief things which shall make up heaven.

For this heaven we are all by nature utterly unfit.
We have no capacity for enjoying its happiness.
We have no taste for its blessings.
We have no eye to see its beauty.
We have no heart to feel its comforts.

Instead of freedom, we would find it bondage.
Instead of glorious liberty, we would find it constant constraint.
Instead of a splendid palace, we would find it a gloomy prison.

A fish on dry land, a sheep in the water, an eagle
in a cage--would all feel more at ease and in their
place, than an unholy man in heaven.

For this heaven it is the special office of the Holy
Spirit to prepare men's souls. He alone can change
the earthly heart, and purify the corrupt worldly
affections. He alone can bring their minds into
harmony with God, and tune them for the eternal
company of saints, and angels, and Christ. He
alone can make them . . .
love what God loves,
hate what God hates,
delight in God's presence.

Let this also be written down on the tablet of your
memory. No entrance into heaven--without the Spirit
first entering your heart upon earth! No admission into
glory in the next life--without previous sanctification in
this life! No Holy Spirit in you in this world--then no
heaven in the world to come!

You would not be fit for it!

You would not be ready for it!

You would not like it!

You would not enjoy it!

"Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic
arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the
idolaters and everyone who loves and practices
falsehood." Revelation 22:15
 
Thank God for Revelation 22:17:
CH Spurgeon for June 13th AM


"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17

Jesus says, "take freely." He wants no payment or preparation. He seeks no recommendation from our virtuous emotions. If you have no good feelings, if you be but willing, you are invited; therefore come!

You have no belief and no repentance,--come to Him, and He will give them to you. Come just as you are, and take "Freely," without money and without price.

He gives Himself to needy ones. The drinking fountains at the corners of our streets are valuable institutions; and we can hardly imagine any one so foolish as to feel for his purse, when he stands before one of them, and to cry, "I cannot drink because I have not five pounds in my pocket." However poor the man is, there is the fountain, and just as he is he may drink of it.

Thirsty passengers, as they go by, whether they are dressed in fustian or in broadcloth, do not look for any warrant for drinking; its being there is their warrant for taking its water freely. The liberality of some good friends has put the refreshing crystal there and we take it, and ask no questions. Perhaps the only persons who need go thirsty through the street where there is a drinking fountain, are the fine ladies and gentlemen who are in their carriages. They are very thirsty, but cannot think of being so vulgar as to get out to drink. It would demean them, they think, to drink at a common drinking fountain: so they ride by with parched lips.

Oh, how many there are who are rich in their own good works and cannot therefore come to Christ! "I will not be saved," they say, "in the same way as the harlot or the swearer." What! go to heaven in the same way as a chimney sweep. Is there no pathway to glory but the path which led the thief there? I will not be saved that way. Such proud boasters must remain without the living water; but, "WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY."
 
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