glorious triumphs and sparkling crowns. In other kingdoms there is
wonderful is that place where the blessed Deity shines forth in his immense glory, infinitely beyond the comprehension of angels!
2. The kingdom of heaven is a place of HONOR. There are glorious triumphs and sparkling crowns. In other kingdoms there is but one king—but in heaven, all are kings! Rev 1:6. Every glorified saint partakes of the same glory as Christ does. "The glory which you gave me, I have given them." John 17:22.
3. This kingdom is a place of JOY. "Enter into the joy of your Lord." Matthew 25:21. To have a continual aspect of God's lovely face, to be crowned with immortality, to be as holy as the angels, to drink of the rivers of pleasure forever—this will cause raptures of joy! Surely it deserves our utmost pains to pursue and to secure this kingdom. If we will not take pains for the kingdom of heaven—what kingdom will we take pains for? It was the speech of the spies to their brethren, "We have seen the land, and it is very good. You should not hesitate to go and take possession of it." Judg 18:9. We have had a lively description of the glory of heaven, we find the kingdom is very good; why then do we sit still? Why do we not put forth our utmost zeal and industry for this kingdom? The diligence of others in seeking after earthly kingdoms, shames our coldness and indifference in pursuing after the kingdom of heaven!
(4) The time we have to make sure of the heavenly kingdom, is very short and uncertain. "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes away!" James 4:14. Take heed it does not slip away before you have prepared for the kingdom. Time passes on apace! It will not be long before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Eccl 12:6. The skull wherein the brains are enclosed, is a bowl which will soon be broken. Our soul is in the body, as the bird in the shell,