III. To consider the ground of this desire
III. To consider the ground of this desire
What it was that raised, moved, encouraged, increased, and continued it; to be with Christ. To be with saints in a perfect, glorified state, is much; to be with the holy angels, more; but to be with Christ, is best of all; and which is to be understood, not to the exclusion of the Father and of the Spirit, for these three are one; and where the one is, the others are; and he that is with one, is with them all; and in the ultimate state of glory, God, Father, Son, and Spirit, will be all in all; but Christ is only mentioned, as being in our nature, in heaven, and the medium of all glory and happiness there, as of all grace here; and as being dear to the apostle, and so to all the saints; having done and suffered so much for them, standing in such relations to them, and bearing and performing such offices for them; as well as by reason of the glory and loveliness of his person, and his exceeding great love to them.
There is a nearness between Christ and his people now; they are in him, and he is in them; they are chosen in him, and blessed in him with spiritual blessings; they are created in him unto good works; they are brought to believe in him, and are in him as branches in the vine, and bring forth fruit; and he is formed in their hearts, and lives in them: it is not so much they that live spiritually, as it is Christ that lives in them; he dwells in their hearts by faith, and they in him; and hence they have communion with him, both in a private, and in a public way; when they are alone in their closets, or in secret meditation and ejaculations of mind, when in their families, and in conversation with christians, and when hearing the word, and attending on ordinances: sometimes they are with him in his chamber above, where he brings them, and they remember his love; and sometimes in his banqueting-house, with other saints, where they sit under his shadow with great delight, tasting the sweetness of his precious fruits; and where he sits with them at his table; bids them welcome, and they enjoy his gracious presence and desirable company; but then he is but as a wayfaring man, who continues but for a short time; wherefore being in the body, though fellowship with Christ is sometimes had, is reckoned no other than absence from the Lord; but after death there is an immediate being with Christ; the separate soul is at once with him in paradise, where it remains until the resurrection-morn; and then, the glorified saint, in soul and body, being reunited, lives with Christ a thousand years on earth; and when the term is up, it reigns with him forever end ever in heaven; and so shall be for ever with the Lord, enjoying uninterrupted communion with him.
Now this is what the apostle desired to die for, that he might be with the Lord in this sense; and this is the sum of Christ’s prayers and intercessions for his people, that they might be with him, and behold his glory; and this is the design, the end and issue of his preparations for them, that where he is, they may be also; and herein lies the happiness of the saints, and great it is to be with such a glorious person as Christ, whose glory is the glory of the only-begotten of the father; who is the brightness of his father’s glory, and the express image of his person; is in the form of God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with him; is possessed of all divine perfections, the fulness of the godhead dwelling bodily in him; and is King of kings, and Lord of lords. To be with one that stands in such near relations to them, as their everlasting father, that bears an everlasting love to them, takes an everlasting care of them, and makes everlasting provisions for them; their tender husband, who nourishes and cherishes them as his own flesh; their near kinsman; their brother, and first-born among many brethren; and who is their dearly-beloved friend, a friend that loves at all times, and sticks closer than a brother; to be with such a person must needs be desirable; to be with one that has sustained such offices for them, who is the only mediator between God and man; is their prophet, to teach and instruct them, as he does by his word and spirit; their priest, to atone for their sins, and make intercession for them; their king, to rule over them, defend and protect them, the head of the church and over all things to it, the Savior of the body, and the Redeemer of their souls from destruction, is worth dying for: to be with one who has done and suffered so much for them, who became their surety in eternity, made a covenant with his Father on their account; assumed their nature in the fullness of time; was made under the law; obeyed its precept; and suffered its penalty; bore their sins, and was made sin and a curse for them; shed his blood, and washed them from their sins in it, and made them kings and priests to God; to see and be with such a person, and that forever, must be esteemed an happiness indeed; and as such to be desired and even death, in order to it. If his gracious presence now is so desirable as to be preferred to all things in life, and as filling with a joy that creatures cannot give; how much more to be desired is the presence of Christ in heaven, where are fullness of joy, and pleasures for evermore? To be with Christ, is not only the believer’s gain and profit, but it will be for his honor and glory; he will be where his Lord and Master is; he will appear in glory with him; he will walk with him in white apparel, being worthy through his worthiness; yea, he will sit down upon the same throne with him, and reign with him, and be glorified together. And this leads me,