The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-02-16

WV itLk VI NOlllllISliS = 'V''
And doubtless we shall find that
the old hymn was right, me half
has never yet been told What
are the attractions of heaven, be-
sides those which are suggested
to us by The Paradise of God,
The Holy City" The Fathers
House? Here's a most interest
ing fact in connection with the
answer: namely, that these at
fractions of heaven are no other
than such blessings as Christians
have and enjoy here and now,
though in 4 lesser degree, OF
which they here and now have Il
'foretaSte" but shall there have
and enjoy to the full. And one
who has no taste for these things
or does not enjoy them here,
would he do SO there? And is ne
being prepared for heaven? And
is he on the way to heaven? Let
us poin tout these main attrac-
tiOns of heaven, as our Father
has revealed them unto US.
There is heavenly music or
praise. Praise like that which the
shepherds heard at the birth OF
Jesus when the multitude of the
heavenly host" sang their GLORY
to God in the highest" John tells
us of great heavenly chorus of
ten thousand times ten thousand
voices. The theme of this heaven
" praise is gratitude and devo-
ton to ChriSt-"Unto Him that
loved US, and washed us from our
sins in His own blood" (Rev.
l:5). Some of the hymns which
we now sing will be sadly out of
place and out of date; such as,
Jesus Savior, pilot me
Over LIES tempestuous sea.
But we shall never cease to praise
Christ throughout the endless
ages for His redeeming love. Do
we get Joy out of such praise to
Christ here? If not, how should
we there, if we should get there?
And there is heavenly service.
Those who love Christ find then
chief Joy in serving Him; and
life is all too short for them to
do all that they would like to do
for Him. But this joy Of service
to Him is assured throughout the
endless life. We do not know what
the nature of this service Will be;
but we know that it will be. And
His servants shall serve Him.
Therefore are they before the
throne of God, and serve Him day
and night in His temple" (Rev'
%: 8; 7:15). Do we enjoy serV-
ING Christ here? If not, how
should we there, if we should get
there?
And there is heavenly rest.
There remaineth therefore rest
to the people of God" (Heb. 4:9).
And this is the idea which Is eX-
messed in the words, land there
was no more sea-" Sea in the
| Scriptures is the symbol OF un-
! rest, but the wicked are like the
troubled sea, when it cannot rest
| Isaiah ST: 20). This rest IS not
! cessation from service, for there
we shall have joyful service ana
iovfuT service is restful service;
| Il is rest from the burdens and
| cares and anxieties and fears and
trials and troubles and sorrows
and sins of earth. Jesus sald;
Come unto Me and l VIII
give YOU rest" Have we found
that rest in Him? If not, have
we come unto Him? and shall we
reach the haven of rest?
And there is the heavenly tel-
lowship. 1t is our associates more
than anything else that deter
mines our happiness here. And so
will it be there. And there our
associates from among men VIII
be only fellow-Christians, those
who know and love the Lord; 10
we enjoy Christian fellowship :
Do we like Christian people? NOT
hvpocrites but truly Christian
men and women with the gentlec
ness and meekness and warmth OF
heart or ChflSC! Do We Why
lowship with such in the service
and worship of Christ? Such are
the only kind with whom we shall
fellowship in heaven. II we 40
not enjoy such fellowship here,
would we enjoy it there?
Finally and chiefly, there is the
heavenly Christ. Throughout the
book of Revelation which lifts the
curtain upon the future life, we
find that Christ is the central sun
of heavens glory. He said, Il go
to prepare a place for YOU; and,
to those who know and love Him,
it is His presence there, more
than anything else, that makes
heaven heaven. To the Apostle
Paul, the brightest prospect of
heaven was that it was to depart
and be with Christ" The Word
says that He shall dwell among
them," and that we "shall see His
face" And He Himself said, "And
| if l go and prepare a place for