What is heavenly reward like? Thoughts from Jonathan Edwards
Monday, June 5, 2006
We hear alot, in sermons and in reading the Bible, about reward in heaven. But what does it consist of? I heard it explained at one time, I think by John Piper quoting Jonathan Edwards, so I ransacked Google to find it. Finally I turned up a page entitled "The Glory of Heaven", which is not by Edwards, but quotes him, and so I have entered this piece, which states the same analogy I once heard, because it presents itself well to me:
"..."For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, whether good or bad."... It is apparent that free rewards are promised to believers in glory which will be equivalent to what we have done in our labors for the Lord here on earth....
Other Scriptures state quite clearly that a difference will be made between believers in glory. Daniel is told that "those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3)... This is plainly taught in the parable of the talents as well, where one man was put in authority over ten cities and another over five (Luke 19:12-19).
(Now here's the analogy that I liked):
"The saints are like so many vessels of different sizes cast into a sea of happiness where every vessel is full: this is eternal life, for a man to have his capacity filled. But after all tis left to God's sovereign pleasure, tis His prerogative to determine the largeness of the vessel."[Jonathan Edwards] Each person will be filled to their capacity with blessedness and joy. None will lack anything. But there will be those who have a greater capacity for joy than others. Christopher Love explains: "Though there be degrees of glory, yet this doth not imply, that there shall be defects or want (lack) of glory in heaven to any glorified persons, but every person shall be as full of glory as he can hold, or is capable of. Perkins explains it by a clear demonstration. Take a little vessel and a great vessel, and cast both these into the sea, both these vessels will be full, yet there is not [as much] in the little vessel as in the great, though both are full. So, saith he, the godly are like two vessels, yet one, by reason of the enjoyment of God, is more capacious (spacious) to take in more of God than the other is, yet the least saint shall be full of glory; he that hath least glory, shall have glory sufficient, though not glory equal with some glorified saints: so that degrees of glory doth not argue any defect in those persons that have less glory than others have."...Jonathan Edwards believed that the degree of glory or reward would be determined by four factors: degrees of grace and holiness here, degree of good that is done, self-denial and suffering, and eminency in humility... ".
I cannot think of any better analogy of eternity and its rewards than this one of jars in a sea.
We hear alot, in sermons and in reading the Bible, about reward in heaven. But what does it consist of? I heard it explained at one time, I think by John Piper quoting Jonathan Edwards, so I ransacked Google to find it. Finally I turned up a page entitled "The Glory of Heaven", which is not by Edwards, but quotes him, and so I have entered this piece, which states the same analogy I once heard, because it presents itself well to me:
"..."For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, whether good or bad."... It is apparent that free rewards are promised to believers in glory which will be equivalent to what we have done in our labors for the Lord here on earth....
Other Scriptures state quite clearly that a difference will be made between believers in glory. Daniel is told that "those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3)... This is plainly taught in the parable of the talents as well, where one man was put in authority over ten cities and another over five (Luke 19:12-19).
(Now here's the analogy that I liked):
"The saints are like so many vessels of different sizes cast into a sea of happiness where every vessel is full: this is eternal life, for a man to have his capacity filled. But after all tis left to God's sovereign pleasure, tis His prerogative to determine the largeness of the vessel."[Jonathan Edwards] Each person will be filled to their capacity with blessedness and joy. None will lack anything. But there will be those who have a greater capacity for joy than others. Christopher Love explains: "Though there be degrees of glory, yet this doth not imply, that there shall be defects or want (lack) of glory in heaven to any glorified persons, but every person shall be as full of glory as he can hold, or is capable of. Perkins explains it by a clear demonstration. Take a little vessel and a great vessel, and cast both these into the sea, both these vessels will be full, yet there is not [as much] in the little vessel as in the great, though both are full. So, saith he, the godly are like two vessels, yet one, by reason of the enjoyment of God, is more capacious (spacious) to take in more of God than the other is, yet the least saint shall be full of glory; he that hath least glory, shall have glory sufficient, though not glory equal with some glorified saints: so that degrees of glory doth not argue any defect in those persons that have less glory than others have."...Jonathan Edwards believed that the degree of glory or reward would be determined by four factors: degrees of grace and holiness here, degree of good that is done, self-denial and suffering, and eminency in humility... ".
I cannot think of any better analogy of eternity and its rewards than this one of jars in a sea.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. - Psalm 16:11 ESV
posted by Alyssa Faith at 8:46 AM
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