An interesting question! He prayed for an abundant entry into the Kingdom of God. As a child of God, he is now in the nearer presence of his Saviour whom he preached with such power and conviction. He is worshipping and adoring the Lord Jesus Christ, looking on His immaculate beauty. Do I hear him talking to Paul and Moses and Jeremiah? Do I see him prostrate before the Throne of the Ineffable? Can I hear him singing hymns of praise in that melodious Welsh male voice? Is he enjoying himself today? Yes. And he is enjoying himself primarily because he is enjoying being in the nearer presence of Christ.
Do I see him having fellowship with John Calvin and Martin Luther? He now moves over to where George Whitefield is, and with him the Wesley brothers, John and Charles. Beside them is Richard Baxter and Daniel Rowland. What a wonderful company of saints. And look, over there is John Owen now discussing with Richard Baxter, each humbled by his respective theological inaccuracies, limitations and spiritual coldness.
Jonathan Edwards comes over to DMLJ, and they start talking about Christ's glory in man's dependence on His grace for eternal salvation. Samuel Rutherford joins in as he speaks about the sheer loveliness of Christ his Redeemer. Philip Doddridge appears and sings joyfully in praise of his great Saviour. Oh, what would one not give to be there with such spiritual giants! Howell Harris and Christmas Evans and Evan Roberts are mixing with the glorified spirits in heaven, and DMLJ makes his way over towards them. Even in heaven Welshness does not seem to be eradicated.
Do I hear Cum Rhondda striking up? Yes, and Martyn is in the front row of the singers, singing his holy heart out in praise of God for His great salvation. They sing heartily and enjoy holy fellowship with each other, and with Christ.
Then there are numerous Christians there in that great company which no man can number and whose names we do not know; but they are all well known to God. He has given them the same abundant and warm welcome that the great received. And for the first time ever, they are indisputably and in reality "all one in Christ Jesus."
Oh, come, let us adore Him!
Hazlett. I think the answer to your question in the header 'What is DMLJ doing today'? must be 'nothing'. The doctrine of the ultimate 'communion of the saints', with Christ himself of course, and with one another, amongst a "multitude that no man can number", is indeed a glorious prospect. However, I suggest it does not correlate to reality "now", for the resurrection has not yet taken place!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you do not mean to teach, or to imply, that the 'resurrection is 'past already', and that dead saints are "in heaven" in some sort of intermediate state, and thereby engaging in that communion at this present time?
If Jesus himself was not glorified until after his resurrection, it can hardly be the case that when believers die they don't have to wait for their own resurrection, but at the moment of death go immediately to glory?
If that were the case one has to ask the question - What is the purpose of the resurrection?
In Scripture is not this always defined as a future event, not a present reality, as taught by Paul in 1 Cor. 15 in the great resurrection discussion of that chapter ?
The doctrine of the 'last things' and the destiny of the believer on death is a huge subject and too big to enter into detail here, but the idea that the "soul" is separated from the body, and survives to enter into "heaven" in a state of disembodied bliss is not a biblical one, but rather is derived from Platonic thought not Paul's!
Would you not say therefore that the Christian "hope" is not based upon a sentimental idea of the immortality of the "soul" separate from the body, but rather of both body and soul together being raised as a 'whole being' on the resurrection day when Christ returns. (1 Cor. 15:52,3)? Surely it is only then that the fellowship and communion of the saints of which you speak will take place?
Graham
Graham, I think Paul talks about "departing and being with Christ which is far better." Believers are, at their death, made perfect in holiness and go immediate to be with Christ; but their bodies remain in the grave until the resurrection. The Heidelberg Catechism asks, 'What comfort doth the "resurrection of the body" afford thee?'
ReplyDeleteAnswer. That not only my soul after this life shall be immediately taken up to Christ its head; but also, that this my body, being raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul, and made like unto the glorious body of Christ.
This says it well, and accords with Paul's teaching.