Hebrews 11:15-16 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from where they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.… I. THE REVELATION CONCERNING HEAVEN. 1. A heavenly place. Habitation of God. 2. A state. II. IN WHAT RESPECTS IS IT A BETTER COUNTRY THAN THIS? 1. It is a sinless country. 2. It is a healthful country. 3. It is a country inhabited by perfect beings. 4. It is a country of better enjoyments. III. THE DESIRE WHICH ALL TRUE BELIEVERS HAVE FOR ITS POSSESSION. Others may wish, but the true Christian really desires it. This desire — 1. Is formed in regeneration, Born for and from above. New nature tends upwards. 2. Is cultivated by sanctifying grace. Growing in grace is growing in meetness, &c. 3. Is heightened by spiritual visits to it. He ascends in prayer, in faith, in hope. 4. Is exhibited in holy diligence to obtain it. He labours to enter; he gives all diligence. Application: 1. This better country is offered to all who will set out on the heavenly pilgrimage. 2. How truly blest are all the children of the heavenly Zion. 3. There is a worse country, the world of woe, of darkness, of despair, of endless death. Flee from it now. (J. Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. |