Acts 22:11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Think of the human eye, and all the machinery connected with it. And yet the eye has limits of its power. Let some unusual strain come upon it — some burst of heavenly radiance, and the marvellous mechanism gives way. Apply the text to — I. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. 1. His eternity. "The days of our years are threescore years and ten": and my mind can easily take in the measurement of such a period. Nay, I can easily look back to the time when the first star was kindled. I have no difficulty with the most ancient of God's creatures; only tell me that they are creatures, and once began to be. But a Being who never began to be — a river of life that never had a fountainhead, this is more than I have faculties to grapple with. "I cannot see for the glory of the light." 2. His omnipresence. When the Psalmist says, "Whither shall I go from Thy spirit, or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?" etc., who is there that is not ready to cry with him, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me"? "I cannot see for the glory of the light!" 3. His other attributes: His omniscience — that there is nothing He doesn't know; His omnipotence — that there is nothing He cannot do. We have no power of vision that can bear the strain. "We cannot see for the glory of the light." II. THE DISCOVERIES OF THE GOSPEL. It is a very pleasant thing to be able to say that there is not a little child that cannot understand it. But when you inquire into its origin, its spirit, its provisions, you soon find yourself diving in deep waters. The incarnation of Christ in our inferior nature — the substitution of Christ in the place of guilty men — the love of God, that provided such a substitute, and consented to such humiliation: these are things which, the more yon ponder them, the grander and more glorious do they appear. III. THE FUTURE BLESSEDNESS OF THE WORLD. You see at once that we must change the scene. Crosses and curses tell of a world that is not blessed. See how cruel men are to themselves and to one another! See the strifes of families, of neighbourhoods, of nations; the oppression of the weak, the envy of the strong. But now hear words like these, "The nations shall be glad and sing for joy." Why? Because "none shall hurt and none destroy." Nay, more! "The tabernacle of God is with men," etc. These are not dreams, but true sayings of God. But what a picture do they raise! It is too bright — it is more than my eyes can bear! "I cannot see for the glory of the light." IV. THE FINAL HEAVEN. This seems the appropriate close of all earth's promised blessedness — indeed, the one seems to merge into the other, just as the distant sea seems to merge into the sky. Thus the last quotation is followed by "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death," etc. Little does it matter where heaven shall be, if we may but be there! It is to be with Christ — to see His glory — to be conformed to His image: this must be heaven, wherever heaven may be. Nor can I doubt that in the world where the redeemed are to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," we shall meet beloved ones who have gone before. But, oh, glorious inheritance of the saints in light! They shall be glorious in body, in soul, in surroundings, society, service, life, love, joy! But it is not for me to sketch the outline of the scene, for "I cannot see for the glory of the light." (F. Tucker, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. |
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