My dear readers,

(Extracts from “HEAVEN – a place, a city, a home” by E M Bounds in RPG March 1992, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1.  MAKE SURE OF HEAVEN! (1 Peter 1:8-15)

What wonderful Apostolic concern and fatherly love! Peter's pastoral ambition is that Christians everywhere, in every age, should "give diligence to make (their) calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (2 Pet 1:10). The Prize, our inheritance in Heaven, is so precious and priceless, no effort must be spared to secure it.

In verse 10, the Apostle exhorts to diligence as he does in verse 5. Heaven must not be left to the irresponsible efforts born of sloth and ease. The true child of Heaven must strive with unrelenting vigour to build wisely upon his foundation the rich graces of Heaven. Through the words of Peter, we hear as it were God speaking to us. "Seek to cultivate these spiritual graces and I will open to you an abounding entrance into Heaven." In seeking these heavenly graces we seek Heaven itself.

Our supreme object is the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For the Apostle Peter, it is his utmost responsibility to the flock entrusted to his care. Three times (in verses 12, 13 and 15) he stresses the absolute necessity to put his people "in remembrance" of those graces which equip for Heaven. Shortly his earthly ministry would be over. What then? Would the flock weather the storms and buffettings ahead?

"Let cares like a wild deluge come,
And storms of sorrow fall,
So I but safely reach my home,
My God, my heaven, my all.
There I shall bathe my weary soul
In streams of heavenly rest,
And not a wave of trouble roll
Across my peaceful breast"

                                           - Isaac Watts

2.  LOVE THAT REACHES TO HEAVEN (Adapted from E.M. Bounds) 1 Corinthians 13

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of love. In the chapter read today, it is pictured in language most beautiful. We gaze and admire, but rarely do we transfer to practical life this most beautiful of heavenly graces, and the most practical too. Love is not faith, though it is the medium through which faith works. It is not hope, though it forms the substance which hope colours and brightens. It is both the commonest thing, and the rarest, often on our lips, but seldom constrains our hearts, easiest to say but hardest to do.

What is the description given by the Apostle? It has passion, but neither envy nor jealousy has any place in its pure flame. It is clothed with humility, so that neither vanity nor pride inflates its heart. Unseemly conduct never mars its beauty, nor casts suspicion on its fidelity. It is never provoked to peevish irritation, nor insulted to bitter wrath. It does not suspect ill nor avenge personal wrongs. It is saddened by the triumphs of evil, but rejoices in the success of truth.
Love is free from angry excitements; it is longsuffering and self-restrained to evil. But to the good, love is ever-flowing in kindness, usefulness, and beneficence. Love is strong to bear others' burdens, believes the good, is full of hope for the best; love waits patiently, is serene and gentle, when faith and hope are almost exhausted. This is the picture of Divine Love. On these principles our Lord will reconstruct human nature. Out of no other material does He propose to complete His fair and costly building, and make His Heaven.

Without such love, Heaven will forever be out of reach. This love is of God. All believers have it (cf. Romans 5:5). Do you have it?

PRAYER: Fill my heart with Thy love, 0 Lord.

3.  THE WHITE ROBES OF HEAVEN (Isaiah 1:18; Revelation 7:9-17)

In today's vision the Apostle saw a "great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands" (Rev 7:9) See in your mind's eye this vast congregation of people all dressed in white serving God before His throne. Look hard, search diligently among the unnumbered millions, and without exception, they are all arrayed in white!

How monotonous and uninteresting, you say! Not so. Please understand, the scene is of Heaven, not of earth. Earth with its contaminating hues and motley lusts are things of the past. In Heaven only the best and absolutely pure may have a place. White is the colour of Heaven's purity and holiness. It is the "qualification" for admission to Heaven. Anything that defiles or contaminates shall in no wise enter into Heaven (Rev 21:27).

In Heaven we are admitted into another dimension, another environment. We may think of Heaven as a "protected" or "restricted" zone. Not everyone or anyone may gain admission. Securely guarded by walls and gates (Rev 21:12-27) only those who have "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (verse 14), whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev 20:15; 21:27) may enter in.

Centuries before our Lord Jesus came to earth, God sent His people an invitation: "Come now, and let us reason together ... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Come to Jesus and be washed. Let Him clothe you with the robe of His righteousness, pure and white. His invitation is still available today.

THOUGHT: No other robe and no other road: Jesus only!

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor