What a Wondrous Day that will be

"How often, Christians, have your hearts been made to burn with love and gratitude, and admiration, and joy, while Christ has opened to you the Scriptures, and caused you to know a little of that love which passeth knowledge! How often has one transient glimpse of the light of God's countenance turned your night into day, banished your sorrows, supported you under heavy afflictions, and caused you to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory!"

 

 

"Oh, then, what must it be to escape forever from error, and ignorance, and darkness, and sin, into the region of bright, unclouded, eternal day; to see your God and Redeemer, face to face; continually to contemplate, with immortal strength, glories so dazzling bright, that one moment's view of them would now, like a stream of lightening, turn your frail bodies into dust; to see the eternal volume of the divine counsels, the mighty map of the divine mind; unfold to your eager, piercing gaze; to explore the heights and depths, the lengths and breadths of the Redeemer's love, and still to see new wonders, glories and beauties pouring upon your minds, in constant, endless succession, calling forth new songs of praise; -songs in which you will unite, not, as now, with mortal companions and mortal voices, but with the innumerable choir of angels, with the countless myriads of the redeemed, all shouting with a voice like the voice of many waters, "Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!"

 

 

Payson, Edward. Legacy of a Legend. Vestavia Hills: Solid Ground Christian Books, 2001. 103-04. Print.

Unto the Praise of His Glory

^“ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” ~ Ephesians 1:3-14

     

“Ephesians 1:3-14 recounts in exalted language the saving work of God in Christ from his electing purpose and the forgiveness of sins to the gift of the Spirit.  God’s salvation, is not, however, his ultimate work.  Three times Paul explains that the redemptive benefits are for the praise of the glories of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:6,12,14). God chooses, redeems, and sanctifies so that he will be honored for his grace.” ~ Thomas Schreiner

Schreiner, Thomas. New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008. 146. Print.