"every thing which can be found on earth." Bengelius, in support of his explanation, appeals to passages in other writers, and to the fact that sun, moon, and stars are mentioned at the dissolution of the world just as they were at the creation of it, as well as to the circumstance that in 2 Pet. 3: 10, there is a specific mention of the earth (ή γη και τα εν αυτή εργα). The whole of this change is, in Systematic Divinity, termed consummatio seculi.

XVIII. The burning elements shall be dissolved-the earth shall be burned-the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved. 2 Pet. 3: 7, 10-12, στοιχεία καυσομενα λυθησεται (τηκεται)—γη κατακαησεται-ουρανοι πυρούμενοι λυθήσονται.

XIX. Rom. 8:21. (see Ill. 16.) That those things may remain which cannot be shaken-there shall be no more death, for the former things are passed away. Heb. 12: 27, iva μɛivy ta μη σαλευόμενα. Rev. 21: 4, θανατος ουκ εσται ετιότι τα πρωτа αлηiðov. Rom. 8: 21. (see Ill. 16.)

XX. A new heaven and a new earth--I make all things new. Rev. 21: 1, ουρανος καινος και γη καινη. 2 Pet. 3: 13.

XXI. Matth. 5: 12, ovoavos heaven. (comp. with v. 3, 10.) 19:23, Baoilɛia twv ovgavwv kingdom of heaven. (compare v. 23.) 6: 20. (comp. with 33.) Luke 12: 33, 32.

XXII. By kingdom of God-[kingdom of heaven], is in this place, meant especially that part of the universal empire of God which shall be the residence of his faithful subjects after the resurrection. 1

XXIII. Matth. 13: 38, 41, 43. The earth, xooμos, shall then, after it has been purified, constitute that part of the kingdom of Christ and of God (Eph. 5: 5, βασιλεια Χριστου και θεου Rev. 11: 15, βασιλεια του κυριου ήμων και του Χριστου

1 Dissert. De notione regni coelestis, p. 36.

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αυτου) in which the righteous shall shine, οἱ δικαιοι λαμψουσι. Here also shall the righteous enjoy heavenly possessions (1 Pet. 1: 4. Col. 1: 5. 3: 1, 2. Heb. 10: 34), just as they did in the other parts of the empire of God, which they inhabited before the resurrection of the dead and renovation of the earth. For, their new residence in the kingdom of God is intimately connected with those portions of it which they formerly inhabited. Heb. 12: 28, παραλαμβανοντες βασιλειαν ασάλευτον “ as we are removed into a kingdom which cannot decay." In the Dissert. de regno coelesti,1 it is remarked, that by "the unchangeable kingdom," may be meant the new heaven and the new earth, to which allusion is made in v. 26. comp. 1 Pet. 3: 13. Rev. 21: 3, ἡ σκηνη του θεου μετα των ανθρωπων. ν. 1, 2, the new Jerusalem which cometh down from heaven to earth. XXIV. Your names are written in heaven-our walk is in heaven, whence also we expect the Saviour-and seated us together in the heavens. Luke 10: 20. Phil. 3: 20. Ephes. 2: 6. All these expressions designate citizens of heaven. Heb.

12:22.

XXV. Our bodies shall be "heavenly-the image of the heavenly—a building of God—a house in the heavens--heavenly habitation." 1 Cor. 15: 48. 2 Cor. 5: 1 &c. That the ex.pressions "heavenly," "in the heavens," and "from heaven" are synonymous, is shown in the Dissert. de Vita Beata, Note 20. Like the angels of God-who always see the face of their heavenly Father. Luke 20: 36. Matth. 22: 30.

XXVI. Matth. 25: 34. comp. 13: 41. (Ill. 23.) Gen. 1: 26, they (men) shall govern the whole earth. Ps. 115: 16, God gave the earth to man.

XXVII. We await a new earth--we shall reign on the

earth-I will write upon him the name of the new Jerusalem, which cometh down from heaven. 2 Pet. 3: 13. Rev. 5: 10. 3: 12. 21: 1--3.1

§ 62.

Future growth of the blessed in intellectual strength and moral excellence.

The blessed spirits shall, as well previously to the resurrection as subsequently (1) to it, be favoured (2) with the peculiar presence of Christ (3), and thus (4) of God (5). In this situation under the special influence of Christ, and in the very advantageous circumstances in which the righteous shall be placed in the future world (6), they will not only be delivered from that natural depravity with which they were formerly infected (7); but their holy dispositions will be confirmed (8), and the ardor of their zeal be still more increased, by the success of the plans in which they are engaged (9). Thus, not only does the society of perfectly pure (10) men (11) and angels (12) prove a source of contentment and pleasure; but it is also an important auxiliary to our advancement in intellectual and moral excellence (13). And the glorious possessions of the future world in general (14), which the blessed shall themselves enjoy, and over which they shall be governors for the benefit of others (15), will afford them numerous opportunities for the exercise of their love (16) and fidelity (17), as well as for advancing in that knowledge and

1 Michaelis Dogmatik, S. 719; and Opusc. Acad. Vol. III. p. 13.

adoration of God, which constitute a large portion of their felicity (18).

ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. That the advantages of the blessed in their state before and after the resurrection, which are mentioned in this section, will actually be enjoyed by them, is proved in the Dissert. de Vita Beata, p. 23, 27, § IV. See also § 60. Ill. 9.

II. Rev. 7: 15, they are before the throne of God. v. 17, the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them. 21: 3, 22. 22: 3-5.

1

III. John 14:3, that where I am ye may be also. 1 Thess. 4: 17, we shall be ever with the Lord. v. 14, God will lead the dead (in the Lord Jesus) with him (Jesus) where he is. 1 John 3: 2, οψόμεθα αυτον καθως εστι we shall see him as he is. The pronoun "him" refers to Jesus, who, we are told here as well as 2: 28, shall appear, and who is spoken of also in 3: 3, 5. (see § 42, and the work on the Object of the Gospel of John &c. p. 205). This passage, as well as the two preceding, refers to the perfected condition of the blessed, after the resurrection; but their state immediately after death is spoken of in 2 Cor. 5: 8, to be at home with the Lord. The following passages refer to both: John 17: 24, I will that those whom thou givest me, be with me where I am. 12: 26, where I am, there also shall my servant be. v. 24. v. 32, I will draw all unto me ["I will make all men my servants, without respect of nation, and bring them to the place whither I now go."] Heb. 12: 14, without holiness no man shall see the Lord.

IV. John 14: 6-9, he that hath seen me, hath seen the Father.

1 Dissert. in Epistolas Pauli minores, p. 29, 30. 2 Ueber den Zweck Johannis, S. 18.

V. John 14: 2, In my Father's house. Matth. 5: 8, they shall see God. God is indeed, himself inaccessible and invisible, aлooσiros, aopaτos (1 Tim. 6:16. 1:17). Still he may give to the citizens of heaven, many evidences of his presence (Matth. 18: 10) which are given to none on earth. He has revealed himself in the most perfect manner, since the time that Christ appeared as man,--the most perfect revelation of the divine nature to man, is found in his eternal union to a rational creature, in so close a manner that he himself is seen in this creature.1

VI. The reader may consult the work on the Object of the Death of Christ, p. 580, where the very important influence of the new situation into which the inhabitants of heaven are placed, is discussed.

VII. Ephes. 5: 27, that he might present to himself the church having neither spot nor wrinkle. The soul of the blessed is delivered by death from the disordered body. Rom. 7: 23. § 56. Ill. 1. 2 Cor. 5: 8. And the body, which is subsequently united to the soul, is renovated (1 Cor. 15: 42), and thereby purified from all its former imperfection (Rom. 8:23), and qualified for participation in that better life to come, and in that gracious influence of Christ which is not found in this life. 2 Cor. 5: 6. 1 Cor. 15: 44-49.

VIII. 2 Tim. 4: 6-8. Comp. Нeb. 12: 23, пvεvμaτa δικαιων τετελειωμενων “ the spirits of the blessed, who have reached the object of their earthly career and education.”Comp. Rev. 3: 12, ο νικων—και εξω ου μη εξελθη ετι. From these passages we may infer, that in the world to come our exertions for improvement in moral excellence, will not be accompanied with dangers and sacrifices; and consequently, that our

1 Ueber den Zweck Johannis, 105.