That shining city of the great King is a place of active service. Ransomed souls serve him day and night in his temple. They never stop fulfilling the good pleasure of their King. They always rest—free from anxiety and care—but they never rest in laziness or inactivity. No, in heaven, rest and service kiss each other.

Jerusalem the golden is the place of communion with all God's people. We will sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in eternal fellowship. We will share high conversation with the noble host of the elect, all reigning with the One who by his love and his mighty arm has brought them safely home. We will not sing solos. No! In heaven we will praise our King in one vast, eternal chorus.

Heaven is a place of victory fully realized. Listen, Christian! Whenever you have won a victory over your lusts—whenever, after brutal struggle, you have killed a temptation and left it dead at your feet—in that moment you taste a drop of the ocean of joy that waits for you. Soon the Lord will crush Satan under your feet, and you will find yourself more than a conqueror through him who loved you.

Paradise is a place of absolute security. When you experience the full assurance of faith here on earth, you hold in your hands the pledge of that glorious security that will be yours when you become a perfected citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem.

O my sweet home, Jerusalem! Happy harbor of my soul! Even now I thank the One whose love has taught me to ache for you. But how much louder will my thanks ring through eternity when I finally possess you!

My soul has tasted of the grapes, and now it longs to go where my dear Lord his vineyard keeps and all the clusters grow.

Upon the true and living vine my famished soul would feast, and banquet on the fruit divine— an everlasting guest.