Heaven, A World of Love

The following outline is summary statements taken from the writings of Jonathan Edwards. This particular writing is called "Heaven, a World of Love" and was a part of his sermon series on 1 Corinthians 13, otherwise known as the "Love" chapter in the Bible. These writings can also be found as the last chapter in a book called "Charity and its Fruits" by Jonathan Edwards. I found it to be an encouraging, hopeful and convicting read. I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about heaven, or aspiring to be more heavenly minded. In my research, I also was able to find a website that actually has the whole chapter online. Click here to read it for yourself.

1. God and His Love fills Heaven. The very light that shines in and fills that world, is the light of love, for it is the shining of the glory of the Lamb of God, that most wonderful influence of lamb-like meekness and love that fills the heavenly Jerusalem with light.
2. Everything in Heaven is Lovely… There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination –Rev. 21:27.
3. Everything in Heaven is Perfect… Often there is in good men on earth some defect of temper, or character, or conduct, that mars the excellence of what otherwise would seem most amiable; and even the very best of men, are, on earth, imperfect. But it is not so in heaven. No moral or natural defect shall ever enter there; and there nothing will be seen that is sinful or weak or foolish; nothing, the nature or aspect of which is coarse or displeasing, or that can offend the most refined taste or the most delicate eye.
4. There dwells the longed-for delights of the Saints on earth…The things which were so dear to them that they were ready for the sake of them to undergo the severest sufferings, and to forsake even father, and mother, and kindred, and friends, and wife, and children, and life itself… Every gem which death rudely tears away from us here is a glorious jewel for ever shining there; every Christian friend that goes before us from this world, is a ransomed spirit waiting to welcome us in heaven.
5. Everyone that lives there is full of love… The heart of God is the original seat or subject of love… and from God, love flows out toward all the inhabitants of heaven. In the first place, toward his only-begotten Son… an infinite and eternal mutual, holy, energy between the Father the Son… And the saints and angels are secondarily the subjects of holy love, not as those in whom it is as in an original seat, as light is in the sun, but as it is in the planets, that shine only by reflected light… and the light of their love is reflected in the first place, and chiefly, back to its great source; and in the second place to each other.
6. This love is pure and perfect. [the rest of the points flow from this point-I had trouble formatting]
   
7. The Saints that are highest in glory will be the lowest in humbleness of mind, for their superior humility is part of their superior holiness.
8. No inhabitants of that blessed world will ever be grieved with the thought that they are slighted by those that they love, or that their love is not fully and fondly returned.
9. They shall have no fear that the declarations and professions of love are hypocritical; but shall be perfectly satisfied of the sincerity and strength of each other’s affections, as much as if there were a window in every breast, so that everything in the heart could be seen.
10. The saints in heaven shall have no difficulty from the dullness and heaviness that our lives trapped in these earthly bodies now have in expressing all of their love.
11. There shall be no indecent or unwise or harsh speeches or actions—no foolish and sentimental fondness—no needless overbearing—no low or sinful propensities of passion—and no such thing as affections clouding or deluding reason, or going before or against it.
12. There shall be no disunion between the saints through difference of temper, or manners, or circumstances, or from various opinions, or interests, or feelings, or alliances; but all shall be united in the same interests, and all alike allied to the same Savior, and all employed in the same business, serving and glorifying the same God.
13. The inhabitants will all be related to each other as brethren.
14. All shall have property and ownership in each other.
15. On earth, those that love each other become, by their very love, sharers in each other’s afflictions, so that each has not only his own trials to bear, but those also of his afflicted friends. But there shall be no adversity in heaven… rather they shall enjoy one another’s love in the greatest prosperity, and in glorious riches and comfort, and in the highest honor and dignity, reigning together in the heavenly kingdom—inheriting all things, sitting on thrones, all wearing crowns of life, and being made kings and priests unto God for ever.
16. There shall be none there to tempt any to dislike or hatred; no busybodies, or malicious adversaries, to make misrepresentations, or create misunderstanding, or spread abroad any evil reports, but every being and every thing shall conspire to promote love, and the full enjoyment of love.
17. We shall never be weary of the exercises or expressions of love, never be bogged down by its enjoyments. The beloved objects will never grow old or disagreeable, so that their love shall at last die away. All in heaven shall flourish in immortal youth and freshness. Age will not there diminish any one’s beauty or vigor; and there love shall abide in every one's heart… as a flame that never dies away.
18. None shall ever come short, or turn aside from the way of holiness in the least degree, but every feeling and action shall be perfect in itself and in all its circumstances.
19. This holy and humble Christian love will banish all disturbance, and sweetly compose and bring rest to our spirits, and make all divinely calm and sweet and happy.