And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.
The final state of the saints in heaven
There is a state of happiness which the spirits of just men enter into immediately after their separation from the body, But after the resurrection and the general judgment, then the righteous shall go into life eternal.
I. The state of happiness itself. That good men shall enjoy a state of happiness in the world to come is evident.
1. From the light of nature and reason. General notion among the wiser heathens. Universal desire in mankind. The unequal distribution of things in the present state.
2. From Divine revelation.
II. The eternity of this happiness. Testimony of Scripture. (Outlines of Sermons.)
I. The parties sentenced.
II. The penalties awarded.
1. Positive infliction.
2. Incited passions.
3. Bitter reflection.
4. Painful associations.
5. Mutual recognition.
III. The perpetuity determined.
1. Necessary.
2. Just.
3. Certain. (J. Blackburn.)
For ever
Your opinion about “for ever” can have no manner of effect upon the reality of that “for ever.” A party of boatmen on the Niagara river may have a very strong opinion when they are caught by the rapids, that it is very pleasant rowing; but neither their shouts nor their merriment will alter the fact: that the world’s cataract is close at hand. You have a strong opinion that hell-fire is a delusion; that they are superstitious, and cruel, and ignorant who ask you to pause, and awake, and prepare for this coming, this continued retribution; but your opinions will not have the slightest, the remotest, the minutest influence on the tremendous fact. (Reynolds.)
Heaven and hell
I. The everlasting state of the righteous. It will consist of:
(1) Perfect knowledge;
(2)Perfect love;
(3) Perfect purity;
(4) Perfect felicity.
II. The eternal state of the wicked. Includes:
1. The privation of infinite good.
(1) They have lost heaven and all its blessedness at once.
(2) They are strangers to the endearments and consolations of friendship.
(3) Nor is there any, the smallest, rest from pain.
2. The infliction of infinite evil. Tormentors in hell:
(1) Conscience;
(2) Satan;
(3) Fellow-damned;
(4)The sufferer will be his own tormentor;
(5) Memory;
(6) Anticipation. (T. Raffles.)
The nature of true righteousness
The following four particulars are necessary to entitle us to the denomination and character of righteous men.
I. The establishment within us of good principles, and acting from them.
II. The superior efficacy of such principles within us to the efficacy of all other principles.
III. The manifestation of their superiority by avoiding all habitual guilt, and practicing all known duties; and
IV. A constant endeavour to grow better. (Richard Price.)
Eternal life
I. Eternal life, what it is.
1. It is life in the most perfect existence.
2. It is life in its fullest enjoyment. The intellect in its highest flights, the will in its most entire subjugation, and the affections, shall be fully enjoyed there.
3. It is life in its eternal duration.
II. The persons who are to enjoy eternal life-“the righteous.” They have been stripped of their own righteousness, and are clad in the righteousness of Christ. (J. H. Evans, M. A.)