III. The state of future glory and felicity.
1. The dead in the Lord are not perished, but live for ever with God in heaven : for here they appear long after their departure hence : Luke XX. 38, ' He is not the God of the dead, but of the living ; for all live unto him.' They all live to God. Though they are gone out of the sphere of our commerce, they have another life Avith God. Now fix this in your hearts, for many carry it so as if there were no immor- tality or life to come : we do not vanish into the air when we die. Moses is somewhere, and Elias somewhere, in the hand of God, and can appear when God will have them.
2. The saints appeared in a true, and in their own bodies, to estab- lish the faith of the resurrection ; their bodies were reserved for this use. One of them was already in glory in soul and body, the other now raised out of the dust after many years' burial. And why cannot God gather up our dust again and enliven it, that we may accompany Christ at his coming?
3. This instance showeth also the degrees of glory. All the saints have their portion in bliss, but not a just equality. Moses and Elias appeared in glory, not Enoch ; nor were any of the rest admitted to this solemnity. Here were three choice disciples, when the rest stood at a remote distance ; so two glorified saints, but the rest not admitted to this honour, but stood waiting for his glorious ascension. There is difference on earth in the worldly state — some have greater riches, honours, and dignity than others ; difference in the church, both in gifts and graces ; yea, a difference in hell — some have a hotter, others a cooler punisliment. So in heaven, according to eminency in holiness and faithfulness with God; otherwise there would not be a suitableness in God's dispensations.
4. The perfect subjection of the glorified spirits to the will of God, either to remain in the vision of God, or to be employed in the service of their Eedeemer. We should tliink that a self-denial which they count an happiness, to come from heaven to Mount Tabor ; they take up or lay down a body as God pleaseth. Heaven is a state not only of perfect happiness, but of exact conformity to God.
5. We shall have the company of the blessed saints in heaven. The disciples here did not only enjoy the company and sight of Christ, but the company and sight of Moses and Elias, being glorified saints. So in the heavenly life : Mat. viii. 11, it is made a part of our blessed-
Mat. XVIL 3.] Christ's transfiguration. 369
ness in the kingdom of God to ' sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ; ' and Heb. xii. 23, ' Ye are come to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.' Here we are joined to them by faith and hope ; there by sight and fellowship. The company of wicked men is now grievous and tedious to us, Ezek. ii. G ; but we shall have better company hereafter. Here we often part with our choicest friends and acquaintance, but there we shall meet and never part more. It is not to be imagined but that we shall have the comfort of our glorified fellow-creatures. The body hath its objects and felicity fit for a body,
6. The saints shall know one another, as the disciples knew Moses and Elias, though not by countenance, having never seen them before, but by revelation. Christ told them who they were, and we who have known before our old acquaintance shall know them again. Memory is not abolished, but perfected ; we shall make one body, one society. Now we shall not converse as strangers ; Abraham knew Lazarus, Luke xvi. 25. Ministers, 1 Thes. ii. 19, ' What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing ? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?' Christ's argument, Luke xvi. 9, 'Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations.' Angels know not only themselves, but all the elect now ; how else do they minister about them ? They know the least believer : Mat. xviii. 10, ' Take heed that ye offend not one of these little ones, for I say unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.' And they are at length to gather them from the four winds: Mat. xiii. 41, ' The Son of man shall send forth his angels,, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that do offend.'
7. The conference of the blessed saints. We shall be with them,, speak to them, hear them speak to us, though not after an earthly manner. We have now bodies, and so tongues and lips, which are the instruments of speech ; ears, which are the instruments of hearing. Now these would seem vain and to no purpose if there were no use of speech and hearing. It was a blessed thing for Peter, James, and John to stand by and hear the conference between Christ, Moses, and Elias : 1 Kings x. 8, ' Happy are thy men, happy are these thy ser- vants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.' Much more may it be said here.