Ver. 9.-Rest a future portion of the Christian believer. "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." We have already spoken of the rest which is the present privilege of the Christian: "\Ve which have believed do enter into that rest." Ilut that does not satisfy all our desire and aspiration. We crave a deeper, fuller, more perfect rest than we enjoy here. The higher life at present is one of intense and, at times, almost painful longing. Without the prospect of something better than our present best, our life would not be satisfactory. "There remaineth therefore a rest [a keeping of sabbath] for the people of God." This rest which is reserved is richer, fuller, more glorious than that which is at present realized. The words used to express them suggest this. The chief meaning of 1ea.Td.1ra.11cr,s (ver. 3) is cessation, as from work, pain, et.c. The rest which it indicates is mainly negative. But cra./3/3a.T1crµ.bs (ver. 9) indicates a sabbath festal celebration, a holy keeping of sabbath; it comprises the rest of ver. 3 and considerably more. Let us consider what this sabbath rest which remains for the people of God consists in. l. lN THE ADSENCE OF ALL THOSE DISTURBmG INFLUENOES WHICH· CHARACTERIZE oon PRESENT STATE. This is the negative aspect of the rest, or what we shall rest from. 1. Rest from the struggle agai'nst sin. The people of God in heaven are more than conquerors over sin and Satan "through him that loved" them. The great tempter, and solicitation to sin, will be entirely and eternally excluded from that bright aod blessed world. " There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth," etc. 2. Rest from suffering, both physical and mental. "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more" (Rev. vii. 16, 17). "The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick." "And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes," etc. (Rev. xxi. 4). 3. Best from the mystery and burden of life. In our present state there are seasons of darkness and perplexity when trnst and hope in God involve painful effort to some souls. Snch efforts will not be demanded in the blessed hereafter. Much that to us is now obscure will then be perfectly clear. The pure light of eternity will chase away the grim shadows of time; and what is to us unknown in heaven will awaken neither dread nor doubt. 4. Best from toilsome, anxious, discouraging labour. No more men and women and children compelled to labour on long after their physical powers are tiled out. No more forcing of the brain to continued effort when it already aches wearily by reason of it,; toils. No further summons to works'of social or moral a.melioration, which must be prosecuted despite difficulty, discouragement, opposition, and seeming failure. The sabbath rest which remaineth for the people of God precludes all these things. II. lN THE PBESE.'1CE 01'1' ALL THE HARMONIOUS AND DLESSED CONDITIONS AND cm- CUMSTANCES WHICH OUB NATURE CRAVES. '!'his is the positive aspect of our rest,, or wha.t we shall rest in. 1. In the con/ormity of our character to that of God. Purity is peace. Holiness is rest. '.l.'he perfectly holy is the infinitely and ever-blessed God. The saints in heaven "have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Nor is their holiness the mere negation of moral evil, but a positive and active condition of their being. Their thoughts, sympathies, aspirations, services, are all true and pure and benevolent. They are spiritually transformed into _the image of the Lord. And in this there is rest and blessedness. "I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeuess." 2. In the progress of our being towards God. Stagnation is not rest. Stationariness is not rest; it is stillness, inaction, but not rest. But harmonious growth is both restful and joyous. One of the constituents of the fnture rest of the good is growth-growth in mind and heart and spirit, in thought, and affection, and reverence, and holy action. In endless approximation to the infinitely Holy One will man find the rest and perfection of his being. 3. In the continuous ser~ice of God. .A.s this rest is a" keeping of sabbath," it cannot mean a complete cessation of activity. foactivity is not rest. "Sloth yicldcth not happiness; the bliss of a spirit is ae;Lion. n •
"An angel's wing would droop if long at rest, Aud God himself, inactive, were no longer blcst" So tte NII(\ of the bright future that "his servants shall serve him, and they shall see OIJ, IV. 1-16.) THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 121