January 20

We know in part. - 1 Corinthians 13:9

HEAVEN is a state of knowledge. Everything there will be favourable to the acquisition of wisdom. It is impossible to imagine how full, extensive, and profound our future knowledge will be when that “which is perfect is come, and that which is in part shall be done away.” But the Apostle shows that it is “in part” even now, and the Christian does partake of it even now; and thus even here, says the Apostle John, “we have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things.” There is at present great restriction, but we are allowed to conceive of heaven as the scene of present knowledge perfected. The views which the Christian now has of the evil of sin, the vanity of the world, the beauties of holiness, the worth of the soul, the excellencies of the Saviour, and of the grace and glory of his character, are the same in kind though not in measure and degree as the views he will have hereafter.

The knowledge he now possesses is like to that of the saints in glory, peculiar and certain. It is not mere opinion, nor conjecture, nor yet mere reasoning. In God’s light he sees light. He can say with Paul, “I know in whom I have believed.” “We know that if the earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God.” And there is also an influence in it which others never feel, which descends from the head into the heart. Therefore is it said that God gives his people a heart to know him. “And,” said the Saviour, in his intercessory prayer, “this is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”

Heaven is thus already commenced, and though the day is hereafter, the dawn is now, and the dawn is produced by the same sun that produces the day.