Heaven Would Be a Very Hell
The presence of God in heaven would be unbearable for those who are not holy, exposing their sinful nature and desires.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that for an unholy heart, heaven would feel like hell due to its purity and holiness, which are contrary to their desires. He points out that while unholy souls may seek heaven for relief from earthly troubles, they lack the true longing for the divine presence and holiness that heaven embodies. The sermon warns that the company and activities in heaven are entirely holy, making it undesirable for those who cling to sin and reject God's ways. Ultimately, Brooks calls for self-examination regarding one's desires for heaven and the nature of one's heart in relation to God.
Text
"Yet they say to God--Leave us alone! We have no
desire to know Your ways." Job 21:14
Heaven would be a very hell to an unholy heart.
If now--the presence of God in His servants, and the
presence of God in His ordinances--is such a hell to
unholy souls; ah, what a hell would the presence of
God in heaven be--to unholy hearts!
It is true, an unholy heart may desire heaven--as
it is a place of freedom from troubles, afflictions,
oppressions, vexations, etc., and as it is a place of
peace, rest, ease, safety, etc. But this is the least
and lowest part of heaven.
To desire heaven as it is . . .
a place of purity,
a place of grace,
a place of holiness,
a place of enjoying God, etc.
--is above the reach of an unholy heart.
The company of heaven are all holy,
the employments of heaven are all holy,
the enjoyments of heaven are all holy--
therefore heaven would be a most undesirable
thing to unholy hearts.
An unholy heart is no way desirous nor ambitious
of such a heaven . . .
as will rid him of his darling sins,
as will make him conformable to a holy God,
as will everlastingly divorce him from his precious lusts,
as will link him forever to those gracious souls whom
he has scorned, despised, and persecuted in this world.
Sermon Outline
- Heaven Would Be a Hell to Unholy Hearts
- The Desire for Heaven is Misguided
- The Undesirability of Heaven to Unholy Hearts
- The Presence of God in Heaven is a Hell to Unholy Souls
- The True Nature of Heaven
- Heaven as a Place of Freedom
- Heaven as a Place of Purity and Holiness
- The Holy Company of Heaven
- The Holy Employments and Enjoyments of Heaven
Key Quotes
“Heaven would be a very hell to an unholy heart.” — Thomas Brooks
“An unholy heart is no way desirous nor ambitious of such a heaven . . . as will rid him of his darling sins,” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- A true desire for heaven requires a desire for purity, holiness, and enjoying God.
- An unholy heart cannot truly desire heaven, as it would require them to rid themselves of their sins and conform to a holy God.
- Heaven is a place of holy company, employments, and enjoyments, which is beyond the reach of an unholy heart.