Neither Christ nor Heaven Can Be Hyperbolized!
The glory of heaven is beyond human comprehension, and we must be careful not to hyperbolize or diminish it.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the incomparable glory of heaven and the person of Christ, asserting that earthly treasures pale in comparison to the eternal joys prepared for those who love God. He illustrates that our understanding of heaven is limited, akin to a drop in the ocean, and that the joys of heaven are beyond human comprehension. Brooks quotes scripture to reinforce that the pleasures found in God's presence are eternal and abundant, urging believers to grasp the magnitude of what awaits them.
Text
What are all . . .
the silks of Persia,
the spices of Egypt,
the gold of Ophir, and
the treasures of both Indies--
compared to the glory of heaven?
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind
has conceived what God has prepared for
those who love Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9
One of the ancients says, "Our conception
of heaven, is as a little drop from the sea.
For those glorious things of heaven are . . .
so many that they exceed number,
so great that they exceed measure,
so precious that they are above all estimation!"
Says another, "Do you ask me what heaven is?
When I meet you there, I will tell you!"
Says Jerome, "Are you able to put the whole earth,
and all the waters of the sea--into a little pot? Can
you hold the oceans in your hand? Can you measure
the heavens with your fingers--or weigh the hills
and mountains with a scale? Just so, it is impossible
that you can comprehend the least of the joys of
heaven! Certainly, the least of the joys of heaven
are inconceivable and inexpressible!"
Neither Christ nor heaven can be hyperbolized!
"You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with
eternal pleasures at Your right hand!" Psalm 16:11
"They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give
them drink from Your river of delights!" Psalm 36:8
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction
- A. The glory of heaven is beyond human comprehension
- B. The Bible warns against hyperbolizing heaven and Christ
- II. The Incomprehensibility of Heaven
- A. The Bible says no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared
- B. The ancients describe heaven as exceeding number, measure, and estimation
- III. The Impossibility of Comprehending Heaven
- A. Jerome says it is impossible to comprehend the joys of heaven
- B. The least of the joys of heaven are inconceivable and inexpressible
- IV. Conclusion
- A. Neither Christ nor heaven can be hyperbolized
- B. We must be careful not to diminish the glory of heaven
Key Quotes
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him!” — Thomas Brooks
“Our conception of heaven, is as a little drop from the sea.” — Thomas Brooks
“You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We must rely on the Bible's descriptions of heaven and trust in God's promises, even if we cannot fully understand them.
- We can experience the joy and abundance of heaven now by trusting in God's presence and promises.
- We must maintain a proper perspective and avoid diminishing the glory of God.