John 17:24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Some foolish folk talk about the saints being put away for a while into some purgatorial "limbo" in order that they may be made ready for heaven but Christ speaks not so, he says, "I will that they be with me where I am." We care not to answer curious questions about the disembodied state, it is enough for us that Christ knows all, and that we shall be with him for ever.
What shall be the occupation of those who are with Christ? "That they may behold my glory." There will be something worth looking at, something to be delighted with for ever and ever: "the glory which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." So God must have loved his people before the foundation of the world, for he hast loved them as he has loved his Son. There was no beginning and there shall be no end to the Father’s love to his people; he says to each one of them, "I have loved thee, with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Here are waters to swim in, plunge into them, and revel in the bliss they are meant to convey to all who are in Christ Jesus.
John 17:24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Some foolish folk talk about the saints being put away for a while into some purgatorial "limbo" in order that they may be made ready for heaven but Christ speaks not so, he says, "I will that they be with me where I am." We care not to answer curious questions about the disembodied state, it is enough for us that Christ knows all, and that we shall be with him for ever.
What shall be the occupation of those who are with Christ? "That they may behold my glory." There will be something worth looking at, something to be delighted with for ever and ever: "the glory which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." So God must have loved his people before the foundation of the world, for he hast loved them as he has loved his Son. There was no beginning and there shall be no end to the Father’s love to his people; he says to each one of them, "I have loved thee, with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Here are waters to swim in, plunge into them, and revel in the bliss they are meant to convey to all who are in Christ Jesus.