These notes are from an article entitled, Think About Eternity by Samuel Davies (1723-1761) found in the Free Grace Broadcaster, a publication I receive from the Chapel Library. I directly wrote or paraphrased what he wrote as I could not say it better.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Pastor Davies writes that the highest cause of “stupid unconcernedness” for both sinners (unbelievers in context) and saints is their not forming a due estimate of the things of “time” in comparison of those in “eternity”. “Our present affairs engross all our thoughts and exhaust all our activities, thought they are transitory trifles, while the awful realities of the future world are hidden from our eyes by the veil of flesh and clouds of ignorance. If these truths would break in upon our minds and take hold, “the concern of mankind would then be how they might make a safe exit out of this world and not how they may live happy in it!
This is not to say we are not to enjoy the things the Lord has given us but it is a matter of what our focus, perspective, and motivation emanates from.
“The soul in its present state is not capable of such degrees of happiness and misery” as it will be in its future state in the realm of the invisible and of eternity. “The deep sensations will be much greater in eternity” when the flesh is transformed to perfection. Pastor Davies states that “the weight of glory could not be supported by our earthly bodies.” So too, the agonies of hell and separation from God would be intolerable.
In the present, we can have happiness but it is always mixed with some sorrow and in sorrow there is always some happiness to be found. “In eternity, there is eternal separation made between good and evil, pleasure and pain, etc. There is no sorrow with joy in heaven and no relief to mitigate fury in hell.”
How much does eternity consume your being? From 01/03/2020
Comments