Article 33

Of the kingdom of heaven and eternal life, we confess: that as there is a visible, perishable kingdom of this world, which, through the sins and wickedness of men, lies in darkness; of which darkness Satan, the spirit of wickedness, who works in the children of unbelief, is the supreme prince, who at last, with all his servants, will be brought to everlasting lamentation and remorse, and will perish; so also there is an eternal, immovable and invisible kingdom of heaven, of which Christ Jesus is King, Prince and Lord; in which all believers will live with God forever in everlasting joy. [n558-1] To this glorious kingdom of heaven God, through His grace and goodness, from the beginning of the world, caused the fallen human race to be called; first through His servants the prophets, and then through the Son Himself, who, leaving this His kingdom for a time, came to preach, and to invite all men to flee the shadow of this world, and to hasten to enter into this eternal rest. For this purpose the fatlings are killed, and this glorious feast is prepared; so that men are kept from making any excuse concerning the piece of land, the oxen, and the wife; but the way, door and gate is open and well prepared.

This glorious kingdom of heaven is typified and represented to us by a city full of all good things, and by the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, which is beautifully prepared by God, as a bride adorned for her husband; its streets are pure gold, and its gates and walls are built of, and beautifully adorned with, many kinds of pearls and precious stones. In this city is the glory of the Almighty God, which neither Moses on Mount Sinai nor the eyes of any mortal man were able to behold. This brightness and everlasting light will shine in this city forever and ever. Here all sorrow and mourning, cold, nakedness, hunger and thirst will be changed into everlasting, satisfying joy and comfort. This glory and joy is so exceedingly great and unspeakable that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have there entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him; and into this heavenly state, which is beyond all praise, all believers and God-pleasing persons will — at the resurrection of the dead, when their souls, which through death had become separated from the body, and until this last time were preserved in the hand of God, are reunited with their bodies — be caught up from this earthly darkness, to meet the Lord in the air.

And as a bride is received by her bridegroom, so also will all true children of God then be received with body and soul, through grace, by Christ Jesus, and be admitted to this glorious joy, where they will see God as He is, in His unspeakable glory, together with all the heavenly hosts. Then their robe of mourning, or the mortal clothing of the flesh, will be put off, and the immortal put on; and they will be clothed in white, shining garments, and together with all God's chosen ones be fed by the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world, with the hidden heavenly bread, and will eat of the tree of life, and drink out of the living fountain of water, and, being as the angels, will, with joyful tongues and mouths, in glad voices, to the honor of the Lamb, their bridegroom, sing the new song, with unspeakable, glorious joy, which no one can take away from them; but they will be kings and priests of God, and will live and reign with Christ forever and ever.

May the God of grace and mercy, and of all comfort, who has from the beginning called us to this His heavenly kingdom and glory, endow us unworthy children of men with His good Spirit, make us worthy of Him and draw us to Himself, that we may follow and run after this high prize, and by grace receive it, through Jesus Christ, and enjoy it forever. Amen.

Of the everlasting kingdom of heaven, and its King, read: "Therefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace." Hebrews 12, verse 28.

"My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here." John 18, verse 36.

"Receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks to Him who has called you to the heavenly kingdom." Second Esdras 2, verse 37; Colossians 1, verse 13; Psalm 22, verse 28.

Read further how this eternal King, Christ Jesus, at His second coming from heaven, after the dead have arisen and the eternal judgment has been held, will receive all the members of His kingdom into this His everlasting, glorious kingdom of heaven, where they will behold God in unspeakable glory. "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25, verse 34.

"But the righteous live forevermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore they will receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand." Wisdom of Solomon 5, verses 15 and 16; First Peter 5, verse 4; Second Timothy 4, verse 8; Revelation 2, verse 10; James 1, verse 12.

"Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." First Thessalonians 4, verses 17 and 18; First Corinthians 2, verse 9; First Peter 1, verse 8; John 16, verse 22.

"Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." First John 3, verse 2; Philippians 3, verses 20 and 21.

"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then you also shall appear with Him in glory." Colossians 3, verse 4.

"Your eyes shall see the King in His beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off. Your heart shall meditate terror." Isaiah 33, verses 17 and 18.

Of all who from a true faith will show forth the required spiritual virtues, and will continue to the end in this divine calling, read: "If you do these things, you shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Second Peter 1, verses 10 and 11.

Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Revelation 13, verse 10.