Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Caesar, after his victories, in token of honour, had a chair of ivory set for him in the senate, and a throne in the theatre; the saints, having obtained their victories over sin and Satan, shall be enthroned with Christ in the empyrean heaven. To sit with Christ denotes safety: to sit on the throne, dignity: "this honour have all the saints." In glory is a blessed rest — "there remaineth therefore a rest." A happy transit from labour to rest. Here we can have no rest, tossed and turned as a ball on a racket, "we are troubled on every side." How can a ship rest in a storm? But after death the saints get into their haven. Everything is quiet in the centre; God is "the centre where the soul doth sweetly acquiesce." A Christian, after his weary marches and battles, shall put off his bloody armour, and rest himself upon the bosom of Jesus, that bed of perfume; when death hath given the saints the wings of a dove, then they shall fly away to paradise and be at rest. (T. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. |
    |