§ 9. (4.) The last preparative to the saint's rest, is their solemn coronation, and receiving the kingdom. For, as Christ, their Head, is anointed both King and Priest; so under him are his people _made unto God_ both _kings and priests, to reign_, and to offer praises for ever.[106] The _crown of righteousness, which was laid up for them, shall by the Lord the righteous Judge be given them at that day_.[107] They have been _faithful unto death, and therefore he will give them a crown of life_.[108] And according to the improvement of _their talents_ here, so shall _their rule_ and dignity be enlarged.[109] They are not dignified with empty titles, but real dominion. Christ _will grant them to sit with him in his throne_;[110] _and will give them power over the nations, even as he received of his Father; and he will give them the morning star_.[111] The Lord himself will give them possession with these applauding expressions: _Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord_.[112]
§ 10. And with this solemn and blessed proclamation shall he enthrone them; _Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world_.[113] Every word full of life and joy.—_Come_—this is the holding forth of the golden sceptre, to warrant our approach unto this glory. Come now as near as you will; fear not the Bethshemite's judgment; for the enemy is utterly _abolished_.[114] This is not such a _Come_ as we were wont to hear, _Come, take up your cross, and follow me_.[115] Though that was sweet, yet this much more.—_Ye blessed_—Blessed indeed, when that mouth shall so pronounce us! For though the world hath accounted us accursed, and we have been ready to account ourselves so; yet certainly _those that he blesseth, are blessed; and those whom he curseth, only are cursed, and his blessing cannot be reversed_.[116]——_Of my Father_—Blessed in the Father's love, as well as the Son's, for they _are one_.[117] The Father hath testified his love in their election, donation to Christ, sending of Christ, and accepting his ransom, as the Son hath also testified his.—_Inherit_—No longer _bondmen_, nor _servants_ only, nor _children under age_, who _differ not_ in possession, but only in title, _from servants_.[118] But now we are _heirs of the kingdom_,[119] _and joint heirs with Christ_.[120]—_The kingdom_—No less than the kingdom? Indeed, to be _King of kings, and Lord of lords_, is our Lord's own proper title: But to be _kings, and reign with him_,[121] is ours. The enjoyment of this kingdom is, as the light of the sun, each have the whole, and the rest never the less.—_Prepared for you_—God is the _Alpha_, as well as the _Omega_, of our blessedness. Eternal love hath laid the foundation. He prepared the kingdom for us, and then prepared us for the kingdom. This is the preparation of his counsel and decree; for the execution whereof Christ was yet to make a further preparation—_For you_—Not for believers only in general, who, without individual persons, are nobody; but for you personally.—_From the foundation of the world._—Not only from the promise after Adam's fall, but from eternity.