The Inhabitant Shall Not Say, I Am Sick

Isaiah 33:24 presents two principal circumstances constituting the bliss of heaven. First, there is no sorrow in heaven. "The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick." In this world, ruined by sin, the whole head is sick and the whole heart faint. Every child of Adam exclaims, "I am sick!" Some suffer bodily sickness. Others endure hearts made sick by hope deferred, rash wishes, and continual disappointments. Still others bear spiritual sickness—the indwelling sin that suggests evil, the tempter recommending forbidden pleasures, the apostate world that reviles and persecutes God's friends. Yet memory itself, which will accompany the soul into its heavenly habitation, poses no threat to felicity. A deep sense of unworthiness will remain—even the sinless angels feel this—but the painful sense of guilt will be forever excluded.

Second, there is no condemnation in heaven. "The people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity." The forgiveness of sin will be more certain than earthly believers can experience. More importantly, forgiveness will be more complete—not merely the remission itself, but the full consequences of that remission realized. God laid bare His arm when Jerusalem stood in extremis, bringing deliverance for His people. Present pardon of sin must be conscious and enjoyable, or thoughtful minds would know no joy. Forgiveness begets gratitude; gratitude creates love; love becomes the fountain of all righteousness.