No Sorrow In Heaven

No Sorrow In Heaven (by David Peterson of The Rock of Jesus Church)

Our Savior, King Jesus, has started His masterful “Sermon on the Mount” near Capernaum with 9 blessings or beatitudes. For His second blessing He says in Matthew 5:4 the following: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Jesus speaks of the mourning over sin here and how it can lead to repentance. Jesus adds that this mourning “is the comfort of forgiveness and salvation” (MacArthur). We are blessed when we reflect on our lives and our sin but when it leads to repenting, or turning away from that sin, we can expect to receive comfort and peace.

J.C. Ryle, an 18th century Anglican bishop, once wrote: “Blessed be God! There shall be no sorrow in heaven. There shall not be one single tear shed within the courts above. There shall be no more disease and weakness and decay; the coffin, and the funeral, and the grave, and the dark-black mourning shall be things unknown. Our faces shall no more be pale and sad; no more shall we go out from the company of those we love and be parted asunder – that word, farewell, shall never be heard again.” Ryle’s wonderful take on heaven is scripture-based and it paints an alluring picture. Ryle correctly writes that there will be no pain, no tears, and no sorrow in heaven and mourning will be unknown to us. What a promise believers have to live in the presence of God in comfort and peace!

In 1935 Robert Arnold wrote his hymn “No Tears In Heaven” and the first stanza and refrain follows:

No tears in heaven, no sorrows given,

All will be glory in that land;

There'll be no sadness, all will be gladness,

When we shall join that happy band.

(Refrain:)

No tears in heaven fair, no tears, no tears up there,

Sorrow and pain will have have flown;

No tear, in heaven fair, no tears, no tears up there,

No tears in heaven will be known.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you take away our mourning when we follow you and your word. Your promise of eternal life with you will be glory and gladness and absent of sorrow and sadness. We love you. Amen.