# “The happiest thing of all” by John Calvin

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2011/04/20/the-happiest-thing-of-all-by-john-calvin/
- Published: 2011-04-20T10:36:41-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“Let us consider this settled: that no one has made progress in the school of Christ
who does not joyfully await the day of death and final resurrection.

Paul, too, distinguishes all believers by this mark (Titus 2:13; 2 Timothy 4:8),
and Scripture habitually recalls us to it whenever it would set forth proof of perfect
happiness.

‘Rejoice,’ says the Lord, ‘and raise your heads, for your redemption is drawing 
near.’ (Luke 21:28) Is it reasonable, I ask you, that what our Lord meant to be 
sufficient to arouse us to rejoicing and good cheer should engender nothing but 
sorrow and dismay? If this is so, why do we still boast of Him as our Master?

Let us, then, take hold of a sounder view, and even though the blind and stupid 
desire of the flesh resists, let us not hesitate to await the Lord’s coming, not
only with longing, but also with groaning and sighs, as the happiest thing of all.

He will come to us as Redeemer, and rescuing us from this boundless abyss of all
evils and miseries, He will lead us into that blessed inheritance of His life and
glory.”

–John Calvin, _[Institutes of the Christian Religion](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0664220282?tag=toletaupanre-20)_,
John T. McNeill, ed, Ford Lewis Battles, trans, Library of Christian Classics (Philadelphia:
Westminster, 1960 [1559]), 3.9.5.

More quotes from [John Calvin](https://tollelege.net/category/john-calvin/)