“It is the manner of bridegrooms, when they have made all ready in their father’s house, then to come themselves and fetch their brides, and not to send for them by others, because it is a time of love.
Love descends better than ascends, and so does the love of Christ, who indeed is love itself, and therefore comes down to us Himself; ‘I will come again and receive you unto Myself’ (says Christ), ‘that so where I am, you may be also.’ (John 14:3)
That last part of His speech gives the reason of it, and in addition reveals His entire affection.
It is as if He had said, ‘The truth is, I cannot live without you, I shall never be quiet until I have you where I am, that so we may never part again; that is the reason of it. Heaven shall not hold Me, nor my Father’s company, if I have not you with Me, my heart is so set upon you; and if I have any glory, you shall have part of it.’
And as not content with these expressions of desire, He adds over and above all these, ‘and will not tarry;’ (Hebrews 10:37) and all to signify the infinite ardency of His mind towards His elect below, and to have all His elect in heaven about Him.
He will not stay a minute longer than needs must, He tarries only until He has throughout all ages by His intercession prepared every room for each saint, that He may entertain them all at once together, and have them all about Him.”
–Thomas Goodwin, “The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth,” The Works of Thomas Goodwin, Volume 4 (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage, 1862/2006), 4: 100.
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