Heaven

We have been in this amazing series at church about Heaven. Not many people take the time to truly study where we will spend eternity. We will plan a vacation that lasts a week or a 529 plan for four years of college, but eternity lasts a lot longer than any of this. In fact, our life is, as the Bible says, “but a vapor” compared to eternity. Think about it - we get 70, 80 or 90 years on this earth, and then eternity lasts forever.

As a child, I used to be scared to think about Heaven. I mean, what would I do all day? Won’t I get bored? I didn’t want to play a harp or go to church every day and forever, so Heaven was not very appealing. However, this is so far from the truth! Heaven is more wonderful than any of us can dream or even imagine. And, God wants us to know. There are over 550 verses in the Bible about Heaven. Jesus talked about Heaven, and He talked about Hell. God wants us to know where we will spend eternity, and it is anything but boring.

A place where we will be fully known and fully loved. The only way to Heaven is through a relationship with Jesus. There must come a time when we repent of our sins, ask for God’s forgiveness, accept Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross and follow Him. Baptism is an outward expression of this inner commitment to Christ. If you are in Christ, then your eternity is secure. You have a place that Jesus has prepared for you!

When you think about Heaven, begin to imagine that it is beautiful. The Bible tells us that there will be a “New Heaven and a New Earth.” Ultimately, we will come back to this very planet. When God created the world, it was perfect. And, then God created man - in His image. He put man in this beautiful garden to take care of it and to be in relationship with Him. Then, man sinned. Man essentially said, “God, I don’t need You.” And, man ate the fruit and broke the relationship with God. But, God didn’t give up on man, and God doesn’t give up on us when we sin. God sent His One and Only Son to atone for our sins. And, while we still live in this broken, fallen world, one day God will make all things new! The new Heaven and the new Earth.

Now, imagine this world without sin. Imagine no death, decay, mourning or pain (Revelation 21:4). Only the good things. Only the best things. The world as God created it to be. Man in right relationship with God and with each other. In Heaven, you will see the face of God (Revelation 22:3). In Heaven, everyone will be a Christian. No envy, jealously, bitterness, worry of what others think - all the byproducts of our sinful nature. We will be in perfect relationship with God and with others. No guilt, sin or shame. Imagine the worship. Imagine the relationships. Imagine the joy. 

In Heaven, we will have Resurrected Bodies. Think about Jesus’ Resurrected Body. He could walk through doors (when He appeared to His disciples), He still ate food and He carried on conversations. Imagine not being confined by time and space. I can’t wait to explore this entire world. There will be jobs to do. There will be work in Heaven - work was given before the Fall (Man’s sin in Genesis 3). But, imagine doing what you were created to do. Imagine work being fun and filled with joy. In fact, joy is a gift of God, so Heaven will be filled with joy. And, laughter. I can’t wait to laugh and embrace all God has for us. Work trips to New Zealand, Iceland and even to other planets in the Universe. Trips with friends. Conversations with the saints of old - the heroes of the faith. And, of course - worship. I mean, incredible Holy Spirit-filled, off-the-chart worship with the greatest singers, musicians and songwriters from every tongue and tribe throughout all of history all focused on the Living, Awesome, Mighty Lamb of God! I can’t wait!

I will tell you what we will not do in Heaven - no more funerals; no more cancer - I hate cancer; no more ambulances; no more watching those we love die. There will be “no more death, mourning, crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4. God created the world and it was perfect, but then man sinned. Because of that sin, we have death and decay. Our bodies now wear out. But, one day, we will exchange this temporary body for an eternal body that will never wear out. You will be in perfect relationship with the Father and with each other for all eternity. In Heaven, you are finally HOME! Having your eternal family all together.

Imagine the long conversations with the saints of old. Your grandparents, great-grandparents, Joshua, David, Mary and more. Imagine the family vacations to visit New Zealand, Iceland and other parts of the Universe. Imagine working, not begrudgingly and to only make money, but because it was what you were created to do. Being able to paint, draw, and make music. Imagine laughter. God created it. Imagine being fully alive! And, being fully You!

In Heaven, you will be the best version of you. So, get ready! Don’t wait until you die to live for Heaven, start living for Heaven today. You are a citizen of Heaven, if you are in Christ, so let’s bring Heaven to earth (just as Jesus taught us to pray). Love God and love others. Serve God now and bring glory to His Name. Share Jesus with others (you can’t do this in Heaven because everyone will be a Christian) and invest your all (time, energy, resources and prayers) in bringing Heaven to this earth. Your best life is still to come! Thank You, Jesus, for Heaven!