What is Heaven Like?

At one time in my life I did not wonder much about heaven.

But I’ve always believed in my heart that heaven is real; and that I have relatives and friends who now reside there.

I have a father, who I never knew; he died when I was too young to know myself. Yet I believe he is in heaven.

I also have a brother, sister, and mother or on the other side. I reflect on them now because my sister was born in March. She was just a year older than me. And my mother, MaDea, went to be with the Lord three years ago this month.

Because of them heaven is dearer to me than ever before.

Rev. J. R. Battle, a longtime member of this community, who is well into his 90’s and convalescing in Navasota once, said to me, “I know more folks in heaven than I do on earth.” What a revealing thought.

But, what is heaven like? If we are looking forward to heaven being our eternal home and gathering with love ones, just what do we have to look forward to?

There are many questions people ask about heaven that are not addressed in Scripture. I can, however, say, it is a real place as testified to in Scripture. It is a prepared place, an exalted state, far above anything we could possibly imagine.

Jesus Christ spoke of our future home when He said: “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).

Heaven, therefore, is a prepared place where we will enjoy the eternal presence of Jesus. You may want to stop and shout right here. Just knowing that we will forever be in the presence of God the Son and God the Father is a foretaste of heaven.

Instead of shouting I’ll just allow the songwriter to express my sentiments: “O I want to see Him, look upon his face, There to sing forever of His saving grace; On the streets of Glory let me lift my voice; Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.”

In heaven believers will enjoy eternal fellowship in Christ’s company in the Father’s house (John 14:2). Drawn from the imagery of Jewish life, when a son took on a wife an apartment was added to the father’s house, and the son and his new bride took up residence in the father’s house where there is continued fellowship.

Another view of heaven is the banquet scene. “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11).

Who does not enjoy a banquet? The banquet scene to which Christ’s speaks will be one of fellowship, relaxation, joy, happiness, and peace in the presence of the Lord. The great party in the sky will be emceed by Jesus Himself. What a halleluiah time we going to have in heaven with love ones, other believers, and our Lord.

Further, the eternal dwelling place for us will be the new heaven and the new earth (Isaiah 65:17). The renovated heaven and earth will be a thing of beauty; just as God intended in the beginning. Read it for yourself as presented by John in Revelation 21:1-22:5.

In the very presence of God there will be a number that no man can number whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Finally, in Hebrews 12:22-24, the writer identifies the inhabitants of heaven, the New Jerusalem, as the angels, New Testament believers, Old Testament believers, and Jesus. In the New Jerusalem we will experience the Shekinah of God that will illuminate the holy city and above all, God will dwell in fellowship with man (Rev. 21:22-23).

As I have said, many of my friends and family members are already in the presence of the Lord as is many of yours. They are patiently waiting the consummation of the ages and the completion of God’s plan among men. They are where we are still striving to be.

This prepared place designed for prepared people awaits us all. Let us not disappoint ourselves, our friends, family members, or the Lord. Let us be ready when the saints go marching in; into the banquet hall, into fellowship everlasting, into the very presence of God.

What is heaven like? We shall see.

Artwork by Dr. Talley: "I'll Fly Away" Acrylics on Canvas, 16x20

Through Faith Our Prayers Are Answered

The woman had a problem. It was a health problem.

It was an ongoing health problem: a problem which over the past twelve years, still lingered.

She had done all she could. Doctors were visited. Specialists were consulted. Yet no cure had been found and no relief was in sight.

As a matter of fact, over the years things had gotten worse. What was she to do? What can any of us do when faced with a chronic illness?

You’ve done all you can do. Whether your problem is physical, fiscal, relational, or mental you have sort out professional help but to no avail. Proven and unproven methods have left you right where you started.

Well, the woman of whom I’m speaking, and whose story is recorded in Mark 5:25-34, suddenly heard of a source of help that could, in her mind, solve her problem.

Too often though we try everything and everyone before we resign to the fact that it’s going to take someone far more qualified than mere man.

“When she had heard of Jesus” as verse 27 records, this unnamed woman was determined to act on what she had heard.

Had she heard that Jesus was able to heal the sick and even raise the dead? Had she learned that there was something radically different about this particular Rabbi? Had she heard that this Jesus cared for the underprivileged, the downtrodden, and the dispossessed?

What she heard caused her to say in her heart: “All I need to do is get close enough to touch the hem of His garment and from there everything will be alright” (v. 28). And upon doing so, just as she believed, at that very moment, she received her healing (v. 29).

Remember God is always able to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He can do for us what friends, relatives, or even preachers cannot do.

But have we heard that He can; and have we made any effort to act on such knowledge.

God has the solutions to all of our problems. No problem is too big for Him. As a matter of fact, He knows all about our problems before we set them before Him. He can stimulate our personal economies. He can counter inflation, remove recessions, and erase unemployment or any other personal blight.

But we must act and we must ask. Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open. God is always available and willing to do His part.

The unnamed women could have, after 12 years of suffering, given up. That she did not do. She pressed her way to Jesus and received her healing.

When we press our way Jesus believing He is well able to do abundantly more than we can imagine or conceive of, the Lord has to respond to our faith. Jesus said, speaking of His encounter with the woman in the midst of a vast crowd, “Somebody touched me.”

This tells me that everybody who inquires of God is not getting an answer because the faith needed, to tap into His power, is lacking.

The woman’s touch and our requests that are made in faith are always answered. As the woman touch the hem of the Lord’s garment, we can, through prayer, touch the heart of the Master when we go to Him in faith.

Listen to what Jesus said as He responded to the woman’s touch of faith: He exclaimed, “Who touched my clothes?”

When our faith filled prayers reaches the ears of Jesus, He has to ask, “Who prayed that prayer” (Acts 16:25-29).

Like the woman, God wants us to know, through faith, our prayers are answered. And now we, too, can, “Go in peace.”

Be Prepared for Life’s Defining Moments

Life is filled with defining moments. We all have them: moments that can makes us, break us, or wisely shape us.

Defining moments, there have been in my life. Some were wrought with happiness and sadness; while others have left me inspired, anxious, and even in doubt.

Graduating from college in the early and mid-seventies, I was inspired, anxious, and doubtful. At the birth of my children, I was overwhelmed with joy. When death claimed my mother sadness mingled with joy shaped my world.

Yes, in my life, there have been many defining moments. And this week, I looked back on three of them: first, God’s clarion call for me to preach; second, my acceptance of the call; and third, the preaching of my first sermon.

The first event occurred some 27 years ago, the second some months later, and the third took place 25 years ago on the first Sunday in March 1984: what memorable times.

To have God speak to me in such a clear and convincing way urging me to declare His gospel was truly a defining moment. I would hope it is a defining moment for any truly called-and-sent preacher.

But like Moses, Jeremiah, and others I made excuses as to why I was not the person in whom God sought. And as a result of doing so, it was two years after my initial call before I would grace the pulpit. That pulpit, of course, was in none other than the Mount Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, here in Hempstead, TX.

Since God’s call and my response, I have occasionally ask, why me Lord? Hoping for something definitive, the only solitary answer I received from the Lord has been, “Why not you?”

I now understand that my calling was determined and defined by God in a moment of time that was pleasing and perfect to Him. He mysteriously moved: equipping me, shaping me, and making me ever-so available for His use. I thank God for invading time and challenging me to respond to His grace and His mercy.

Defining moments in my life, have taught me that they are ultimately defined by how we respond. I’ve also learned, belief in God, love for Him, and obedience to His will are paramount in our response to moments that define life.

Consequently, God has left us with examples, defining moments in the lives of others: how they responded and the impending results.

In a defining moment, Eve “took the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

In a defining moment, Moses declares: “I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.”

In a defining moment, Mordecai reminds Ruth of her role in the mysterious providential care of God for His people. Mordecai asked: “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

In a defining moment, Isaiah answered God’s call, “Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Isaiah said, “Here am I; send me.”
In a defining moment, Saul, bent on the destruction of Christians, answered God’s inquiry: “Lord what would you have me to do?”

In a defining moment, Peter was challenged with the penetrating question of the resurrected Savior, “Peter do you love me? Peter sorrowfully answered: “Lord you know all things; you know that I love you.”

In a defining moment, the thief on the cross at Calvary, recognized Jesus as an innocent man and said unto Him: “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

In a defining moment, before the foundation of the earth was laid, Jesus Christ was slain. In eternity past, He determined to die for the sins of the world.

Jesus Christ’ death, burial, and resurrection are defining moments unlike any others in the history of man. They are meant to reconcile and provide a way for sinful man to return to the Father. What shall be your response?

Photo: Dr. Talley, guest speaker, Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Hempstead, TX