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.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment