2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-5:1 – 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
THEME OF THE DAY: HEAVEN: OUR ETERNAL HOME. Did you think of heaven yet today? How about yesterday? When is the last time we thought on heaven? Or how about this question, “What do we know about heaven?” In my vocation, I officiate funerals and memorial services. Sadly, I have participated in not a few services where the knowledge of heaven consisted of such things as “a better place”, “no more suffering” and “gone to be with loved ones.” These vague descriptions of heaven reveal two things. First, biblical ignorance. All those things I just mentioned have come from unbelievers attending funeral services showing a blindness of understanding of the Biblical heaven. Another thing revealed in these vague descriptions of heaven is the inward awareness in all of humanity of the existence after death. And the Bible affirms this through the pen of King Solomon – He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
So, since heaven is a real place and the eternal home for God’s people, what may we expect when we get there? Here are two truths about our forever home. Spend time in the scriptures I have provided to get familiar with where we are headed.
First, heaven is a place of indescribable beauty. The Apostle Peter tells us it is our inheritance that is being reserved for us. We won’t find a “no vacancy” sign greeting us, but a “welcome” sign with a beauty we cannot even imagine. Peter offers three words about heaven that I encourage you to study. They are imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Such a study will fill your hearts with joy at what lies ahead for us – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4). There is no place on earth as beautiful as heaven will be. None.
Next, heaven is a place of perfect fellowship in perfect love with God and all believers throughout history – Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:1-5). Go slowly through every word here. We will soar with a hunger to be there and be there now!
Heaven. We are headed there and that quickly. Let’s get familiar with this glorious place before we get there!
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for the sure hope of heaven and what lies ahead for me in that perfect place.”
QUOTE: “Think often of heaven. It will wean us from worldliness and deepen our love for Christ.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim