Heaven.
A place where we can sing of God’s love forever! Oh to get my wings and float in God’s presence for eternity!
This is how I thought of Heaven. An eternal choir practice. I honestly was not looking forward to or seeking Heaven. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above…” (Col 3:1) I knew that for it to be God’s presence, it couldn’t be bad, but I was not desiring or seeking it. The idea of singing forever gave me no joy. And now I am aware of how much joy I was depriving myself. Tom and Jerry need no longer define our image of Heaven! So, erase your image of Heaven (unless you have a Biblical image in your head!). (Most of the following points are from David Platt’s latest Secret Church entitled “Heaven, Hell, and the End of the World.” Take six hours and watch it!)
“One of the greatest things about Heaven is that we’ll no longer have to battle our desires. They’ll always be pure, attending to their proper objects. We’ll enjoy food without gluttony and eating disorders. We’ll express admiration and affection without lust, fornication, or betrayal. Those simply won’t exist.”
Randy Alcorn
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
C.S. Lewis
I think of Adam and Eve in Eden. God created them and their surroundings and it was perfect (Gen 1:31). Perfect harmony between God and His creation (Gen 2:15). They were without sin and were able to do whatever their heart desired (Gen 2:16-17). God created them in His image, so God knew the desires of their heart (Gen 2:18). He was gracious to fulfill Adam’s desires by giving him the entire earth and all the creatures to rule over (Gen 1:28) and a woman to be his companion. Why would we believe that a perfect God that created US to live in this same harmony with Him wouldn’t fulfill all of our desires in Heaven? My desire to build and feel accomplished, your desire for affection and companionship… all of these desires are from God and have been corrupted by sin. So in Heaven, without the presence of sin and temptation (Rev 20:10), we will be able to follow our hearts because they will be pure and not corrupted by the sin we struggle with today (Rev 22:17, John 6:35). “Love God and do as you please” (Augustine). HOW BEAUTIFUL AND GLORIOUS A THOUGHT!
“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17
We will be as priests in the temple (1 Kings 6:19-20), a bride with a husband (Rev 19:6-8), heirs of a King (Matt 25:34), and participants in a banquet (Rev 19:9)!
We will behold Him (Rev 22:4), worship Him (Rev 19:1-8), serve Him (Rev 7:15), be served by Him (Luke 12:37), reign with Him (Dan 7:27), and rest in Him (Rev 14:13)!
