Thought for the Month - August 2015

"Heaven: harpists need not apply!" by Barry Adair

Fewer people than ever now believe in a literal Heaven (and even fewer in a literal Hell!). But what will Heaven actually be like? I unearthed a few things on this subject during a quick study and I wanted to share them here.

I'm sure you have seen the standard picture of Heaven. It's the one with cherubs floating about on cotton-wool clouds all playing a harp. Now although harps are mentioned in the Bible passages which talk about Heaven (Rev 5:8, Rev 14:2, Rev 15:2), I wanted to find out what Heaven will really be like. Now when I speak about Heaven I am thinking about the Heaven that is yet to come. Perhaps 'New Heaven/New Earth' would be a better name…

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away" (Rev 21:1)

This New Heaven/New Earth will be the future home of ALL born again believers whenever time, as we know it, will cease at the aptly named 'end of the age'.

A few questions may spring to mind about this New Heaven/New Earth…

• What will it really be like?
• Will I know others there and will they know me?
• Without time as we know it (i.e. immortality) will we get bored?
• I love to fish/swim/knit/cook/travel etc. so will I still be able to do these?
• How can I be sure that I will get there?

To be fair, I cannot be definitive in my answers to the above as the Bible really only hints at what Heaven will be like…

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." (1 Cor 13:12)

But the Bible is clear that it will be a fabulous place…

"But just as it is written, 'things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him.'" (1 Cor 2:9)

You just cannot get away from that language - it will be heaven!

My overall impression of this New Heaven/New Earth from reading the Bible is something akin to the initial perfect creation of our Earth. Our permanent home was meant to be on this perfect Earth, in the Garden of Eden. Before sin entered the world and polluted everything, our world was beautiful in every respect. There was:

No sin, no death, no tears, no stress, no regrets, no decay, no good-byes.

The wholesome things you enjoy in this life, I believe, will be available to be enjoyed in the next.

There will be no floating about on clouds playing the harp. Boredom will certainly not be an issue. There will be a perfect environment for us to lead full and active lives.

We will know others there and be known by them. Imagine catching up with friends and relatives who have gone on before!

We will have new bodies, bodies which will never know tiredness or hunger or pain or abuse or decay.

"How sweet is rest after fatigue? How sweet will Heaven be when our journey is ended?" (George Whitfield)

But the most pertinent Question of all is how to ensure we will get to Heaven.

For this Question, please read the A-B-C instructions below…

Admit your sin to God and with repentance, recognize your inability to save yourself.

Believe that God loves you and that Jesus Christ died in your place.

Call on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, and receive Him as your personal Saviour.

(This is also repeated, together with Bible verses, in the link at the bottom of this page).

Heaven IS real but so also is Hell.

As the saints of old would have said, consider your latter end!

Please ensure you are on the right road, to Heaven and home…

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matt 7:14,15)

As Randy Alcorn said in his book on "Heaven"…

Being with Christ will be the greatest joy of Heaven. The next greatest joy will be reuniting with our loved ones who have died. The certainty of the ultimate reunion is so sweet that it makes the parting bearable.

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.'" (Rev 21:3)

"… in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

"He whose head is in Heaven need not fear to put his feet into the grave." (Matthew Henry)

Until next month (dv)…

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!