As we wrap up the month of August, we come to the end of our series #HeartsTowardHeaven, a look at what Scripture tells us about eternity with God. Let’s look back on how Scriptures have informed our understanding of Heaven before spending a few moments on one of the last passages of the Bible.
A Place Prepared
Ali began our series with “A Place Prepared: for the Not Yet and for the Now.” With a look at John 14:1-3, she told us how her perspective on heaven was changed by the stillbirth of her daughter, awakening a longing for heaven in a brand new way. Ali shared about how the words of King David, who also lost a baby, showed her that “Jesus’ promise of eternity is for those who believe in Him (me), yet also for my baby daughter who never had the opportunity to believe.”
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)
Far From Home
Jaime reminded us that, like Abraham, we Christians are also exiles far from home. We live in a land that is not home, awaiting the fulfillment of a promised forever home. “Our time on this earth is a prelude to the reality of heaven, short, in view of eternity, but not insignificant. ”
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
(Hebrews 11:13-16)
Heaven Is Home
Cheli shared the story of her friend Kim, whose life and death were guided by faith. In a time when our society holds illness, aging, and death at arms-length, we have fewer opportunities to watch our brothers and sisters in Christ who precede us in death and learn from their steadfastness, making stories like Kim’s even more of a treasure. Kim experienced the intimacy with Christ that came with suffering and came to deeply understand the longing for heaven that Paul expresses in 2 Corinthians:
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. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
(2 Corinthians 5:1-5)
Hope of Heaven
I wonder how many of you related as I did to Sabrina’s reflections: “All along, I had been trying so, so hard to walk by sight. I prayed harder and tried to squeeze more sincerity into everything I did. Little did I know, I was carrying a burden Jesus had already willingly accepted on my behalf (Matthew 11:29-30
).”
What a beautiful reminder of His faithfulness. “Be of good courage,” Sabrina wrote, “Trust in the Good Shepherd. He has led us to the cross, and He will surely lead us home.”
From Every Nation
We then took a look at how heaven is filled with Believers from every nation. As the Revelation of John tells us, our brothers and sisters who have suffered and died, including those martyred for their faith, populate heaven with worship, where we will join them before the white-robed Lamb.
“ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
(Revelation 7:9-10)
Ready to Depart
“We are earth-bound, somewhat selfish creatures who are focused on our own survival. Death is portrayed as the worst outcome, the final end, the last resort,” Kristee wrote. And yet Paul was eager for death, as it provides the transition to heaven.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
(Philipians 1:21-23)
“Paul could be in this place of peace about his death because he knew God would triumph. Accomplishing God’s purposes on earth didn’t depend on Paul–they have always and will only depend on God. Paul knew that he was–and that we are–just part of the story God is writing. Regardless of what happens to us, God will be victorious.”
The Dwelling Place of God
As we come to the end of our series, I’d like to conclude with my favorite verse about Heaven.
“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.”
Revelation 21:3
I recently heard a preacher say that “the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the whole story of the Bible.” And while I wholeheartedly agree that the Bible from beginning to end tells the story of our Salvation through Christ, I personally see this verse from Revelation as a more comprehensive summary of the Bible.
“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.” That was the story in Eden. That was the story of the Temple. That was the story of the Incarnation — Emanuel, God with us. That is the story of the indwelling Holy Spirit. And, finally, we know that fully living in the presence of God — His dwelling with us; our abiding in Him — is ultimately, perfectly, forever fulfilled in Heaven.
Heaven is the fullness of how we were created to be with God. And for that reason, Heaven is Home.
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