Let's Talk About Heaven
I love how Doug Blackburn phrased this. "I think Heaven has been terribly secularized by our media today. If I bring up Heaven, what's the first image they think of? People in robes sitting on clouds listening to a 24-hour gospel station while strumming the harp all day? Where does that come from? It's ridiculous and it doesn't even begin to describe the glory and majesty of God's Kingdom that we as believers will one day experience forever!"
Why don't so many Christians want to talk about Heaven? Why is it so easy for them to get caught up in things of the world, materialism, and other temporary items that they don't consider how wide and unfathomable God's Kingdom is compared to them? I guess the simplest answer is just that. Heaven is a place we don't know every detail about. We can't comprehend something we haven't experienced, so the only way we can begin to grasp it is by comparing it with what we have experienced. And what we have experienced is a bitter and dying world in the grip of corruption and sin. We face Satan's temptations every day, every waking moment of our lives. Those who are slaves to sin are either unaware of what it's doing to their hearts or on their knees crying for a way out.
What's Heaven compared to that? It's Revelation 21:3-4. "God's dwelling is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will exist no longer; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away."
Heaven is our ultimate and final reward for trusting in the blood of Jesus. It is the majestic dwelling place of God Almighty, and it was made known to us through the temple and tabernacle, through Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit. Paul said in Phillipians 3:20 that our citizenship is in Heaven, where we eagerly await our Savior who will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. For me, it puts the idea of death in a whole different perspective. I want to live each day of my life with my final destination in mind. Everything that surrounds me on Earth will eventually fade away. Titles, honors, recognitions, and accomplishments are all nice, but they can't hold a candle to our inheritence in eternity. Just how amazing is that? To live forever in the presence of God and all of His children, with no more worries, no more disease, no more pain, and no more death. We'll know nothing but pure joy and happiness as we worship God, having accepted the living water that Jesus offered. What a gift!
When we have this gift, we no longer fear death. That's where the hope comes from in the believers who grieve. I felt that hope when my grandfather died, and so did my family. We knew he'd taken his last breath here on this Earth, but he was also taking his first breath in the Kingdom of God. Because Christ conquered death, we need no longer fear it. Paul knew when he faced trial and death that he'd been faithful to his call, and so he was ready to face it. In 2 Timothy 4:18, Paul said "the Lord will rescue me from every evil attack, and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." I find comfort in knowing that even as I encounter the struggles of this world, and keep the faith, it will all be worth it when I meet Jesus Christ.
I don't know how people can read these verses and still manage to hold onto that pink cloud & harp nonsense. That's not Heaven at all; not even close.
Now as I write this, I don't want anyone to think I'm selling out on life. I don't plan on shutting away in my room and waiting for my time. That's the easy way out. I'm sold out to God, and I want to spend all of my days living for Him. There are so many opportunities out there to show other people the love of Christ and the difference it makes. And I haven't even scratched the surface. God has lots of work and service in store for those who follow Him; to live as the salt and light in a fallen world. However long or short my life will be, I want to live and die safe in the knowledge that my Lord and Savior is waiting for me in Heaven. That's what I call victorious living.
Song of the Day: Matt Redman - "Facedown"
Verse of the Day: "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that , though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." - 1 Peter 2:11-12
Why don't so many Christians want to talk about Heaven? Why is it so easy for them to get caught up in things of the world, materialism, and other temporary items that they don't consider how wide and unfathomable God's Kingdom is compared to them? I guess the simplest answer is just that. Heaven is a place we don't know every detail about. We can't comprehend something we haven't experienced, so the only way we can begin to grasp it is by comparing it with what we have experienced. And what we have experienced is a bitter and dying world in the grip of corruption and sin. We face Satan's temptations every day, every waking moment of our lives. Those who are slaves to sin are either unaware of what it's doing to their hearts or on their knees crying for a way out.
What's Heaven compared to that? It's Revelation 21:3-4. "God's dwelling is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will exist no longer; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away."
Heaven is our ultimate and final reward for trusting in the blood of Jesus. It is the majestic dwelling place of God Almighty, and it was made known to us through the temple and tabernacle, through Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit. Paul said in Phillipians 3:20 that our citizenship is in Heaven, where we eagerly await our Savior who will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. For me, it puts the idea of death in a whole different perspective. I want to live each day of my life with my final destination in mind. Everything that surrounds me on Earth will eventually fade away. Titles, honors, recognitions, and accomplishments are all nice, but they can't hold a candle to our inheritence in eternity. Just how amazing is that? To live forever in the presence of God and all of His children, with no more worries, no more disease, no more pain, and no more death. We'll know nothing but pure joy and happiness as we worship God, having accepted the living water that Jesus offered. What a gift!
When we have this gift, we no longer fear death. That's where the hope comes from in the believers who grieve. I felt that hope when my grandfather died, and so did my family. We knew he'd taken his last breath here on this Earth, but he was also taking his first breath in the Kingdom of God. Because Christ conquered death, we need no longer fear it. Paul knew when he faced trial and death that he'd been faithful to his call, and so he was ready to face it. In 2 Timothy 4:18, Paul said "the Lord will rescue me from every evil attack, and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." I find comfort in knowing that even as I encounter the struggles of this world, and keep the faith, it will all be worth it when I meet Jesus Christ.
I don't know how people can read these verses and still manage to hold onto that pink cloud & harp nonsense. That's not Heaven at all; not even close.
Now as I write this, I don't want anyone to think I'm selling out on life. I don't plan on shutting away in my room and waiting for my time. That's the easy way out. I'm sold out to God, and I want to spend all of my days living for Him. There are so many opportunities out there to show other people the love of Christ and the difference it makes. And I haven't even scratched the surface. God has lots of work and service in store for those who follow Him; to live as the salt and light in a fallen world. However long or short my life will be, I want to live and die safe in the knowledge that my Lord and Savior is waiting for me in Heaven. That's what I call victorious living.
Song of the Day: Matt Redman - "Facedown"
Verse of the Day: "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that , though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." - 1 Peter 2:11-12
posted by david @ 9:56 AM
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