Heaven is a place
that we can only know of through the inspired word of God. All
that I know to be true of that place, and all that is not true,
can be determined by God's word. When anyone supposes to know
more he is presumptuous and accursed (Gal. 1:8f; Col. 2:18).
So what does the Bible say about heaven? First let's see what
will not be there. These are clearly implied by the perfection
of heaven clearly described in passages that we will note later.
No Boredom...
People commonly picture heaven as a place
in the clouds where people go to play the harp for the rest of
eternity. If they don't even like music, this becomes the least
likely place they would want to go.
While harps are mentioned in the book of Revelation (5:8. 14:2-
15:2), these are a part of the vivid symbolism and imagery given
to convey the glory of God, and the praises that are offered
to Him. These events are not represented as going on for all
eternity. In fact, the three passages cited have to do with events
in our past!
What will we do for all eternity in heaven? I don't know! To
be honest with you, I don't care, because I trust God to have
the best existence all prepared to be beyond my satisfaction.
All of this side-steps the question of the alternative. Even
if you suspect God has something in mind that you won't like,
I guarantee that it will be infinitely better that going to hell.
No Pining...
At times people worry about pining for lost
ones who did not serve God faithfully. Won't they get to heaven
and miss them? No way! Do you really think that you will stand
in the very presence of God almighty and think of something other
than the glory before you? I don't know what we will or will
not be caused to forget. I do know that God will not allow us
to be in a sorrowful state.
No Temptations...
I've heard people worry about the possibility
of losing heaven once it's been reached. They fear that they
will arrive, be tempted, sin, and get thrown out. Heaven is a
place of rest after our battles on earth. The tests of temptation
and sin are here and now. If we pass now, we will escape them
for all eternity.
Besides this, who is going to tempt you? The devil and his angels
will have been cast into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone
(Rev. 20:10; Mt. 25:41). The lust of the flesh and eyes, and
the pride of life will have vanished with the end of this world,
and our glorification into the next. Don't be a worrywart over
what God has promised to be so magnificent and comforting.
What Will It Be
Like?
We know that heaven is not a carnal place.
After all, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God
(I Cor 15:50). Descriptions of gates and streets are used to
convey important aspects of heaven. We are not intended to believe
that heaven is a "Davy Jones Locker" of incredible
riches. These show the value of a place we cannot begin to fathom.
And then above these we have a description of our own state while
there. Note that these are a description of the bride, the wife
of the lamb (Rev. 21:9ff). In other words, this is the church
glorified, as she will be before God:
Gates That Never Close...
The only reason gates would never close is if there were no threat
from an enemy. Mankind's only enemy will have been defeated and
cast into torment. Here on earth we fear many enemies. Some imagined,
and others real. We lock our doors, and turn on alarms. We watch
the news in horror as terrible scenes of evil and death are paraded
before us.
In heaven, none of these things will exist. Some imagine that
they will in hell. They think that the wicked will continue their
wickedness there. To think that is to negate the torturous descriptions
of hell in scripture. No one in hell will do evil... They will
endure the remainder of eternity regretting the evils they indulged
while on this earth.
A Street of Gold...
The value of gold is not the only consideration
here. What stands out to me is that we only ever read of one
street. Have you ever been in a large town, and felt swallowed
up by all the avenues crisscrossing and extending out. Who were
you close to?... While the description of heaven gives it majestic
proportions, it still maintains one view to be in close proximity
to life and happiness.
A Light That Never
Fades...
The light in heaven will be the glory of
God. His very presence will be all that our existence has ever
needed. We can bask in the warmth of His love and mercy, and
praise Him as will be fitting.
Our State of Being...
Can you imagine never again shed-ding a tear,
or being sorrowful (Rev. 21:4)? This life has made these things
to be expected, and not on an irregular basis. But in heaven
there will be no sorrow or tears. The physical pains of our body
will have been banished from us by the change Jesus brings in
the resurrection. We will "be like Him" (I Jn 3:2;
Phil 3:2 1). Our emotional ills will be removed that we may have
the greatest of joys in God's presence. While much of this deals
with what will not be (sorrow, tears, etc....), impossible are
the words to adequately express the glory of that day... The
ecstasy of the vindication of His saints... The awe at finally
witnessing that for which we had live our lives, and even made
sacrifices for. Can you not find a yearning within you that is
akin to what Paul expressed in these words:
"For we know that the whole creation
groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only
that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even
we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the
adoption, the redemption of our body."