Have You Thought About Heaven Lately?

When was the last time you really stopped to consider heaven?  I don’t mean the vague, bouncing-on-pillowy-billowy-clouds-type of heaven, but the coming, eternal, new heaven on the new earth.  (Revelation 21: 1-2)  The heaven where God sits on His glorious throne surrounded by lightnings, thunders, voices, and a brilliant emerald rainbow with Jesus sitting on His right hand.  The place where twenty-four elders adorned in white robes wearing golden crowns sit in continual anticipation before Almighty God awaiting each new opportunity to bow down and worship Him.

The Bible is quite clear about this new heaven.  It will be a holy city named The New Jerusalem-as high and wide as it is long.    It’s beauty will be awe-inspiring.  (The Bible likens it to a glowing bride ready to dazzle her anxiously awaiting husband.)  The twelve gates of the city (three of each of four sides) are huge, lustrous pearls connected by walls of Jasper that sit atop a foundation of twelve different layers of precious stones.  These gates shall never be shut since night (darkness) no longer exists.  There will be no need for sun or moon.  The welcoming brightness of the glory of God and Jesus will emit all the light needed. No physical temple will exist because God and the Lamb are the ever-present temple.  The streets of the city will appear as transparent gold.  The New Jerusalem, heaven, will reflect light like pure crystal.  Only those whose names found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life can enter this blessed city.  Individuals who have lived their lives in Jesus’ name will already be there awaiting the arrival of their loved ones.

This heavenly New Jerusalem shall have a river running out from the throne of God which will water the Tree of Life that yields twelve types of fruit produced each month with leaves that heal all those dwelling within this holy city.  Names recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life, representing the legal residents of the New Jerusalem, shall see God’s face and wear His name upon their forehead.  (Revelation 21: 9-27)

Many books exist about people, both young and old, who have somehow earned a glimpse of heaven.  Each story is unique but they share a common thread: love, light, and awe.  (One of my favorite such books is Heaven Is For Real written by Todd Burpo.  You’ll be inspired.)

Friend, I invite you to think more seriously about heaven.  If you wonder whether being a Christ-follower is worth it and question, “What’s in it for me?”, the resounding answer is, “More than you can even imagine!”.   Eternal bliss awaits those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God raised from the dead.  (Romans 10: 9-10)  All those professing this truth before their death continue to cheer on to an overcoming victory those yet to arrive.  (Hebrews 12:1)

What do you believe about heaven?  Who is anxiously awaiting your arrival?  What do you need to take care of so you can enter into God’s holy city?  I trust I’ll see you there!