“We read of a place that’s called heaven, it’s made for the pure and the free; these truths in God’s Word He has given, How beautiful heaven must be.” “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue, the angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” What wonderful songs we sing about heaven, which bring radiant joy to our hearts as we live upon this earth. I love to think and to meditate on heaven and the glory that one day we shall behold. When I think about heaven, it reminds me how badly I desire to go home! Truly, how beautiful heaven must be! Heaven has been the hope of believers in all ages. Righteous Abraham looked forward to heaven (cf. Hebrews 11:10), and Moses of the long ago also groped for the beauties therein (cf. Hebrews 11:26). Like the righteous of old, we too look forward to heaven! What can we know about this wonderful place to which we look forward? What does the Bible have to say about our eternal dwelling place?
In the first place, the Bible gives us the Promise of Heaven. Heaven is an eternal dwelling place that is promised to those who are faithful. Just prior to His ascension back to heaven, Jesus comfortingly assured the disciples, “…In my Father’s house are many mansions…” (John 14:2a). Jesus gave a promise of which we can lay hold. The promise of heaven is dear to the redeemed of God! Paul believed in the promise of heaven as well (2 Corinthians 5:1). Because of this wonderful promise of heaven, we can encouragingly sing, “Earth holds no treasures but perish with using, however precious they be, yet there’s a country to which I am going, Heaven Holds All To Me!” What a Promise is ours!
In the second place, the Bible gives us the Picture of Heaven. Heaven is so wonderful, so unspeakable that God has chosen to describe its picture by telling us what is not there. We see in the picture of heaven a place of no sin (cf. Revelation 21:27). Sin has turned the world into a prison wherein mankind often serves as its inmates. However, there will be no sin in our eternal dwelling place; just think of a place of no sin, what a picture! We also see in the picture of heaven a place of no sorrow (cf. Revelation 21:4). We live in this world, which is full of sorrow, tears, death and heartache. However, there will be no sorrow, tears or death in our eternal dwelling place; just think of a place of no sorrow, what a picture!
In the third place, the Bible gives us the Populace of Heaven. The Bible affirms that the Godhead will be in our eternal dwelling place. Jesus in the Model Prayer affirmed that the Father is there (cf. Matthew 6:9b). Peter affirmed that Jesus, “is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (1 Peter 3:22).Matthew confirmed that the Holy Spirit was in heaven, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him” (Matthew 3:16).We will enjoy the sweet fellowship of the Godhead in our eternal home. There will also be obedient angels in our eternal dwelling place (cf. Matthew 18:10; Revelation 3:5). The populace will also include those who are born again, converted, children of God, whose names are written in the Book of Life (cf. Revelation 5:9; 21:27). As was said by Gospel preachers of long ago, “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people!” God’s redeemed children will inhabit heaven for eternity! What a populace with which to enjoy the endless ages of eternity!
With the promise we have from inspiration of heaven, the beautiful picture the Bible paints of heaven and the wonderful populace therein, why would anyone want to miss heaven? Dear reader, share in the wonderful joys of the spectacular place called heaven by obeying the Gospel (cf. John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32; Acts 2:38, et al.).
