Today's post is by guest writer, Lucas Ward.
2 Pet. 1:4 "whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature"
The promises of God to us are truly great. They are the reason we follow after Him. We want to avoid Hell and we want to be with Him in Heaven. In Romans 8 we are told that we will be joint-heirs with Christ. Paul teaches the Colossians that we will have the opportunity to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light (1:12). These are vague statements, however. Other than "streets of gold" most of us have a very cursory understanding of the promises we hope in. We often spend more time learning about Hell. So, why is Heaven so great, and why should I want to go there?
Heaven provides a rest. Heb 4:9,11 "There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. . . Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience." Ok, so we get to rest, but what does that mean? 2 Thess. 1:7 "and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire" So, part of the rest is a relief for those who are afflicted for their service to God. So, all the snide comments, bullying, and out-and-out trouble we face for serving God will be at an end. We also get rest from laboring for God: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them." Rev. 14:13. We sing a song, "We'll Work til Jesus Comes", and that is the life a Christian should live--being useful to God and serving Him. Once we've inherited and live with Him in Heaven, that strenuous effort will be over. One final way we will have rest is a surcease of all the pain and sorrow this world so often brings us. God promises to wipe all the tears from our eyes (Rev. 21:4) and that there will be no more weeping. In every way important, Heaven will be a rest.
Heaven is that better country that Abraham was looking for (Heb. 11:16). And, oh, is it better. First, realize that it was planned for us by God. Matt. 25:34 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world". cf. John 14:2-3. So, wait a minute. You mean that the all-powerful Creator of the universe has been carefully planning and constructing a paradise for me to live in? Yes. Do you think it might be nice? Do you think that the One who created us might know what it takes to make us happy and content? And He's had since the creation to work out all the kinks, so to speak.
Another reason Heaven is a better country is because of who won't be there. Eph. 5:5 "For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." Rev 22:14-15 "Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie." Notice, all the trouble makers, all those who add to the tribulations natural to this world are outside of Heaven. No, we aren't wishing damnation on any, but knowing that the unrepentant, obnoxious sinner won't be with us for eternity is a blessing, and something to look forward to.
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes a vision of Paradise. When you compare that to some of the descriptions in Revelation 21-22 we see that Heaven is described as a return to the Garden of Eden. Rev. 21:3 speaks of God dwelling with men; the last time that literally happened was in Eden. Rev. 22:1-5 speaks of a river of the Water of Life and not a single Tree of Life, but a whole grove of the Trees of Life. Heaven will be like Eden, only better. It is a place of joy (Ps. 16:11) and glory. Col. 3:4 "When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory." 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory".
The description of the New Jerusalem in Rev. 21 adds even more to our understanding of the wonder of Heaven. Two concepts stand out in the description of New Jerusalem. The first is the extraordinary wealth of the city. The twelve foundations of the city are each encrusted in different jewels. Gigantic pearls are used as gates to the city. (Can you imagine a pearl large enough to be hollowed out and used as a gate?!) Gold used to paving and building material for the city at large. This is wealth such as to dwarf dreams. The point of this over-the-top description is to emphasize the security from want that the inhabitants would enjoy. For a people who literally had to worry about their daily bread (Matt. 6:11), this security was peace beyond imagining.
The second aspect of the city was its extreme safety. If you convert the measurements given in Rev. 21:16-17, the walls of the city were 1,400 miles high and over 200 feet thick. Marauding armies had no hope of penetrating these walls. The city was completely secure. Again, for a people used to periodic attacks from raiders and robbers, that security was a blessing beyond belief. When Jesus said, in John 10:28, that no one would snatch His sheep out of His hand, He meant it.
Finally, we are told that this inheritance we will receive is incorruptible (1 Pet. 1:4) and that we will enjoy eternal life with Him in this Paradise (Matt. 25:46, Jn 6:40). The joy and glory we will know will never end, never fade away, and never seem stale.
So, is Heaven worth a little sacrifice?
Lucas Ward
2 Pet. 1:4 "whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature"
The promises of God to us are truly great. They are the reason we follow after Him. We want to avoid Hell and we want to be with Him in Heaven. In Romans 8 we are told that we will be joint-heirs with Christ. Paul teaches the Colossians that we will have the opportunity to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light (1:12). These are vague statements, however. Other than "streets of gold" most of us have a very cursory understanding of the promises we hope in. We often spend more time learning about Hell. So, why is Heaven so great, and why should I want to go there?
Heaven provides a rest. Heb 4:9,11 "There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. . . Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience." Ok, so we get to rest, but what does that mean? 2 Thess. 1:7 "and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire" So, part of the rest is a relief for those who are afflicted for their service to God. So, all the snide comments, bullying, and out-and-out trouble we face for serving God will be at an end. We also get rest from laboring for God: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them." Rev. 14:13. We sing a song, "We'll Work til Jesus Comes", and that is the life a Christian should live--being useful to God and serving Him. Once we've inherited and live with Him in Heaven, that strenuous effort will be over. One final way we will have rest is a surcease of all the pain and sorrow this world so often brings us. God promises to wipe all the tears from our eyes (Rev. 21:4) and that there will be no more weeping. In every way important, Heaven will be a rest.
Heaven is that better country that Abraham was looking for (Heb. 11:16). And, oh, is it better. First, realize that it was planned for us by God. Matt. 25:34 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world". cf. John 14:2-3. So, wait a minute. You mean that the all-powerful Creator of the universe has been carefully planning and constructing a paradise for me to live in? Yes. Do you think it might be nice? Do you think that the One who created us might know what it takes to make us happy and content? And He's had since the creation to work out all the kinks, so to speak.
Another reason Heaven is a better country is because of who won't be there. Eph. 5:5 "For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." Rev 22:14-15 "Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie." Notice, all the trouble makers, all those who add to the tribulations natural to this world are outside of Heaven. No, we aren't wishing damnation on any, but knowing that the unrepentant, obnoxious sinner won't be with us for eternity is a blessing, and something to look forward to.
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes a vision of Paradise. When you compare that to some of the descriptions in Revelation 21-22 we see that Heaven is described as a return to the Garden of Eden. Rev. 21:3 speaks of God dwelling with men; the last time that literally happened was in Eden. Rev. 22:1-5 speaks of a river of the Water of Life and not a single Tree of Life, but a whole grove of the Trees of Life. Heaven will be like Eden, only better. It is a place of joy (Ps. 16:11) and glory. Col. 3:4 "When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory." 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory".
The description of the New Jerusalem in Rev. 21 adds even more to our understanding of the wonder of Heaven. Two concepts stand out in the description of New Jerusalem. The first is the extraordinary wealth of the city. The twelve foundations of the city are each encrusted in different jewels. Gigantic pearls are used as gates to the city. (Can you imagine a pearl large enough to be hollowed out and used as a gate?!) Gold used to paving and building material for the city at large. This is wealth such as to dwarf dreams. The point of this over-the-top description is to emphasize the security from want that the inhabitants would enjoy. For a people who literally had to worry about their daily bread (Matt. 6:11), this security was peace beyond imagining.
The second aspect of the city was its extreme safety. If you convert the measurements given in Rev. 21:16-17, the walls of the city were 1,400 miles high and over 200 feet thick. Marauding armies had no hope of penetrating these walls. The city was completely secure. Again, for a people used to periodic attacks from raiders and robbers, that security was a blessing beyond belief. When Jesus said, in John 10:28, that no one would snatch His sheep out of His hand, He meant it.
Finally, we are told that this inheritance we will receive is incorruptible (1 Pet. 1:4) and that we will enjoy eternal life with Him in this Paradise (Matt. 25:46, Jn 6:40). The joy and glory we will know will never end, never fade away, and never seem stale.
So, is Heaven worth a little sacrifice?
Lucas Ward
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