Heaven is Full of Awe and Wonder

Two of my recent blogs deal with the subject of “Worship.” What is Worshop? and  Focused Worship.  Of course, our worship here on earth is, in part, to prepare us for worship in eternity when we get to Heaven. There are many ideas about what we will experience in Heaven. Many people think that Heaven will be sort of an ethereal existence in which we float around, maybe with wings but nothing of substance. Ethereal is defined as  heavenly or of the upper air. In its simplest form, it refers to something that is light, delicate, and seemingly not of this world. But that does not describe Heaven. There are numerous clues in the Bible about Heaven. In Revelation 4 and 5 John gave us a feeble description of a heavenly worship service. I use the word “feeble” as any attempt to describe what John saw is limited by words. As a wordsmith, I am very much aware that many times words fail us when we try to describe something wonderful. I believe this was John’s experience in writing Revelation. I would add that some of the content is subject to interpretation. It is certain that Heaven will be better than anything we can describe or imagine.

Three Heavens. Some non-Christians religions refer to seven heavens. The Bible does refer to three heavens. In Matthew 6:26 Jesus tells his disciples “Look at the birds of the sky.” Sky in this instance is translated from a  Greek word ouranos meaning “heaven.” Our atmosphere is the first heaven. 

The second heaven refers to outer space, sometimes referred to as the heavens. Deuteronomy 4:19 contains a warning about worshipping the heavens “And be careful not to raise your eyes to heaven and look at the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the heavenly lights, and allow yourself to be drawn away and worship them and serve them,” Worship the creator, not the creation.

The third heaven is the dwelling place of God. In Acts 7:55 we read “But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Stephen saw God welcoming him home to the third Heaven.

Citizens of Heaven. Currently we are citizens of a country of our birth or choice. It does not matter what country has my allegiance. Everyone is just passing through. The redeemed have a reservation in Heaven. Those whose names are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life will not be admitted to Heaven. There is no St. Peter at the gate to determine your eligibility. That’s been determined by your acceptance or rejection of Christ’s sacrificial gift. Failure to decide is to decide on hell.

Heaven is a real place. Obviously, we can’t find it in the vastness of space. But there are clues. Jesus told His disciples in John 14 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.(AMP). There is a house waiting for us. That sounds real. 

Job 26:7 states “He stretches out the north over empty space.” North is always up. I don’t want to get into too much scientific detail but astronomers at the Mount Palomar Observatory have discovered a huge empty area in deep space. It is said to be so large that it would contain 2,000 Milky Ways. which is 100,000 light years across. It is not a black hole or other cosmic phenomena. It has been speculated that this vast void could be the physical location of Heaven.

We come to Heaven with only our souls and the Word of God. Everything we need will be provided. It somewhat reminds me of an all-inclusive resort here on earth. We start making plans for this great vacation and our hosts tell us “Don’t bring anything.” Everything will be provided.” 

Heaven is eternal and more than we can imagine. Here on earth we are often slaves to the clock. Time is God’s “invention” for us while on earth. When we are in eternity (either Heaven or Hell) there is no time, no rush, no urgency. In Heaven we will worship God for all eternity. But I suspect we will also have the opportunity to converse with saints of the past as well as people we know on earth.

Since there is no time, nothing wears out or ages. No potholes. No repairs. No taxes. No bills. No illness. No attorneys. No HOAs. No politicians or human judges, no pollution. No shortages. No unemployment. 

I don’t think eating will be necessary, but we will enjoy sumptuous feasts. Fortunately, we won’t have to worry about our cholesterol or our weight. I once read a work of fiction in which a heavenly old timer was showing the new guy around. They came to the Heavenly Diner and the newcomer was told to eat to his heart’s desire. Everything is good and in abundance. No worries about weight or cholesterol. Just imagine the most luxurious feast you’ve ever had. Then multiply it many times over. You’re in Heaven. I once had The St. Elmo’s Prime Rib Sandwich at Harry and Izzy’s in Indianapolis. I declared it to be the best sandwich I had ever eaten. Unfortunately, it is no longer on the menu, but that sandwich pales in sight of what I will eat in Heaven.

A New Heaven. Guess what? The Heavens I have just described will not be our eternal home. John wrote in Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away.” And in verse 5 John writes “And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” Creation today suffers under the curse, waiting for the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan. In the new creation, there is no sin and no curse. It has been speculated that mankind will return to a Garden of Eden, fulfilling the charge to Adam and Eve. Along with her, Adam was charged with naming the animals, tending the garden, having dominion over the earth, and to represent God. Maybe we will exist in a Heaven on Earth.

Is your reservation in Heaven or Hell? Be certain before it is too late. Failure to decide is to choose Hell.

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To learn more about a new life in Christ, click here.

All scripture is from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise noted.

Photo credit to NoName 13, sl1990, and M_wie_moehre on Pixabay.