Heaven, part 1

Heaven, part 1

Everything a Christian does, in worship and in daily life,must have heaven as its motivation.  Why strive, suffer, abstain, work, if he does not have a clear goal – heaven – pulling him on?  This being true, we should have heaven, and what Scripture tells us about heaven, in constant sharp focus in our minds.

Won’t it be wonderful there? Yes indeed; God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away”, and, again, the One seated on the throne said, “To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment” (Revelation 21:4, 6).

Who can we expect to find in heaven?  As it is His dwelling place we will find God the Father – and indeed, when Jesus was baptized by John, the Father from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son … ”  Matthew 3:17.   Then when Stephen was murdered (Acts 7:55, 56) Jesus – crucified, resurrected, and ascended -- appeared in heaven, at the right hand of the Father. Who else will we find in heaven?  Hear the apostle Paul telling the Romans that they will receive eternal life, “who by patience in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality” (Romans 2:7).    No one will get there by accident; but by “patience in well doing”.  In heaven there is kept “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading” I Peter 1:4

These considerations hint of the marvel that will be heaven.  They are the more marvelous as we make comparison with them against our circumstances.  We are surrounded by indifference, even hostility, to spiritual things:  entertainers, athletes, politicians, so-called “beautiful people”, are held up for adulation as “worthy of praise”; while the honest laborer is contemptuously labeled “deplorable”.  This laborer will probably never have a million dollar mansion in this life.  The difference is that he desires a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  And God “is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16).

How will we get to heaven?   Not as something we have earned -- we have sinned, the wages of sin is death  (Romans 3:23; 6:23); so we are helpless and hopeless.  (Hebrews 10:4).   Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:29).   HOW do we come to Him?  Scripture gives the answer.  For instance, Jesus said, John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”.  How does the Father draw one?    By a direct operation of the Holy Spirit?  No.   By determining beforehand who will be saved, and all others lost? No.   Let the Bible speak for itself.  Jesus continues in verse 45; saying, ‘It is written in the prophets, And they will all be taught by God.  Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me ….”  Verse 45. Who comes to Jesus?  Those who have learned from the Father.   No big puzzle, always consult the context.

What may one learn, “from the Father?”

He may learn, that the wages of sin is death.  He may learn, that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” and he may learn that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22; 10:4). He may learn that Jesus is “the Lamb of God, who takes     

   away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  He learns, then, 

   that Christ by death paid for all sins and sinners from

   Adam, and He “has appeared once for all at the end of

   the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself’”

   (Hebrews 9:26).

   Pat