Thinking about Heaven
As we face our own mortality, the terminal illness of a loved one, or the sudden tragic death of family, friend, neighbor, or stranger, we often think about Heaven. Perhaps we ask ourselves some of the following…
- Is Heaven a real place or wishful thinking?
- Where is Heaven?
- Who is in Heaven?
- What is Heaven like?
- How can we be assured of Heaven as a final journey?
This message is Part 1 of a series about Heaven. For the next several weeks, I’ll share information from various sources, add my own thoughts, and, as always, welcome your insight and opinions.
The Bible, of course, is one of our main sources of information about Heaven.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
The writers of our Old Testament Bible1 describe the universe as it appeared to them, through their human eyes, the heavens above, the earth with its waters below. Heaven is described as a “partition” God made to separate the rain-producing heavenly waters from the rivers, seas, and oceans on earth.2
Heavenly lights—sun, moon, and stars—were installed by God.
God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. Genesis 1:16
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created. Psalm 148:3-5
Heaven is God’s treasure chest, where things needed on earth are stored.
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes the clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. Jeremiah 10:12-13
Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah describe heaven as God’s dwelling place.
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. Isaiah 40:22
Yet God is not confined to heaven.
“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:23-24
And those ancient faithful fully believed that God was an active participant in earthly things, a majestic Being that cared for His creation.
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:1,3-4
It brings comfort to know that for thousands of years, the faithful have had full confidence in the love and trustworthiness of our God. Our Lord is not a distant Father, but One who is with us through the time of hopelessness, anxiety, and fear. He will never leave us or forsake us.
For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15
God dwells in Heaven—God lives in us who believe. Our soul yearns for that connection.
The fact that our hearts yearn for something Earth can’t supply is proof that Heaven must be our home. C.S. Lewis
1 All scripture from Holy Bible, New International Version, Zondervan, 2011.
2 Trent C. Butler and Gary Hardin, “Heaven,” From Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 2003.
Next week–Part 2, “Where Is Heaven?”
Thank you for this post!
Today my mother-in-law has been in Heaven one year. On the 28th my Dad will be there 3.
I sure miss them. Some days more than my heart can stand. But I am so thankful that I know that they are in Heaven. No longer suffering and longing for the day that God would take them home. And I have the promise that I will see them again!
Praying for you as God guides you through this journey.
Hugs!
Your words are so comforting, my friend. I know you still miss your loved one–we always do, don’t we? But to know they are with Jesus, and to know they are no longer suffering sickness and pain. That’s one of the hardest aspects of terminal illness (and we are all terminal!); seeing our loved ones suffer and not being able to intervene. Thankful that God hears our prayers and intercedes.
In Christ, we have the promise of seeing heaven. In fact, our citizenship resides there. What wonderful peace is found in that promise. While I know my destination, I recognize too how hard it will be one day, should it be God’s will, that I cross that threshold into eternity. I know this day that I am living an eternal life, that I will never face the “second death”, yet I cry out for those I love here whom I fear will never spend eternity with me. Those lost souls I could not help find their way to Christ. I look forward to ascending to Christ on that day, as the hope of my faith grows stronger with each passing year. I may worry about the coming transition into eternity, but when I consider no more pain, tears, fear, worry, or strife, I welcome the journey. Would I trade all that awaits me for one more day here in this world? Absolutely not! God’s blessings sweet friend.
Your message gives me hope and comfort. The thought of the transition is scary–and seeing our loved ones suffer is painful. But as you remind us, we who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior have the assurance that we will be with Him in eternity. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and inspiration with us.
How hopeful and encouraging this post is! I love the C.S. Lewis quote. Thinking about you during this difficult season. I’m sure carrying on with your writing is a wonderful comfort and outlet
for you. Writing is therapy for me!
C.S. Lewis is such an influential and inspiring author. My daughter loved his Narnia series and I so admire his faith, dedication, and brilliance (he challenges me with his intellect). Yes, writing is therapy for me, too. But, I’m also very grateful for the love, encouragement, and prayers of family and friends. Thank you!