Ok, life can be a struggle, but we must never lose sight we are here on a ‘Visa’ that will expire. The Book of Hebrews says we are strangers and exiles on the earth (11:13). Peter calls us aliens and strangers in the world (1Pe 2:11). The Message Bible reads, Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. So, what’s next? We go home. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 3:20).
My wife and I served four years in Zambia on a Work Visa. That period was one of the most difficult and challenging times of our ministry. We endured food shortages, rampant crime, malaria, a volatile political situation under a dictator, and always faced the unknown, to name a few. Were we tempted to leave—more than once? However, the Holy Spirit would remind us that God had sent us to do a work for Him in this foreign country. When we were homesick, we kept going knowing our Visa would expire and we would return to all the amenities of America and knew what to expect.
Heaven is our eternal home so what is it like? What are we to expect? Heaven is actually beyond our imagination. “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9 NET). The Apostle John in Revelation attempts to describe what he saw when a door standing open in heaven and a voice summoned him, Come up here (Rev 4:1). He used the word ‘like’ 65 times through the book—He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head; And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. John saw things he could only describe by comparing it to something like he had seen on earth. He used another simile, “as” 42 times—Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper; he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal. Heaven is beyond human description. Someone said, trying to describe it exhaust all the adjectives and descriptive language known to man. But we can rest assured, it is a beautiful place.
Without just providing a list, look at some general characteristics that are clear-cut. Heaven is a real place not a state of mind. We won’t sit on a cloud and strum a harp. The greatest aspect—God is there. Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (Rev 21:3). The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face (Rev 22:3, 4 NIV). Since His ascension, Jesus has been preparing a dwelling place, abode, a mansion in heaven for us (Jn 14:2). Believers will collect the treasures they have stored up in heaven (Matt 6:20). I have moved 13 times in my life, but our move to heaven will be for eternity. Are you weary? We will have perfect rest. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on! “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors. . . (Rev 14:13).
We learn a lot about heaven by what is not there. Death will not exist any more—or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist (Rev 21:4 NET). If you like list here’s one with other things not there: no sin, no sorrow, no sickness, no poverty, no more curse, no temptation, no hunger, no thirst, etc.
Squire Parsons wrote and recorded the encouraging song, “Sweet Beulah Land” in 1979. He wrote, “I’m kind of homesick for a country to which I’ve never been before . . . There my home shall be eternal . . . I’m longing for you.” I’m sure others like myself sometimes say “I’m kind of homesick”. Jesus announcement to the Apostles that He was leaving, troubled them. He tells them He is departing to prepare a mansion for them (note above) and promises I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also (Jn 14: 2, 3). He wanted to draw their minds off an earthly kingdom and have them focus on their heavenly one. Later, He explains He is leaving them on earth for a time because they had a work to do—going into all the world and sharing the Gospel.
When life is difficult and we are struggling, remember we’re only here on a temporary Visa and soon we can go home. In our home in heaven, we will have new bodies, perfect joy, will sing new songs and will worship God with no worldly distractions. There is no comparison between the pain of this present time and the glory which we will see in the future (Rom 8:18 BBE). Even creation waits in eager expectation (v19).
Sustaining Word for the Week: I’m kind of homesick for my eternal home. I’m longing for it. Until then I have a work to complete.