By Bruce Reeves
I believe it is possible to become so wrapped up in our day to day activities that we lose sight of the purpose of our lives as Christians, namely the attainment of heaven. If we miss heaven, anything we may accomplish on this earth will pale in comparison. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Let us examine some of the characteristics of heaven as we ask this wonderful question, “Do You Really Want To Go To Heaven?”
There Will Be No Sin in Heaven
“And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). The characteristics of sin are diametrically opposed to the very things that make heaven so desirable.
We do not bear the spiritual con-sequences of anyone’s sin but our own. But we do suffer the physical consequences of sin on the earth. Sometimes the question is asked, “If God is such a loving being, why is there any such thing as death, sickness, or pain?” Who decided it was God’s fault? When God first created the earth such was not the case. When did such develop? After man sinned and left his fellowship with God, Adam introduced physical death into the world by sinning. As a result of such, the things that produce death, sickness, and pain came into existence be-cause man left the purposes of his Creator.
The wonderful thing about heaven is that there will be no sin there. All the things that plague humanity will be vanquished by the grace of God. Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory!
Fellowship With God Will Be the Sustenance For Its Inhabitants
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God … And I saw no templetherein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof … And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there” (Rev. 21:3, 22, 23, 25).
The most horrifying thought to us ought to be that of spiritual death. We know that physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body. Spiritual death is separation from God. Think about that? Everything good, pure, comforting, and beautiful is connected with a relationship with Jehovah. Spiritual death means we are cut off from all hope for the future and any good thing.
Are you beginning to see why spiritual things should take priority over physical things. Our relationship with our Lord must be the most important relation-ship to us. If we do not put any emphasis on our relationship with Christ now, why should we be privileged to enjoy such a relationship in the hereafter?
Only the Faithful Will Be There
Those who have disobeyed will not be there. Those who were indifferent toward spiritual matters will not be there. Only those who were willing to partake of the water of life will see the glory of heaven. Yes, only those who have obeyed the commandments of the Lord will have access to the tree of life. “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life . . .” (Rev. 22:14).
What Will We Do in Heaven?
I do not know what all we will be doing in heaven, but I do know we will not be dormant and inactive. “. . . and His servants shall serve Him” (Rev. 22:3). We will be involved in worshiping, adoring, and glorifying God for eternity. Brethren, if we do not enjoy worshiping God and having fellowship with one another, we are not fit for heaven. I just wonder if some of us would even be happy if we made it there with the attitude we seem to have about worshiping God and about one another?
If the only folks we associate with are worldly and fleshly minded, what makes us think we are going to be fitted to commune for eternity with our brethren. We must work to prepare ourselves for that glory land above.
As we look at our hope of heaven what a wonderful scene our faith affords us. Yes, there is one eternal day coming when we shall be with our Savior in all his splendor and majesty. It will be in that moment that God shall wipe away all tears and pain from our souls, that all the mysteries shall be revealed, that we shall trade our crosses for crowns, and the joy of our salvation will fill our spirits in a way we never imagined possible. Yes, heaven will surely be worth it all!
Guardian of Truth XL: No. 14, p. 8-9
July 18, 1996