The concept of heaven is far above our finite minds, but even as a Bible-Believing Christian, some things are hard to understand. As we try to imagine a perfect place of joy and contentment, it is only natural to start with the things that make us happy on earth.
I remember hearing an old preacher that led a man to the Lord. Well, the man loved his chewing tobacco, so he asked the preacher if he thought the Lord might allow him to chew his tobacco in heaven since he loved it so much. The preacher thought for a moment and said: “Well if you love it that much the Lord may allow you to chew tobacco in heaven, but He might require you to go to hell to spit.”
Indeed, we enjoy a lot of things on earth. Trouble is I am not sure a lot of those things are going to be in heaven. For example:
I Love Cold Rainy Days. I’ll take a cold day over a hot day anytime. For the sake of the grandchildren, I alter my feelings when they are with us. But when Sherry and I go to the beach, I’ll take a cold rainy day in February over a sunny day in July anytime. Trouble is, I don’t think there are going to be any cold rainy days in heaven. I read about the robes of white, but there is nothing about overcoats and gloves.
I Enjoy Admiring The Works of Man. Great works of architecture, a well-made sports car, a fine tuned machine, a classic piece of furniture, a beautiful work of art; I find admiration for the man (or woman) who made it. Although we might give honor to great saints for their faith, it is hard for me to picture going by your mansion and saying “I really like what you’ve done to the place. It was a real dump before you moved in.” Now, this is just conjecture—I may be wrong, but I don’t think we will be admiring the ingenuity of the guy like Harley Earl for his great car designs.
I Enjoy the Aroma of the Earth. The aroma of burning leaves in the fall always takes me back home as does the smell of bacon cooking on a winter’s morn and freshly mowed grass in the spring. Will we cut grass in heaven? Probably not! Bacon? Not likely either. Will I miss these things?
I Enjoy Marriage and Being Close. Being close to someone you love may be the most pleasurable activity on earth. Will we always be in a crowd in heaven? Crowds have their place, but sometimes I like being alone, and other times I like just being with Sherry. Can the spirit world really compare with the joy God gives us here on earth when we are intimate or close with someone we love?
Some People Really Like Sports. Although I am not a big sports fan, many people are. As a matter of fact, most people today spend a lot of their time being entertained by others. It might be sports, movies, video games, or reading a good book. But will this be available in heaven? And if so, who is going to be creating it? Remember, watching a movie or a football game may be entertainment for the spectators, but its hard work for the participants.
Furthermore, although all heavenly movies may be “G” rated, many sporting events have an element of violence in them. Will you be able to crush your opponent in a manly game of football, or will you just be turning the other cheek once in heaven? Are all you sports fans going to be reduced to playing ping pong, shuffleboard, and maybe a hearty game of bingo? And even then, someone will have to face the disappointment of losing. Is that possible is heaven? Will you even wish for your opponent to lose?
Some People Really Love Their Pets. We know there are horses in heaven, but are there dogs, cats, and pythons? Can you take your doggie for a walk along the street of gold? Are there fire hydrants on every corner? The Scriptures seem to indicate that animals don’t have an eternal spirit and they don’t have the capacity to accept Jesus as their savior. They may not be tainted with original sin like man, but they are under the curse. Sorry, there will probably be no pets to cuddle. By the way, sorry guys but it is unlikely there will be duck hunting, deer hunting, or fishing either. Jeepers!
So, with all the normal stuff that we enjoy in life not available in heaven, what is left that you would want to do? Talking to your ancient relatives might be fun for a while, but we are talking about eternity. That’s E-Ter-Ni-Ty! I am glad Uncle LeRoy was saved, but spending forever with him?
Now, the Bible doesn’t go into many specifics about heaven. Why? Because “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (I Corinthians 2:9). Our minds simply cannot comprehend the glory that awaits us.
Imagine for a minute that all you have ever had to eat is crackers and water. In your world that is all you know, so everything is judged by that standard. You know crackers and water is better than dirt and pond scum, but you know of nothing better. Then, one day someone gives you a cookie and milk. Wow, this is heaven. No, it’s not, but it is the closest thing to it that you can imagine. Now, although you know of something better than crackers and water, still (and this is my point) you don’t know that Krispy Kreme doughnuts exists somewhere in the universe. Heaven is that way. There is something out there that will make you wonder why you ever thought that dirt and pond scum, crackers and water, and even milk and cookies, were the best the universe had to offer.
Now, while it’s true we don’t know the details about heaven, the Bible does give us a general idea. What we discover is absolutely mind-blowing! When we enter heaven we will be changed physically and spiritually. John tells us we will be like Jesus. What will that be like? Here are a few things the Bible tells us:
WE WILL NO LONGER SIN: In heaven Jesus will remove our sinful nature and conform us entirely into His image. For computer lovers, this old body is like Windows 1.0 (released in 1985), as I mature I may even get to Windows 2.0, or even Windows 95. But in heaven God is going to load me with Windows 10. Not a perfect comparison, since no computer operating system is perfect, but perhaps it gives us an interesting comparison. Not many people would want to go back to the old computer systems or black and white television today.
WE WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME LAWS OF PHYSICS: In John 20:19, 26 we find Jesus walking through walls and locked doors to reach the disciples. Elsewhere in the Bible we read about angels that appear and disappear. We will be able to travel anywhere instantly.
WE WILL STILL EAT AND TOUCH: Jesus ate in His resurrected body. In heaven eating might be done for pleasure and fellowship and not for necessity. Revelation 22:2 tells us that in heaven there will be a tree of life that bears twelve different kinds of fruit each month. Some think that there may be a feast each month when this tree blooms and a time of great fellowship as we gather around to share a meal together.
WE WILL NEVER BE SICK AGAIN: We currently live in a fallen, imperfect world. People get sick, suffer and die. In heaven that won’t be true. God tells us in heaven there will be “no more curse” (Revelation 22:3). There will be no more death or pain, for the old things has passed away. Heaven will be a world where, “the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap as a hart (deer) and the tongue of the dumb sing.” (Isaiah 35:5-6). There will be no more suffering in heaven.
WE WILL RECOGNIZE ONE ANOTHER: Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Jesus. Peter recognizes both of them even though they both lived many years before him. In heaven, we will know not only our loved ones but everyone else that is there!
WE WILL HAVE DEEPER RELATIONSHIPS: There will be no marriage in heaven. The reason is that relationships will be much deeper than anything on earth. Remember that we’ll be free from sin. Relationships will be pure and free of doubt, jealousy, and gossip.
WE WILL BE WITH CHRIST: More important than anything else is the fact that we will be with our Lord forever. From His throne flows the River of Life. It will be perfect, clear as crystal. And we will see Him face to face. We shall worship Him and be His people and He will be our God.
The presence of Christ will dominate heaven the same way the sun dominates the hot summer sky. We will be able to talk to Him, ask Him questions, and listen to Him speak. Imagine hearing His voice. The Bible says it will be “like the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder (Revelation 14:2). Imagine the stories He’ll tell, the lessons He’ll teach, and the love He’ll share. And…
“When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.”
HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN…
Heaven is God’s home. God is perfect and so heaven is perfect. Nothing imperfect can ever enter heaven (Revelation 22:14-15).
Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” But God has provided a way to bridge the gap between us and Him.
John 3:16 tells us this, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begonnen Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Jesus died on the cross for your sins and mine. He took your punishment for sinning. He died for your sins so you wouldn’t have to. Now He offers forgiveness to you. All you have to do is acknowledge you are a sinner, and that Jesus, the Son of God, died in your place, rose for your justification, and accept Him as your Savior. You can accept Jesus as Savior today.
Dr. Worthington has been in the ministry over forty years and serves as President of Pathway Ministries.