The Rhythm of Heaven

 When I was a little boy, I had a dream that I died and went to heaven.  The place was magical and fun.  For a kid, it was a dream of all dreams!  Unlimited rides and candy.  Clowns.  Music.  Baseball. And, a host of other fun things to do for a kid.  Sounds crazy, right? 

In most church hymnals, there is a song called, “Mansion over the Hilltop.”  It isn’t my favorite song by far.  Personally, it is a selfish song about wanting to be in a city of gold, lined with silver and one who is searching for a mansion, robe and crown.  Am I off base?

Revelation 21 gives a description of the “New Jerusalem” or as Scripture refers to it as the “new heaven”.  In John’s vision, he sees a city made of gold, as pure as glass, the foundation of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone, the gates were made of pearl and the great street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

John’s vision is so different than my dream.  It was a bubble buster when I was told that my dream wasn’t the right description of what the “real” heaven would be like.  As a kid I wanted that heaven.  It was fun.  It had all that a kid could ever want and “needed!”  I was disappointed and bummed out. 

Almost everyday, I talk to someone about their salvation and what they want from God.  Most everyone says they want God to accept them into heaven when they die. 

Why? 

What is so special about heaven?  What does heaven offer that we do not have already?  Is there an alternative to heaven that drives everyone to want to go there?  

The alternative to heaven is hell.  It isn’t a happy or fun place.  As a matter of fact, Jesus describes hell as a future place of fire, darkness and a terrible reality of separation from God and some of the writings of the Apostle Paul deal with the impending doom of hell and the book of Revelation depicts hell as a place of torment forever (Revelation 20:10) I can see why people do not want to go to hell, including myself.

Heaven is a special place.   It is a place where we get a placard with our named inscribed on it according to Luke 10:20 and Jesus describes heaven as his father’s personal home in John 14.  Also in John 14 Jesus reassures his disciples that his father’s house has lots of room just for them.  It was Jesus’ way of saying to his closes friends not to worry, you will get to hang out at my dads house with me for all of eternity. 

Heaven has so much more to offer that we do not have right now.

Heaven offers total rest for all those who die in the Lord. (Revelation 14:13). 

Heaven will be a trouble free place.  No crying.  No death.  No mourning.  No pain. (Revelation  21:4)

Heaven will have an unlimited supply of crops for everyone living in the house.  Can you imagine opening up the pantry and never being out of food? 

Revelation 22:1-2 says that we will be furnished with all the amenities to sustain us. 

I love the lyrics to “Heaven is a Wonderful place”:  Heaven is a wonderful place,
Filled with glory and grace, I want to see my Savior's face, Heaven is a wonderful place.

Heaven is a wonderful place.  It probably want have carnival rides, clowns and baseball, but it will have an unlimited supply of resources to sustain us for all of eternity. 

None of us have been given the job to pick who gets into heaven or who doesn’t.  That responsibility has been reserved for Jesus (Matthew 25) No one Christian church  group has been selected as the straight to heaven group.  The bible says that those whom Jesus has chosen will get eternal life. 

The question I will leave you with is this:  What eternal home has your name placard on it right now?  God is grace and doesn’t want anyone to be lost.  Today you have an opportunity to look at where your life is headed and if you don’t like it, you can readjust and turn it around.  I would love to chat with you about heaven some more if you would like.  You can email me at thegreatestcommandislove@gmail.com or call me on my cell phone at 931-545-7543.

Remember, Be God Controlled!!

Brian