Heaven: What to Expect
Hebrews 11:13-16
Have you ever imagined what heaven will be like? When people come to me and ask that question, I always responded by telling them to think of the most beautiful place they have ever seen. When they ask me what I think it will be like, I usually say that I hope heaven will have long wide fairways, beautiful greens and open tee times and free greens fees. But seriously, we can think of the most beautiful place in the world and it will pale in comparison to heaven.
An elderly couple passed away and found themselves at the pearly gates. Peter was there to welcome them. First he showed them their mansion. The man overwhelmed by the sheer luxury of it all asked, "How much does this place cost per night?" Peter replied, "Sir, this is Heaven, it doesn’t cost anything." Then Peter took them to the dining room where table upon table was piled high with the most delicious foods you could imagine. Again overwhelmed by the glory of it all, the man asked, "How much for the meals?" Peter said, "You forget, this is Heaven, it’s free." Peter then took them out back where they saw a beautiful golf course. As the man stood there open-mouthed Peter said, "Now before you ask, there are no greens fees, this is Heaven, everything is free." The man looked at his wife and said, "You and your confounded bran muffins, I could have been here 10 years ago!" Despite what it looks like, heaven will be a place of unbelievable beauty and delight, something wonderful to look forward to.
Today I want us to look towards our heavenly home. Though we may only see it from a distance, I hope it will encourage you. I can’t wait to get to heaven. It’s going to be a blast. What can you expect when you get to heaven? First, we get a new home. John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms…” Now the King James Version says, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” I think that speaks of something more than the 9 x 15 room I lived in the fraternity house with a roommate, no less or the small 2 room apartment I lived in seminary. I dreamed of buying a house and saved every penny so that the first thing I bought when I moved back to New Orleans was a double shotgun home. Have you ever dreamed of living in a bigger place or maybe even a mansion? I know there are many here who live in small apartments or houses. I want to say to those of you who struggle with your earthly home today, your heavenly home will be wonderful! May it give you hope to survive the cramped conditions because it is only temporary and you will be inheriting a mansion in the Father’s house.
Second, we get a new body. Can I get an amen to that? As I get older and there are more creaks and pains and things stop working as well as they used to, but hear the good news: 2 Corinthians 5:1 says, “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling.” In heaven, we will get a new body that will be perfect, no more sickness or pains or creaks or illness or disabilities. Joni Eareckson who became a quadriplegic as a result of a diving accident nearly 30 years ago writes, “Heaven has become my heart’s home, the place where I will finally belong. The place where I will get a brand new body… In the world’s finale something so glorious is going to happen that it will atone for every single tear we’ve ever cried…..Heaven is going to be a place of no more disappointment, no more grief but joy. Heaven’s joy.”
Third, we get new friends. Think of all the people that you’re going to get a chance to meet in heaven. Who is it that you are looking forward to sitting down and having a conversation with? Is it to ask Moses what parting the Red Sea was really like or Daniel to explain what it was like hanging out in the lion’s den or Paul to ask what that thorn in his side really was? Or maybe it’s the myriad of normal people whose lives were radically saved and transformed by Jesus and hearing how how they lived their lives in honor and glory of him. Or is it a loved one you’ve been separated from in this life: your grandmother, grandfather, your mom or dad, a brother or sister or even a close friend. This I know: heaven is going to be a great family reunion. And what’s so amazing about heaven is that you’ll never have to say goodbye mand you’ll be able to spend eternity with them. When Bishop Philip Brooks, author of the hymn “O, Little Town of Bethlehem,” was seriously ill, he requested no friends come to see him. But when an acquaintance of his named Robert Ingersoll, a famous anti-Christian propagandist, came to see him, he allowed him to come in right away. Ingersoll said, “I appreciate this very much. Especially when you aren’t letting any of your close friends see you.” Bishop Brooks responded, “Oh, I’m confident of seeing them in the next world, but this may be my last chance to see you.”
Fourth, we get a new city. I love New Orleans, it’s culture, history and architecture. But the fact is that as a great as it is, there’s alot that’s broken here and needs fixing. Heaven is not coming here to fix and repair what’s broken. We get a whole new city. Let the words of John in the book of Revelation describe this for us: “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband…. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.” Can you imagine seeing that for the first time? Revelation 5:1-2,18-21 It must be like the first time we took our kids to Disney World. Their eyes were so big when we first walked in and they were in awe! Everything seems so beautiful and so magical. They could not believe their eyes. Can you imagine our faces the first time we see this new city of God given to us?
Fifth, we get a new job. Anybody ever have a job they hated? I have. One summer I carried bags of shingles up a ladder onto a roof to be installed. Another summer, I worked on an assembly line building the 4 foot fluorescent lights you see in just about every commercial building. It was a boring and I worked with 17 ladies who discussed nothing but soap operas. Most people attribute work with something negative and long for the days when they can retire. But work isn’t work if you love what you do. And that’s what work in heaven will be. We will be given meaningful tasks toward the work of God and His plan of salvation and that will bring us great joy. The curse for Adam and Eve in Genesis 2 was not the work itself but that it was painful and frustrating. Revelation 22:3 says “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” (emphasis added). The word serve here is an action verb – it’s doing something active for the Kingdom of God. And because there will no longer be any curse, our work will not be frustrating, but will be rewarding, fulfilling and life-sustaining. Jesus said that doing God’s work was fulfilling ‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’ John 4:34
Sixth, we get amazing worship. What is the most powerful worship service you have ever experienced? Just imagine the worship in heaven. It will pale in comparison. I imagine millions of Christ followers and all of creation joining in praise. And we’ll be singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Put verses 1,2 and 3 on the screen Being in the very presence of God’s holiness will be so amazing that we can’t hold ourselves back from singing His praise.
Seventh, we get to see Jesus. The thing I look forward to most about heaven is that we will finally see God. How many times have you stood here and lifted up your voices to sing trying to imagine that moment when you will see the one who died for you? Many times, I have felt the presence of God in a worship service and it has been overwhelming. However, what will it be like to be in His actual presence? Pure love, holiness and joy! I look forward to the day when Jesus will meet me at the finish line. I want to hear those words “well done good and faithful servant”. I can’t wait to see Him. Warren Wiersbe says, “For the Christian, Heaven isn’t simply a destination: it’s a motivation.” Motivation to live for Him and to keep our eyes fixed on the prize att he end of the race, eternal life and entering heaven. And what a great reception there will be for one who has successfully finished the race and crossed the finish line.
Henry C. Morrison was a great missionary who served in Africa for over 40 years. On the way back to United States, he began to wonder, “Will anyone remember us? Will anyone recall who we are? Will anyone meet us at the boat?” Well, unknown to Henry Morrison and his wife, Teddy Roosevelt, President of U.S., was also on board that ship. He had gone to Africa for a hunting trip. When ship pulled into New York harbor, Morrison looked to see if anyone had come to welcome them back home. Thousands of people were there cheering. Bands were playing. There were signs, banners, and billboards everywhere saying, “Welcome Home!” Henry and his wife were so excited about the crowds of people that were there to welcome them home. They went down to get their luggage, came back to the deck of the ship to get off and then saw that the parade of people were already gone. They had come to welcome Teddy Roosevelt. Henry Morrison went to his hotel room with a heavy heart. As he sat there on the bed, he asked his wife, “Honey, I just don’t get it…for 40 years we poured our lives into ministry and service. And yet we come back to America and not a single soul comes to welcome us home!” His wife came and sat down next to her husband, put her hand on his shoulder, and comforted him with words that he would never forget, “Henry, you have forgotten something, you’re not home yet!” And may that be of comfort to you. It does not matter what takes place in this life, what accolades you receive or not, your reward is in heaven. Remember, “You’re not home yet!” But we have one to look forward to and what a reception we’ll receive! Amen!
