Eternity—I Got Heaven On My Mind.
1 Corinthians 2:9NIV
In his classical devotional book titled the Saints Everlasting Rest, English Puritan Pastor and Arthur Richard Baxter 1615-1691 wrote, why are not our hearts continually set on heaven? Why dwell we not there in constant contemplation?… bend thy soul to study eternity, busy thyself about the life to come, habituate thyself to such contemplation, and let not those thoughts be seldom and cursory (Hasty), but be thyself in heavens delight.
Baxter goes on to point out four benefits of thinking about heaven.
It protects us from temptation because it keeps the heart focused on what pleases God.
It maintains the vigor of the Christian life.
It provides medicine for our afflictions, cheering our spirits and easing our suffering.
It makes us an encouragement to other believers.
With this in mind, I ask as Baxter did, “Why are not our hearts continually set on heaven?”
1 Corinthians 2:9NIV However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him.
In 1 Corinthians 2:9, The apostles Paul referenced, Isaiah 64:4NKJV For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9TPT This is why the Scriptures say: Things never discovered or heard of before, things beyond our ability to imagine— these are the many things God has in store for all his lovers.
Paul speaks with certainty of God’s ability to supersede man’s intellect and His greatness.
Think about this: How long is eternity? Forever and forever. There was a time when you were not, but there will never be a time when you will not be. When Cesar ruled Rome, you were not. When Columbus sailed the world, you were not. When the founding fathers established America, you were not. But there will never be a day from now on when you will not be somewhere.
Your mind probably cannot grasp the truth that in 1 million years, 5 million years, 1 billion years from now, your soul will be alive somewhere. If you love and serve Jesus, your last breath here on earth, will be your first breath in heaven forever and ever. I hope that encourages you, it does me.
Jesus spoke this truth to His disciples, John 14:1-4NKJV “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Jesus didn't leave this earth to prepare just any place for those who believe in him. Heaven is more spectacular than we can imagine.
The promise of heaven is real. We are going to stand on the streets of gold one day. We are going to hug everyone we love who arrived there before us. We're going to dance in the presence of Jesus. It's real. And it's waiting for us. This world is not our final destination. It's not our true home. Our home is with our father in heaven.
There is a story about a little boy who was born blind. He had never seen his mothers face. He had never seen the beauties of nature. He had never seen a sunset. He had never seen a flower. He had never seen snow. Over the years, his mother had tried her best to describe these things to him. One day, she heard about a renowned doctor he could perform a surgery that gave those who are blind their sight. She took her son for a consultation, and her son was approved for surgery. The operation was successful. After a period of recovery, it was time for the boy to have the bandages that had covered his eye since the surgery removed. When the final one was unwrapped, it took a second or two for the boy to focus. Suddenly, he ran to the window and grasped. Golden sunshine illuminated the sparkling blue sky. The grass was vibrant green and the flowers draped with such colors! His eyes wide, the boy turned to his mother and said, “Oh, mother, why didn't you tell me I was living in such a beautiful world?”
With tears falling down her cheeks, she replied, “Sweetheart I tried. I just couldn't do it justice.”
Revelation 21:1-3NKJV Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
Notice verse 1b…There will be no more sea.
This doesn't mean there won't be beautiful bodies of water. There's a deeper meaning to the word sea here.
It may sound like a strange statement, but in ancient days the sea represented separation and storms. The sea separated people from families and was associated with raging weather. In other words, in heaven, they'll be no more separation from our loved ones, and we will not see another storm for all eternity.
The old, the broken, the ugly, the failure, the sin is gone. In heaven, all things are made new. We will have new names, new bodies, new homes and new natures. We will live in a new city, drink new wine and sing new songs.
Heaven is mentioned in 54 of the 66 books of the Bible. In the book of Matthew alone, Jesus mentions it 70 times. If Heaven is not real, then the Bible is a lie.
When Jesus was ascending into heaven after his death and resurrection, his disciples stood all struck, staring after his dramatic exit. Suddenly, two angels appeared alongside them. Acts 1:11, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up in heaven? they asked the disciples. This same Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will also come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven.
Paul wrote, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18NKJV For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Notice the last sentence, Therefore comfort one another with these words.
CS Lewis wrote, if you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman empire, the great men who built the middle ages, the English evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, all left their marked on earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with heaven.
When God told John to come up here and see heaven, the Bible says that immediately he was there. Can you imagine? Faster than the speed of light! In the twinkling of an eye, we will be changed. Death will be swallowed up in victory.
Life on this earth is hard. But as believers? We have the hope of eternity stored up in us.
Revelation 21:4 says, God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there will be no more death, no sorrow, no crying. There should be no more pain.
Heaven is a place of life. Envision right now the most beautiful place you've ever been to. Maybe it's a tropical paradise with a crystal clear beach, swaying palm trees, warm sunlight beaming on your face. Maybe it's a majestic mountain scene, rushing waterfall top tumbling over jagged rocks. Maybe it's the landscape of glorious autumn Aspen on a hillside lit by the glowing light of the dawn.
Think of your friends and family who loved Jesus and have gone on before you. They're running to you with open arms. Picture them as you're walking together in this beautiful place. You're laughing. You're playing. You're talking. You're reminiscing. You're hugging.
But someone is coming, It's Jesus. He has a big smile on his face. See yourself falling to your knees. As he pulls you up and embraces you, he says with a smile as bright as the sun, Welcome home. You have entered into the joy of the Lord.
Heaven is a place of rejoicing. Hundreds of thousands of angels, living creatures and elders gather around the throne of God and worship him.
Heaven is also a place of reunion. Our love ones on earth are separated by death, separated by sorrow, separated by tragedy, but when we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing it will be.
1 Corinthians 13:12NKJV For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
Paul wrote in Ephesians that in heaven, the whole family of God is there.
There will be no funeral homes in heaven. There will be no hospitals. There will be no divorce courts. There will be no bankruptcy courts. There will be no addiction centers. There will be no teen suicide. There will be no pornography. There will be no cancer. There will be no rape. There will be no missing children. There will be no drug problems. There will be no gangs. There will be no shootings. There will be no acts of terrorism. There will be no racial tension or racial divide in heaven. There will be no prejudice. There will be no injustice. There will be no misunderstandings. There will be no harsh words. There will be no hurt feelings. There will be no arguments. There will be no eating disorders. There will be no jealousy. There will be no rage. There will be no gossip. There will be no worry. There will be no depression. There will be no child abuse. There will be no wars. There will be no emotional breakdowns. There will be no murders. There will be no trials. No trauma. No Temptations. There will be no heart monitors. There be no wheelchairs. There will be no rust. There be no bad habits. There will be no lock doors. There will be no sin. There will be no accidents. There will be no suffering. There will be no separation. There will be no starvation. There will be no tears. Because he is going to wipe every tear from our eyes!
Think about it, No sorrow. No sickness. No death. No pain!
1 Corinthians 15:58NKJV Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
One final word, get heaven on your mind.
Heaven is a real place filled with wonders beyond what we can even begin to imagine. Heaven is no fairytale.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18NKJV For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
When you get your mind on heaven, you will see your situations on earth in a new light.
Don't live for pleasure—Don’t live for things that temporarily satisfy. Live for Jesus today. The time is now.
Revelation 19:7-8NKJV Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
In closing, your garments will be constructed by your righteous acts, what you do on earth, how you live for Jesus now. Some of you will have a beautiful gown at the marriage supper, and some of you will just have enough linen for a pair of socks.
Your service to God here, will determine your quality of reward there.
Benediction. It all begins as you get heaven on your mind.
