Glimpsing Eternity: The Hope of Heaven
What About Our Relationships in Heaven?
Text: Matthew 22:23-32
Introduction: A pastor had asked a deacon to do some rewiring in the sanctuary. The only way to reach it was to enter the attic above the altar and crawl over the ceiling by balancing on the rafters. Working some 20-25 feet above the floor, his wife watched anxiously from one of the pews. As she sat there gazing upward a visitor entered the foyer of the church. He noticed the woman sitting alone, her face turned toward heaven. Not seeing anyone else in the room the man made the logical assumption that the woman was in earnest prayer. Meanwhile the deacon’s wife, now more worried than ever that her husband might come crashing down at any moment, inquired, "Sweetheart, are you up there?" Did you make it okay?" The visitor blushed assuming that he had accidentally intruded on a very personal moment of grief. As he sat quietly, he was startled to hear the woman’s husband respond, "Yes, dear. I’m just fine, but if that preacher ever wants something like this to happen again, he’ll have to do it himself." Don’t you wish heaven was kind of like that? Wouldn’t it be great if we could continue to carry on conversations with those who have preceded us in death? Think of all the great questions we could ask! What’s it like there? Can you see God? Have you run into your grandmother? Are there any great golf courses in heaven?
Well, obviously, the Lord has not provided us with this sort of opportunity. He has, however, taken some steps to address some of these same issues in the Bible so that we will not be ignorant of what to expect. In our third message from the series entitled Glimpsing Eternity: the Hope of Heaven, we’re going to spend the next 25 minutes looking at what the Scriptures say about the relationships that we will have with others in heaven.
I. Our relationship with God. The Psalmist says that to desire heaven is to desire God (See Psalm 73:25). What will make it so special for us is the opportunity to dwell in His very presence (See Revelation 21:3)!
A. In heaven, we will see God face to face (See Revelation 22:3b-4). Once sin was introduced into the world, mankind was no longer able to look at the face of God (Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God--Matthew 5:8). You may remember that when Moses asked to see the glory of Yahweh, he was only permitted to look at the back of God as He passed by (See Exodus 33:18-23). The Apostle Paul reminds us that God lives in unapproachable light (See 1 Timothy 6:15b-16a). While in this body, we are not able to gaze upon His beauty lest we die. But in heaven we will look upon Him and instantly think to ourselves that we have never seen anyone or anything that was so absolutely breathtaking.
B. In heaven we will see Jesus in all His glory (See 1 John 3:2). We should not take this lightly. When Jesus took on human flesh, he set aside his glory and entered the world in the most humble of circumstances, a baby forced to be born in a manger. He grew up in a family that had few resources and worked as a carpenter. Even in His earthly ministry Jesus did not receive the honor that was His due (See John 1:10-11). He died the death of a criminal and was placed in a borrowed tomb. Yet, later when John the Apostle saw Christ in a vision, He was completely overwhelmed so that "he fell at His feet as though dead." (See Revelation 1:12-17a)." The glory that was Christ’s before His incarnation was restored following His ascension and glorification (See John 17:5). We, too, will see Jesus the way John saw Him. When we do, we will never think of Him the same way again..
C. In heaven we will be presented to Christ as His bride (See Revelation 19:6-9). In biblical times, a marriage involved two major events, the betrothal (or engagement) and the wedding. These were normally separated by a period of time (For an example consider Joseph and Mary -- Matthew 1:18-24). The same is true for us as believers. Christians have been betrothed to Christ by faith, yet we anticipate that some day in the future we will be presented to Him as a pure and holy bride. Application: Make no mistake, what makes heaven so appealing is not the absence of tears or pain or death or sorrow. It is the presence of God the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and the opportunity to gaze upon their majesty! When I went to Washington, D. C. I had the opportunity to stand perhaps eight feet from the President for just a few moments. For this to happen, I had to receive an invitation, undergo a background search, be personally searched by a Secret Service Agent, and wait for at least a couple of hours outside the White House. All for the chance to come with in a few feet of the most powerful man in the world. You know what? I’d do it again. It was a special moment for me. Yet it pales in comparison to the knowledge that I will some day see God face to face and His Son, my Lord, in the fullness of His glory.
II. Our relationships with each other. Some people argue that Christians will not require relationships with other human beings in heaven. Their logic goes something like this: If God is all we need, then He will be all we have (See Psalm 73:25). But this view doesn’t seem to fit with the teaching of the Bible. If you remember, God created us in the garden with the need for human companionship. Note that this was true even before the introduction of sin into our world (See Genesis 3:1ff). The introduction of meaningful human companionship turned God’s assessment of "not good (See Genesis 2:18)" into a declaration of "very good (See Genesis 1:31)." It makes no sense to argue that this companionship will be discontinued in heaven. As Randy Alcorn says in his book, Heaven, "To take pleasure in another image-bearer (See Genesis 1:28) does not offend God, but pleases Him! WHAT CAN WE SAY ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIPS TO ONE ANOTHER IN HEAVEN?
A. We will recognize each other and share memories of our lives together. We know that Christ’s disciples recognized Him as He walked around in His glorified body (See John 21:7). Moses and Elijah were recognizable during the transfiguration of Christ (See Luke 9:29-33). In addition, Scripture gives us no indication that God will wipe away our memories, so it seems that will keep them. As a matter of fact, we are told that we shall be like our Lord Jesus (See 1 John 3:2). Surely this doesn’t mean in holiness only, but in everything! If, following His resurrection, Jesus knew His disciples and remembered His life on earth (See Mark 16:14), why shouldn’t we?
B. We will pursue and develop new relationships (See Mark 3:33-35). It is inconceivable that we, as a part of the family of Christ, will not have the opportunity to get to know our brothers and sisters better. To be a part of a family is to build relationships with one another. It seems far better to assume that we will be able to meet new people and develop new friendships. Won’t it be something to be able to spend time with Abraham or Moses or Elijah or Peter?
C. We will be as close to each other as we are now to our spouses (See Matthew 22:30). The one-flesh relationship we currently enjoy in marriage is a signpost pointing to our relationship with Christ, who is our bridegroom. Once we reach our final destination, the signpost will no longer be necessary. The purpose of marriage is not to replace heaven, but to prepare us for it (See Ephesians 5:31-32). Does this mean that we will not be as close to our husbands or wives as we have been in this world? Not at all! We will be closer knowing that God chose us for each other so that we might sample what life will be like with Him on the New Earth.
D. We will not mourn those who are in Hell. In heaven, we will see things from God’s perspective which means that we will fully agree with His righteous judgment of the wicked (See Revelation 18:20--The word rejoice in this passage means to "put in a good frame of mind."). Rather than question what He is doing, we will praise God for His grace and mercy evidenced in the fact that we are not also in Hell.
E. We will discover new things together. God has made us learners (See Matthew 11:29). When we go to be with Him in heaven, we will not suddenly become all-knowing as God is (See 1 John 3:20). We will continue to grow in our understanding of things and perhaps even disagree (though not in a sinful, argumentative way) at times.
III. Our relationship with animals. The Bible gives strong indication that there will be animals in heaven (See Isaiah 65:25--some people argue that this passage is talking about the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth. This doesn’t seem to be the case, however, because Isaiah tells us that there will be no more harm on the earth. How could this be the case when we know that the millennium will end in warfare and destruction?). Besides, Christ says, "Behold I make all things new (See Revelation 21:5)." Does this not also include the earth and the animals that dwell in it? Here’s a few observations about animals from the scriptures.
A. Animals are God’s creatures (See Psalm 50:10-11). He has always been concerned for their care (See Exodus 20:10--the animals were to have a day of rest just like mankind.)
B. Animals have been used by God to fulfill His purposes. Ravens fed Elijah (See 1 Kings 17:4, 6); A great fish swallowed Jonah (See Jonah 1:17); two bears mauled 42 youths at the command of the prophet Elisha (See 2 Kings 2:24); and a donkey spoke to Balaam (See Numbers 22:28).
C. Animals are capable of praising God. You say to yourself, "How can this be?" I’m not sure how it happens, but I know that it does (See Psalm 148:7, 10).
D. Animals display God’s attributes (See Romans 1:20). When we look at them, we can see God’s creativity and power. Application: When we get to the New Jerusalem, and the curse has finally been lifted, we will see even more of God’s attributes in the animals that live there...his sense of humor (duckbill platypus), his playfulness (puppies) and appreciation of strength (lion) etc.
Conclusion: Randy Alcorn reminds us that Adam, Noah and Jesus are the three heads of the three earths (earth before the fall, after the fall, and the new heavens and new earth). When Adam was created, God surrounded him with animals. When Noah was delivered, God surrounded him with animals. When Jesus was born, once again, God surrounded Him with animals. When Christ establishes the new heavens and new earth, do we think for a moment that there will not also be animals there as well?
There is one more issue related to animals that I want to address. Is it possible for our pets to go to heaven? It seems pretty clear that there will be animals in heaven. Logically they can only get there if (1) God makes new animals, (2) God raises dead ones, or (3) God makes some new while raising others. I do not know what God will do to populate the new earth with animals. I do, however, know that God will redeem (buy back) the whole earth (See Romans 8:20). The majority, if not all of us, would agree that this includes the ground. Perhaps it also includes some of our pets.
