Heaven is one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith. While the Bible gives us a glimpse into heaven, it is just that, a glimpse. We only know such a small fraction of what heaven will truly be like. These glimpses give us hope for the reality that awaits us after our time in this world is done. But what exactly is the gift of heaven?
First, it is Jesus. The great hope of heaven is that our faith will give way to sight. We will see our risen savior, Jesus, for the first time. We will see his nail scarred hands. We will see his pierced feet. We will see him in all of his glory. The great and first joy of heaven will be meeting our Jesus face to face. (Luke 23:43; 1 Cor. 13:12; John 14:1-3; John 20:20)
Second, we will be new. Our pain. Our sorrow. Our shame and guilt. Our brokenness. All of it will be gone. It will be replaced with the promise of our resurrection bodies. (Rev. 21:4; Phil. 3:21)
Third, we will be home. We have spent our entire existence longing for a place we have never been. From the moment of our creation, eternity was placed into the heart of man.
We sojourned in this world looking forward to a place whose builder and founder is God. Our first few moments in heaven will be filled with the simple reality: I am home. (Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11; 2 Cor. 5:1)
Fourth, we will be reunited. God created us from the very beginning as people who existed in community with others. This sin filled world breaks our community with one another as our loved ones die and go on to heaven before us. This breaking of community leaves us with feelings of hurt, loneliness, and sadness. However, our first steps into heaven will dissolve these former emotions. Heaven will bring us into perfect community with all of those in Christ. (1 Thess. 4: 13-18; Rev. 7:9; Gen. 35:29; Gen. 25:8)
For all of those in Christ Jesus, heaven is our forever home. It is the promise of Jesus that “that he has gone to prepare a place for us.” This promise will be fulfilled when “he comes again to take us to himself.” Until that day, watch and wait for no one knows the hour.
We simply say, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Article written by BJ Eason.
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