Today is a picture-perfect day, at least for mid-November. Seventy degrees, gentle breeze, warm sunshine, and bright blue sky! On top of that, I got to spend the morning with some good friends and was reminded of the blessings in my life. I can’t think of a single thing that I’m lacking – God is good!

Some might take a day like today and say it is like Heaven on earth. While I think it is an exceptional day, no way is this Heaven on earth. Why? Heaven isn’t on earth! Some might argue, life is what you make of it and why not have Heaven now? Can I suggest that our ideas about Heaven are often shaped by our experiences in the here and now? For instance, gold is considered the most valuable commodity on earth, but followers of Jesus will one day dwell with their God in a place where the streets are made of gold! (See Revelation 21) While I celebrate the sunshine on earth on this November afternoon, ahead for me is the continual light of the glory of God and the Lamb, Jesus! (Also Revelation 21)

There are many details I could give you about the eternal hope I have in Jesus, but I’m going to instead point to Tim’s words on page 77 of The Bridge from OneDayBow:

What excited Tim the most? The thought that one great day

He would live there with the King and never go away.

The vision filled His thoughts as he stretched out on the ground,

And before the moment passed, his rest was once more sound.

I must confess, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about Heaven, but I know I want to go there! Today I decided to read Revelation, chapters 19-22, just to remind myself of the good things ahead. While I’m sure it will be beautiful beyond words, there are other aspects even more appealing. Like, there will be perfect justice there – and no more sin! Hallelujah! There will be no need for worry or hurry, and sickness and disease will be things of the past. And speaking of past, God will wipe away every tear. Aw, just thinking about it, I’m longing for Heaven all the more.

Many people who are not particularly “religious”, if at all, still have a hope of Heaven. But like the friend I wrote about in my last blog, it is a “heaven” of their own making. To say that it’s a fantasy may cause defensiveness, but I can’t help but wonder what their hope is built on.

It may be that you don’t believe in the God of the Bible, nor care what I have to say about Him, but please understand one thing: the Heaven of the Bible is first and foremost the dwelling place of God Almighty. Jesus refers to it in John 14:2 as His Father’s House. It is there I’ll be with my Lord Jesus forever!

It may be that you are delaying making a decision, because there are many things in this life you want to “enjoy”. But perhaps you should reconsider your procrastination. After all, if you aren’t willing right now to read God’s Bible, or believe that He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for sin; if you refuse to respond positively to the Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin and His offering a way to be right with God: why would you think He will welcome you into His Heaven? And why would you want to be there?

Heaven isn’t a venue that everyone is entitled to enter for a standard admission fee, nor is it a popular vacation destination. Are you willing to open your doors and extend hospitality to every person who thinks they deserve access? C’mon, let’s be honest about it; if I value my individual freedom, and cling to my right to decide who will live in my house, does God not have the authority to limit entrance to His Heaven?

So, before you take that to mean Heaven is exclusively limited to those God likes best, let me direct you to John 3:16 (Yes, again…) For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Is God’s Heaven exclusive? In a very real sense, yes. It is true that there is only one way to Father God and that is through His Son, Jesus. (John 14:6) But according to John 3:16, the invitation is directed to whoever believes in Him. I think I hear someone saying, “Okay! Sign me up!” But before thinking that you’ve met the requirement, understand that eternal life isn’t merely a destination, it is a consummation. As a follower of Jesus, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, new life is given starting the day of our salvation. That is eternal life in Jesus. Heaven is the place we will be forever united with Jesus in all of His glory, the One we have lived our life for now.

The Lord God is the main attraction of Heaven, and should be the hope of every true believer. But wait, there’s more…

Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 BSB)

Heaven will be far greater than we can yet know because God is far greater than we yet realize!

So based on this Biblical view of Heaven, my question to you is not just, “Wanna go to Heaven?” but rather, “Will you place your faith in the God of Heaven and so dwell in His Presence forever?” If the answer is sincerely, Yes!, you have a wonderful future ahead of you! But don’t wait until Heaven to get to know the One who made it all possible. Get into the Bible, get into a Bible teaching Church, and get ready to share your faith. That’s exactly what Tim will be doing when we take a look at Chapter 18, next time.