Heaven

We would like to invite you to leave this world behind for a moment and think about heaven. We assume that you believe that heaven is a reality. Regardless of what a person believes or not, most people agree that there is a place, which we call heaven, where a person can stay for eternity.

Let us first consider the eternity of heaven. Heaven is a dwelling place for the righteous, a place without end. There is no passing of time there, but the bliss of the righteous lasts forever, without interruption. Although there are no years in heaven, let us imagine that there are.

Think of ten thousand years compared to this short life on earth. Then multiply this number by ten thousand to get one hundred million years. That’s more than our minds can fathom. But even that is only a tiny fraction of eternity. Even if such a period of time had elapsed, not even the smallest part of eternity would have passed as it has no end. Such a place, never ending, could be the future abode for us. Perhaps you think of loved ones who were believers and have gone to this place, to this home of never-ending bliss. Perhaps some of them are especially precious and dear to you. There they live forever, and you can see them again once you yourself are ready for heaven, once you leave this world behind.

Let us look at the reality of heaven. In heaven, there is the throne of God. In the book of Revelation, we read that John saw a stream of pure, clear water flowing from the throne of God. This informs us of the absolute purity of the throne of God. John also speaks of the great white throne – again, white is a symbol of purity. He goes on to describe a rainbow that resembles an emerald and surrounds the throne. God, who sits on the throne, is holy. Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God, is holy. The angels are holy, and all who dwell in heaven are holy.

Heaven is so holy that nothing unclean can enter there. “There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27). This place of purity can only be the eternal home of those who are pure in heart: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Those who die in their sins cannot enter heaven. That is why Jesus came into this world: to save people from their sins. He wants everyone to be saved.

Heaven is a place of love. Only people who love are there. Those who do not love cannot enter there. This thought alone should increase our longing to go there. Many people in our world lack love. Hatred, malice, envy, strife, gossip, slander, and suspicion are common everywhere. But in heaven, there will be none of these things. Think of a place where great numbers of holy angels are gathered and a redeemed multitude from all nations, peoples, and languages, greater than anyone can count – and yet they all love one another. Can you fathom that? I would like to spend eternity in such a place. 

Heaven is indeed a place of bliss. There are no more tears there; they are all wiped away. This is not just my imagination. The Bible tells us that “the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8).

Our time on earth is a time of sowing, whereas heaven is a place of harvest. On earth we often sow with tears, but there we will reap with joy. This does not mean that we do not experience joy here on earth, but in a special sense, heaven is truly a place of harvest. The Bible tells us that there will be no suffering, pain, or crying in heaven. 

Even death will not be there. O heaven, land of purity! The concept of angels playing sweet music on golden harps cannot be truly comprehended by mere mortals. No suffering can penetrate this realm of bliss. The sweet songs of angelic voices of those gathered around the throne of God, the songs of praise of the multitude of the redeemed by the blood – all this and much more will delight the inhabitants of the heavenly realm forever. 

Heaven is a place without an end. There is no night there, no darkness that descends. There is eternal light. Neither sun nor moon are needed, for the light of God’s eternal presence floods the heavenly city with such splendor that even the deepest darkness of hell cannot cast the slightest shadow there. A sea of glory pours out from the great white throne and flows through the heavenly realms. The redeemed of all nations will walk in this light.

Are you redeemed from your sins, dear reader? Are you saved by the blood of Christ? Are you sure of your salvation? Do you have a fervent desire to walk in these heavenly realms and spend eternity in heaven? Such a glorious, undefiled, and unfading inheritance is waiting for you. Make sure that you meet the conditions that the Word of God shows us in order to receive all of this.

C.E. Orr