Many believers long for heaven because we believe that it will be mainly a life of ease. There will be no more crying, no more sickness, no more death, and we will be reunited with loved ones already departed. We fancy that we will have an eternity of doing the things we want: unlimited, perfect games of golf, sleeping late, grilling Paul concerning theology, talking to the Old Testament saints, etc. We have developed these ideas because we have heard people speak in such ways, or we love gospel songs that intimate these things.
Where in Scripture does it record such things as the goal of heaven? It is true. There will be no more sin, pain, crying, etc. That is a by-product or result of our glorification. However, that is not the ultimate goal of heaven. The ultimate goal of heaven is being made like Christ in His perfect humanity and eternally worshiping God for His glory.
In other words, heaven will be God-centered and not man-centered. I love the words of Asaph in Ps. 73:25. He writes:
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you?"
This is the essence of heaven. We will be with God for eternity. Heaven will NOT be heaven because of the "by-products or results of glorification." As appealing as all of those blessings are, if we are not with God for eternity, it will not be heaven.
Read Revelation 4-5, 19-22 and see if it records anywhere that heaven will be focused on us, our comfort, or our glory. Instead, it records the magnificent worship of God by large, innumerable hosts, the ultimate and consummate victory of God in Christ, the final judgment day, and the glory of the New Heavens and New earth.
We do not understand everything concerning heaven and eternity (1 John 3:1-3), but we know that we will be like our Lord in His perfected humanity. Just as everything He did was according to God's will and glory, so heaven will be for all those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.Heaven isn't focused on man and His wants. Heaven is about our faith being made sight and spending eternity growing in our love for, knowledge of, and worship of the infinite, sovereign, holy God of all glory.
Whom do you have in heaven you want more than God? What is there on earth you want more than to know Him, love Him, follow Him, obey Him, and glorify Him? Our answer truly reveals what we are living for more than anything or anyone else.
Where in Scripture does it record such things as the goal of heaven? It is true. There will be no more sin, pain, crying, etc. That is a by-product or result of our glorification. However, that is not the ultimate goal of heaven. The ultimate goal of heaven is being made like Christ in His perfect humanity and eternally worshiping God for His glory.
In other words, heaven will be God-centered and not man-centered. I love the words of Asaph in Ps. 73:25. He writes:
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you?"
This is the essence of heaven. We will be with God for eternity. Heaven will NOT be heaven because of the "by-products or results of glorification." As appealing as all of those blessings are, if we are not with God for eternity, it will not be heaven.
Read Revelation 4-5, 19-22 and see if it records anywhere that heaven will be focused on us, our comfort, or our glory. Instead, it records the magnificent worship of God by large, innumerable hosts, the ultimate and consummate victory of God in Christ, the final judgment day, and the glory of the New Heavens and New earth.
We do not understand everything concerning heaven and eternity (1 John 3:1-3), but we know that we will be like our Lord in His perfected humanity. Just as everything He did was according to God's will and glory, so heaven will be for all those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.Heaven isn't focused on man and His wants. Heaven is about our faith being made sight and spending eternity growing in our love for, knowledge of, and worship of the infinite, sovereign, holy God of all glory.
Whom do you have in heaven you want more than God? What is there on earth you want more than to know Him, love Him, follow Him, obey Him, and glorify Him? Our answer truly reveals what we are living for more than anything or anyone else.
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