With the deaths of several celebrities on the forefront of people's minds, I want to focus this week's question and answer on Heaven. Because the reality is, as human beings, we all have a terminal disease called mortality. The current death rate is 100 percent. Unless Christ returns soon, we’re all going to die. We don’t like to think about death; yet, worldwide, 3 people die every second, 180 every minute, and nearly 11,000 every hour. If the Bible is right about what happens to us after death, it means that more than 250,000 people every day go either to Heaven or Hell.David said, “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath” (Psalm 39:4-5). Picture a single breath escaping your mouth on a cold day and dissipating into the air. Such is the brevity of life here. The wise will consider what awaits us on the other side of this life that so quickly ends.
God uses suffering and impending death to unfasten us from this earth and to set our minds on what lies beyond. I’ve lost people close to me. (Actually, I haven’t lost them, because I know where they are—rather, I’ve lost contact with them.) I’ve spent a lot of time talking to people who’ve been diagnosed with terminal diseases. These people, and their loved ones, have a sudden and insatiable interest in the afterlife. Most people live unprepared for death. But those who are wise will go to a reliable source to investigate what’s on the other side. And if they discover that the choices they make during their brief stay in this world will matter in the world to come, they’ll want to adjust those choices accordingly.
Yet you may be wondering, How can I change my perspective so that I truly look forward to Heaven?
Consider these Scriptures:
Luke 6:21 says, "God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh."
Luke 15:10 says, "There is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents."
Nobody wants to leave a good party early. Christians faced with death often feel they’re leaving the party before it’s over. They have to go home early. They’re disappointed, thinking of all they’ll miss when they leave.
But the truth is, the real party is under way at home—precisely where they’re going! They’re not the ones missing the party; those of us left behind are. (Fortunately, if we know Jesus, we’ll get there eventually to join the party.)One by one, believers will disappear from the world. Those of us who are left behind will grieve that our loved ones have left home. In reality, however, our believing loved ones aren’t leaving home; they’re going home. They’ll be home before us. We’ll be arriving at the party a little later. Laughter and rejoicing—a party awaits us. Don’t you want to join it? (If you aren’t certain you’ll be at the party, check out How Can We Know That We'll Go to Heaven?)
Yet even that party, in the present Heaven, is a preliminary celebration. To be in resurrected bodies on a resurrected Earth in resurrected friendships, enjoying the resurrected culture with the resurrected Jesus—now that will be the ultimate party! We will all be who God made us to be—and none of us will ever suffer or die again. As a Christian, the day I die will be the best day I’ve ever lived. But it won’t be the best day I ever will live. Resurrection day will be far better. And the first day on the New Earth—that will be one big step for mankind, one giant leap for God’s glory.
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Comments:
Praying for you, Randy, as you do the final run-through of your book. And praying it reaches millions!
I look forward to spending time with your sweet family in heaven--and hope to hang out sometime before then too!
I just realized we'll be in Denver (going to zoos!) the same time you're at ICRS. We'll honk and wave!
Dear Sir:
You don't know how much this article blessed my soul. I lost my mother to cancer in Jan. and I have been having such a hard time..and the grieving is unreal. I thank GOD that mom is at the party and she and my family are praying for the rest of us to get there. Like you said, terminal illnesses will make one put their life in perspective. My mother did not get her healing here on earth..even though we prayed for it without ceasing. Why does the Bible say The Believers shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover? That is the one question I want to ask the Lord when I see him face to face. I love him with all my heart..and I know he uses broken things and I look forward to the next chapter in my life. I know he is going to use me in a mighty way. Praise his holy name.
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
I'm so sorry about your loss, but I appreciate your heart for the Lord in spite of your disappointment! God will definitely use you for his glory.
You talk about praying without ceasing, and how I can relate to that! My mother died of cancer, we have two disabled children, and my brother-in-law died a couple of years ago, leaving behind a wife and a two-year-old. Each time, God called us to pray fervently and believe. Each time we were disappointed.
But after my brother-in-law died, I realized that those fervent prayer really blessed him and glorified God. We were doing God's will, as clearly stated in the Bible.
We live in a very broken world where we have to fight a spiritual battle every moment of every day. We don't always understand what happens behind the scenes, in the eternal realm, but when we do God's will in faith, he always blesses us in a very real way. Our faith grows, and we become more useful to God in this battle. I'll never stop praying for healing or believing that the Bible means exactly what it says. God is faithful.
You and your family are in my prayers.
Lisa,
Right after posting my previous comment, I came across this quote from Charles Spurgeon:
"Courage, you that prayerfully work and toil for Christ with success of the very smallest kind, it shall not be so always; better times are before you. Your eyes cannot see the blissful future; borrow the telescope of faith; wipe the misty breath of your doubts from the glass; look through it and behold the coming glory."
Francis...You don't know this but that was GOD using your hands to type to me. That is exactly what I needed to hear and as I sit her crying I too will never stop believing that GOD does heal. I know I don't understand everything but one day I will! Praise his name! My brother has told me over and over...mom may not have received her healing here on earth, but you definitely had her ready for Heaven. I think about his words alot and I know that she left not afraid and she didn't go alone because she was talking to her family that had already passed on. I thank GOD for his mercy and his grace and for choosing me at such an early age to serve him. I also thank him for a praying mother that I was blessed to have for 61 years. Thank you again for your words of encouragement. They really touched me. Love Lisa
P.S. One day I will get to meet you in HEAVEN...and I look forward to it and I will introduce you to the world's greatest mother and you can introduce me to yours as I know you feel the same. *smiles* Please stay in touch socwork@foothills.net
Lisa,
You just encouraged me to pray more, too--to be the kind of mother you had. Thank you!
I did have a strong sense that the Holy Spirit was speaking through me to you when I wrote. Too often people feel guilt when they pray for healing and it doesn't come. (Boy, do I know about that!) But that's the last thing God wants! He's telling you right now, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
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