Foundations of Faith
WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE? (II)
When “our earthly house … [is] dissolved, we have a building of God … eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven…. Not that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life” (2 Cor. 5:1-4). The apostle Paul looked forward, not just to being released from the trials, labors, and pain of his earthly life, but to being clothed upon with his new body that would perfectly fit him for heaven. The relationship between our present “natural body” and our future, “spiritual body” is likened to that between a seed that is sown and the plant or tree that grows from that seed (1 Cor. 15:35-44). In other words, our present bodies are like a seed and our future bodies will be like the full-grown plant.
This suggests powers and capabilities that go far beyond those of our present bodies. With our new bodies we may be able to sing with perfect pitch, harmony, and rhythm, and perhaps with a much wider range than we have presently. Similarly, we may have keener hearing and vision and be able to see a much wider spectrum of color and discern more subtle differences among colors.
Our new bodies, if like Christ’s resurrection body, will be capable of eating (Luke 24:43; John 21:13; see also Rev. 22:2; however 1 Cor. 6:13 suggests the contrary thought). If we will eat in heaven, we can well imagine having taste buds that are sensitive to a far greater range of taste experiences than at present. But if it turns out that there is no eating in heaven, not to worry! We can be certain that the Lord has prepared other pleasures so wonderful that they will cause us to forget we used to eat (Psa. 16:11).
While heaven will be a happy place, it is first and foremost a holy place (see Assignment 15 below), dominated by a holy God, His sinless Son, and the Holy Spirit. We have been predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Rom. 8:29), and “when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Just think of it! In heaven there will be no pride, no offenses, no hard feelings, no selfishness, no put downs, no hypocrisy, no disappointment. Every individual will be totally righteous, good, loving, giving, friendly, helpful, patient, kind, meek, and humble.
“You who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight” (Col. 1:21,22). (See Assignment 16)
Far above all the other blessings of heaven mentioned above, we shall “be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8; also Luke 23:43; John 17:24; Phil. 1:23; 1 Thess. 4:16,17; Rev. 20:4); we shall see His face (1 John 3:2; Rev. 1:13-16; 5:6-8), hear His voice (2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 1:17-20), and be united with Christ as bride with Bridegroom (John 3:29; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7-9).
What a wonderful future lies ahead of every born again child of God! We are living in very unstable and uncertain times:terrorism, famine, violence, natural disasters, injustice, divorce, child abuse, and widespread immorality abound in our world (see Matt. 24:6-8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5). Instead of despairing over what is happening to this world we live in, let us “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2).
May we live out our days on earth as citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20) and with our hearts set upon our eternal home and upon our blessed Lord and Saviour. Let us devote our lives, time, talents, and energies to serving the One who gave His all for us (1 Cor. 6:19,20).
Running the Race
HOW SHALL WE THEN LIVE IN VIEW OF HEAVEN?
Are you looking forward to going to heaven, as the apostle Paul was (2 Cor. 5:2,4,8; Phil. 1:23)? Would you be happy if the Lord came today (1 Thess. 4:17,18)? Do you believe that “in [God’s] presence is fullness of joy; at [His] right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psa 16:11)? Do you truly believe that heaven will be at least a million times more enjoyable than your present life on earth?
If your answer to each of these questions is “yes,” then you will be interested in beginning to enjoy the pleasures of heaven right now. Here are a few suggestions as starters:
1. Singing hymns of redemption with other believers in Christ (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
2. Gaining as much knowledge as possible of the Bible, of God’s attributes, and of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18).
3. Serving the Lord (Psa. 100:2; Rom. 1:9; 14:18; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:14).
4. Not sinning, being holy (Rom. 6:11; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 4:3,4; 2 Tim. 2:21; Heb. 12:10; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2:21-23; 1 John 2:1).
5. Being reconciled with persons from whom we are estranged (Matt. 5:23,24; 6:14; 1 Cor. 7:11; Jas. 5:16).
6. Beholding, communing with, and meditating upon Christ (John 15:4; 2 Cor. 3:18; Col. 3:1-3).
7. Being zealous in spreading the gospel of salvation to as many others as possible before the “day of salvation” comes to a close (2 Cor. 6:2; Eph. 5:16; Luke 19:13).
May “the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ” (2 Thess. 3:5; 1 Thess. 1:10).
CONGRATULATIONS!
Kate Sipple (Pennsylvania) completed all 28 assignments for 2001 with a perfect score.Assignment 17: The following is a review quiz based on the Year-2002 issues of GROWING. Please refer back to the indicated issue when answering each question.
1. (Jan.) Write out four ways believers have been blessed as a result of the ascension of Christ to heaven.
2. (Feb.) What is the difference between the work of Christ as High Priest and His work as Advocate?