I Once Thought Heaven Sounded Dull

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Heaven’s Entry Point

A formally dressed but distracted young woman, standing before an escalator leading up to the doorway into Heaven.Why is this young woman hesitating? The doorway to Heaven is one flight up. She doesn’t have to climb a divine stairway or go up Jacob’s ladder (Genesis 28:12). Instead the artist has provided an escalator; so there’s no effort required. Yet this young woman is clearly distracted and gazing at something else.

Maybe Heaven doesn’t seem very appealing.to her.

Well, I can understand that. For a long time, from the little glimpses I’d received from the Scriptures, Heaven looked boring to me too.

But not anymore.

My Early View of Heaven

Remember this scene in Revelation?

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelations 7:9-10

A stirring scene certainly; but I have an earthbound understanding and my mind immediately perceived a problem. The thought was so silly, it made me laugh.

Confession time; I’m a short woman. So when I’m standing surrounded by a crowd, all I see is other people’s backs. To find out what’s happening, I always have to warm my way to the front. So being part of “a great multitude that no one could count” doesn’t sound appealing. My mind pictures me frequently leaping straight up, trying to see over the taller people standing in front of me. Obviously, my view of eternity is a little cockeyed.

Maybe there’s stadium seating in Heaven?

No, probably not.

And “the streets of gold” leave me cold.

But one day I had a sudden insight that changed everything.

Only One Creator

Physically God created a endlessly fascinating and beautiful natural world for humanity to live in. And He did it in less than a week. Friendly dogs, cats the size of mountain lions, sunsets painting the sky, oceans full of strange and wonderful sea creatures. Mountains, volcanos, desert regions, falling ice crystals, microscopic life. Our world is a living work of art.

One day I realized that the same Creator who fashioned this world created Heaven too. That insight alone makes me excited to see what the Divine Artist comes up with next.

Thinking about eternity now, I’m excited. I can’t wait for my mind to be blown.

A sunset, beautifully mirrored in a still sea.

Earth is only a pale version of Heaven, not the other way around. (Greg Laurie)

My Other Misunderstanding of Heaven

I feared subconsciously for years that eternity would be one long dull “retirement” Not a very appealing thought. But I no longer believe that.

Retirement is a man-made concept; I don’t find it in the Bible.

I am who God uniquely made me to be. He created me for a purpose. Strangely, I believe God’s purpose for me doesn’t end when I die. He’s also hard-wired me to love variety and enjoy overcoming challenges. Added to that, the Potter has been busy molding and shaping me into someone new, ever since I came to know Christ years ago.

What’s true of me is true of you too.

None of us knows what God has planned for us next, but I can’t wait to find out. Only one thing I’m certain of; Eternity in Heaven won’t be dull.

These images came from Pixabay.com.

Resources:

Check out Randy Acorn’s book, Heaven. He’s spent 25 years researching the Scriptures about our eternal home and has come up with some interesting insights.


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