How to Visit Heaven

By Elizabeth Prata

SYNOPSIS

I reflect on my fascination with glimpses of heaven through biblical accounts from Ezekiel, Isaiah, and John. I illustrate their consistency. I contrast these with other modern claims of heavenly visions which are not consistent. I rejoice in the excitement and purity of heaven as believers’ eternal home.

I visited heaven last Sunday.

Am I going to write a book about it? No. A book has already been written about what I saw there. It’s called the Bible.

I’m fascinated with glimpses of heaven. How do I glimpse heaven? Not by listening to others’ descriptions of their supposed visions or dreams. No. I love to read the visions Ezekiel had, and Isaiah, and John. (Ezekiel 1, Isaiah 6, Revelation 1, 4, etc). Interestingly, the details all three men recorded are consistent with each other. None of the details that other alleged visitors to heaven who allegedly visited there are consistent with each other nor re they consistent even with the Bible.

I read and re-read those glimpses because that is our home! It is where we believers are headed and will dwell for eternity! It is exciting to think about. When Paul said,

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8),

Is there anything more pure to think about than where Jesus dwells? Were perfect purity reigns? Where His sinless redeemed worship? It’s the best.

Though I’ve read through Exodus before, I had overlooked (or the Spirit just now applied the words to my mind) the little nugget nestled in  Exodus 24:9-11.

Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not reach out with His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.

What a glorious blessing the men supped together in unity but then an added blessing was given of having the Divine Presence be with them, foreshadowing Jesus’ habitation with men in the future.

How beautiful is that glimpse of His holy habitation! Jamieson Fausset Commentary says,

“sapphire—one of the most valuable and lustrous of the precious gems—of a sky-blue or light azure color and frequently chosen to describe the throne of God.”

Let’s compare that scene with Ezekiel’s in chapter 1:26,

And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.

Barnes notes says of the Exodus scene, “The pure blue of the heaven above them lent its influence to help the inner sense to realize the vision which no mortal eye could behold.“

When I read these and get to the jewels part it’s hard to visualize (how did he know it as sapphire when it’s clear?) but I envision sparkle, brightness, and purity. With the world becoming more and more wretched, I delight to ponder the purity that awaits.

One final thought, as per the verse in Exodus 24, Nadab and Abihu were part of the group that saw, supped, and were blessed to behold. Yet that was not enough! They still failed to do as the LORD commanded and later, they offered strange fire in worship. They got lazy and would not worship as He had commanded. Perhaps they took their eyes away from the LORD, even though they had seen Him, or at least, His majesty.

Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. 2And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. (Leviticus 10:1-2).

How easy is it for us to do the same, we who have not seen? O, keep your eyes on the Lord! Behold Him always. And when you need a pick-me-up, read of the visions of heaven as recorded in the Bible. What a wonderful day awaits us believers!