Heaven: Why We Are Afraid To Go There
This is part 2 of our Heaven blog series. Pastor Phil preached a fantastic series on Heaven at Foothills Church many years ago. I've asked him for his manuscripts, so I could re-publish them here on the blog. I hope you find it as encouraging as I have. Because it is a sermon manuscript, it reads a little longer than our usual blog posts, but I promise it's worth the read! — Kaley Morgan
Written by Phil Christiansen
Why a series about Heaven? I want those who love Jesus to have a genuine hope and to know why they are hopeful when they think and talk about Heaven. I hope this series will eliminate some fear about what is to come. My prayer is that this series will create a longing in us; a deep, sincere “I can’t wait†and that this yearning will fuel our lives while we are here.
There are a bunch of misunderstandings, myths and lies out there that make some people—even people who love Jesus—afraid to go to Heaven. That’s why I want to take our time this week to focus on some of the reasons people are afraid to go there. I want to clear up those misunderstandings so fear can be relieved. I want for you to be excited about the eternity God is preparing for you—not just grit your teeth and say, ‘Well, okay. I guess I’ll go to Heaven.’
Why a series about Heaven? I want those who love Jesus to have a genuine hope and to know why they are hopeful when they think and talk about Heaven. I hope this series will eliminate some fear about what is to come. My prayer is that this series will create a longing in us; a deep, sincere “I can’t wait†and that this yearning will fuel our lives while we are here.
There are a bunch of misunderstandings, myths and lies out there that make some people—even people who love Jesus—afraid to go to Heaven. That’s why I want to take our time this week to focus on some of the reasons people are afraid to go there. I want to clear up those misunderstandings so fear can be relieved. I want for you to be excited about the eternity God is preparing for you—not just grit your teeth and say, ‘Well, okay. I guess I’ll go to Heaven.’
Afraid of Death
I’m sure you heard about the teacher who asked the children in her Sunday School class, "If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would I get into heaven?"
"NO!" the children all answered.
"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into heaven?"
Again, the answer was "NO!"
"Well," she continued, "then how can I get to heaven?"
In the back of the room, a five-year-old boy shouted out, "You gotta be dead!"
That’s our first, and likely greatest, fear when it comes to thinking about Heaven. Many people confess, I’m afraid of death.
Death is an intruder—an enemy. Death comes to us because we live under the curse of sin. It’s not what God had in mind for us when He first built humans, but because of sin, it is now our very unwelcome reality. But here’s what I want you to know: In Christ we have victory over death. Listen to Hebrews chapter 2, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death†(Heb 2:14-15).
Because of Jesus’ death, we are free from the bondage of fear that comes from death. The devil is no longer in charge. Jesus is in charge. Revelation 1:18 says, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.†That’s good news, guys! We don’t have to be afraid of death because Christ has set us free from the power and penalty of sin!
Here’s a little more for you. Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am†(John 14:3). And in John 17, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world†(v 24). See? You don’t need to be afraid of death because Jesus is the victorious One—He conquered not only sin, but death. He’s in charge of how everything unfolds and He wants you to be with Him. He wants you with Him.
Even better, Jesus promised not just to have you be with Him, but promised that He would be with you. At the end of the great commission in Matthew 28, Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age†(v 20b). God promises to never leave you or forsake you. He promises. That includes being with you in your transition from life on the earth to life in the present Heaven. Or, if we’re still living when He returns to fully establish His Kingdom, He’ll be with you when your spirit and resurrected, perfected, extraordinary body are together again and you will live with Him forever in His Kingdom. He wants you with Him and He wants to be with you!
Yes, death is an enemy. We resist it. We do all we can to avoid it. We battle it. But we do not need to be afraid of it. Death is simply the declaration that you are one step closer to spending eternity with the One who made you for Himself.
"NO!" the children all answered.
"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into heaven?"
Again, the answer was "NO!"
"Well," she continued, "then how can I get to heaven?"
In the back of the room, a five-year-old boy shouted out, "You gotta be dead!"
That’s our first, and likely greatest, fear when it comes to thinking about Heaven. Many people confess, I’m afraid of death.
Death is an intruder—an enemy. Death comes to us because we live under the curse of sin. It’s not what God had in mind for us when He first built humans, but because of sin, it is now our very unwelcome reality. But here’s what I want you to know: In Christ we have victory over death. Listen to Hebrews chapter 2, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death†(Heb 2:14-15).
Because of Jesus’ death, we are free from the bondage of fear that comes from death. The devil is no longer in charge. Jesus is in charge. Revelation 1:18 says, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.†That’s good news, guys! We don’t have to be afraid of death because Christ has set us free from the power and penalty of sin!
Here’s a little more for you. Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am†(John 14:3). And in John 17, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world†(v 24). See? You don’t need to be afraid of death because Jesus is the victorious One—He conquered not only sin, but death. He’s in charge of how everything unfolds and He wants you to be with Him. He wants you with Him.
Even better, Jesus promised not just to have you be with Him, but promised that He would be with you. At the end of the great commission in Matthew 28, Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age†(v 20b). God promises to never leave you or forsake you. He promises. That includes being with you in your transition from life on the earth to life in the present Heaven. Or, if we’re still living when He returns to fully establish His Kingdom, He’ll be with you when your spirit and resurrected, perfected, extraordinary body are together again and you will live with Him forever in His Kingdom. He wants you with Him and He wants to be with you!
Yes, death is an enemy. We resist it. We do all we can to avoid it. We battle it. But we do not need to be afraid of it. Death is simply the declaration that you are one step closer to spending eternity with the One who made you for Himself.
Afraid I Won't Know My Loved Ones
Another common misunderstanding comes out in conversations when people say things like, I’m afraid I won’t know my loved ones. The misunderstanding is that once we get to Heaven, because we won’t cry or have any more pain, that we cannot have any memories. And, if we don’t have any memories, then we won’t know our loved ones or anyone else, except Jesus. But the promise of no more sorrow, pain, and tears is for the Eternal, the New Heaven. Let me put your hearts at ease: you will know your loved ones—and your friends—and Jesus. Let me unpack each of the reasons for which I believe this to be true.
First, there will be a time when we will have to give an account of our lives while on the Earth (2 Cor 5:10; Matthew 12:36). At that time of judgment, we must have memories of the events that took place if we are going to be held accountable for them. And, I don’t know about you, but I forget stuff all the time: where I put my keys, names of people I just met, appointments, and where I hid the “surprise†for my wife for Mother’s Day. There are whole years of my childhood that I can’t remember. If I am going to stand before the Lord and give account for everything, then I expect that my memory will be even better in Heaven than it currently is! If all that is true, and I believe it is, then you certainly must remember your loved ones and friends when you’re in Heaven.
Here is kind of silly observation but if we are going to worship Jesus for what He’s done for us, then we must be able to remember what He has done. If we’re going to express our gratitude and praise to God for His amazing grace and love, then our memories must be intact.
Consider the Martyrs under the altar in the present Heaven in Revelation 6:10. “They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’†This sounds to me like those martyrs remember that they were killed and that God would avenge their murders.
Think about Jesus after His resurrection. He suddenly stood among His disciples and they freaked out thinking He was a ghost. “He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.†Then He asked the guys for something to eat! From there Jesus went on to talk with them and remind them of what He had told them before His death (Luke 24:36-49). Jesus’ memory was intact. He knew His friends. He knew His role on the earth. He knew that He’d return to the Father. There was continuity between the Jesus who talked with them before His death and after His resurrection. Not just in how He looked, but also His memories. Philippians 3:21 tells us that Jesus, “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.†And Jesus is our model for what we’ll be like when we’re resurrected (1 Cor. 15:20).
There will be a continuity between the you here today and the you that will be in either the present or Eternal Heaven. Granted, the heavenly you/me will be sinless, glorified, and perfected, but it will still be you/me. Because of that, I believe you will know your loved ones in Heaven.
First, there will be a time when we will have to give an account of our lives while on the Earth (2 Cor 5:10; Matthew 12:36). At that time of judgment, we must have memories of the events that took place if we are going to be held accountable for them. And, I don’t know about you, but I forget stuff all the time: where I put my keys, names of people I just met, appointments, and where I hid the “surprise†for my wife for Mother’s Day. There are whole years of my childhood that I can’t remember. If I am going to stand before the Lord and give account for everything, then I expect that my memory will be even better in Heaven than it currently is! If all that is true, and I believe it is, then you certainly must remember your loved ones and friends when you’re in Heaven.
Here is kind of silly observation but if we are going to worship Jesus for what He’s done for us, then we must be able to remember what He has done. If we’re going to express our gratitude and praise to God for His amazing grace and love, then our memories must be intact.
Consider the Martyrs under the altar in the present Heaven in Revelation 6:10. “They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’†This sounds to me like those martyrs remember that they were killed and that God would avenge their murders.
Think about Jesus after His resurrection. He suddenly stood among His disciples and they freaked out thinking He was a ghost. “He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.†Then He asked the guys for something to eat! From there Jesus went on to talk with them and remind them of what He had told them before His death (Luke 24:36-49). Jesus’ memory was intact. He knew His friends. He knew His role on the earth. He knew that He’d return to the Father. There was continuity between the Jesus who talked with them before His death and after His resurrection. Not just in how He looked, but also His memories. Philippians 3:21 tells us that Jesus, “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.†And Jesus is our model for what we’ll be like when we’re resurrected (1 Cor. 15:20).
There will be a continuity between the you here today and the you that will be in either the present or Eternal Heaven. Granted, the heavenly you/me will be sinless, glorified, and perfected, but it will still be you/me. Because of that, I believe you will know your loved ones in Heaven.
Afraid Heaven Will Be Boring
Have you ever heard someone say: I’m afraid Heaven will be boring? Some of that misunderstanding is rooted in a misunderstanding of worship. The enemy has even used one of our favorite worship songs against us to support this lie.
I’d like for you to take the Amazing Grace test with me. Sing this song with me:
I’d like for you to take the Amazing Grace test with me. Sing this song with me:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found.
Was blind but now I see.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun…
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise,
Than when we’d first begun.
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found.
Was blind but now I see.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun…
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise,
Than when we’d first begun.
Have you ever sung that verse and thought, Ten thousand years of singing…ugh! That doesn’t sound like fun to me! See what I mean? The enemy has taken a beautiful song and used it against us! But that’s not what the song is saying, is it? I realize the song is not scripture, but it’s a great example of how the enemy seeks to continue doing what he’s always done: discourage, distract, & destroy. This verse says that even after we’ve been in Heaven for ten thousand years and experienced even more of God’s amazing character, creation and love, that we’ll still have plenty of opportunities and reasons to sing His praises.
What we really need is a proper understanding of worship. Worship can be understood in at least a couple of ways. The first is a broad understanding. Worship in its most general sense is everything you do is done to the glory of God. Your work. Your schooling. Your friendships. Your marriage. Your hobbies. Your sports competitions. Your prayer. Your laughter. Your meals. Your intimacy with your spouse. Your loving correction of your children. Your singing. Your meal times. Everything is to be done to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God†(see also Col 3:17; 1 Pe 4:11; Romans 12:1).
Worship can also be understood more narrowly “as an act of the assembled people of God, as seen in the worship prescribed by God in the tabernacle (Exod. 25–40; Lev. 1–7) and temple (1 Chron 22–29; 2 Chron 3–7; 29–31), as well as in the worship of the New Testament church (Acts 13:2; 1 Cor 11–14)†(Brand, C., Draper, C., England, A., Bond, S., Clendenen, E. R., Butler, T. C., & Latta, B. (2003). Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (1687). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers). This is where most of our minds go when we think about worship: songs, hymns, spiritual songs, scripture readings, preaching, praying, sacrificing and giving. But here’s what’s important to remember: There won’t be a temple in which to worship in the New Heaven, so you won’t need to worry about ‘going to church’ “because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple†(Rev 21:22). We, the followers of Jesus, from every tribe, tongue and nation, are the Church—His bride—and we will be constantly in His presence. Whatever He calls us to do will be our act of worship. Whether it’s walking with Him, talking to Him, enjoying the splendor of the New Earth, talking with friends old and new, working, or ruling with Him (Luke 22:30; Rev 5:9-10); it will all be worship! Every part of us will seek to adore Jesus—but not necessarily at set times. Instead, we will worship out of the overflow of gratitude, awe, joy, and love for our Savior and that will happen as we enjoy Jesus and the fullness of life that will be ours in His Kingdom (more about that in the part 3 of this Heaven blog series!).
What we really need is a proper understanding of worship. Worship can be understood in at least a couple of ways. The first is a broad understanding. Worship in its most general sense is everything you do is done to the glory of God. Your work. Your schooling. Your friendships. Your marriage. Your hobbies. Your sports competitions. Your prayer. Your laughter. Your meals. Your intimacy with your spouse. Your loving correction of your children. Your singing. Your meal times. Everything is to be done to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God†(see also Col 3:17; 1 Pe 4:11; Romans 12:1).
Worship can also be understood more narrowly “as an act of the assembled people of God, as seen in the worship prescribed by God in the tabernacle (Exod. 25–40; Lev. 1–7) and temple (1 Chron 22–29; 2 Chron 3–7; 29–31), as well as in the worship of the New Testament church (Acts 13:2; 1 Cor 11–14)†(Brand, C., Draper, C., England, A., Bond, S., Clendenen, E. R., Butler, T. C., & Latta, B. (2003). Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (1687). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers). This is where most of our minds go when we think about worship: songs, hymns, spiritual songs, scripture readings, preaching, praying, sacrificing and giving. But here’s what’s important to remember: There won’t be a temple in which to worship in the New Heaven, so you won’t need to worry about ‘going to church’ “because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple†(Rev 21:22). We, the followers of Jesus, from every tribe, tongue and nation, are the Church—His bride—and we will be constantly in His presence. Whatever He calls us to do will be our act of worship. Whether it’s walking with Him, talking to Him, enjoying the splendor of the New Earth, talking with friends old and new, working, or ruling with Him (Luke 22:30; Rev 5:9-10); it will all be worship! Every part of us will seek to adore Jesus—but not necessarily at set times. Instead, we will worship out of the overflow of gratitude, awe, joy, and love for our Savior and that will happen as we enjoy Jesus and the fullness of life that will be ours in His Kingdom (more about that in the part 3 of this Heaven blog series!).
Afraid God is Boring and Not Fun
Closely tied to the idea that Heaven will be boring is the the lie: God is boring & God is not fun. Think about it with me, everything that now brings you joy (that isn’t sinful) is a gift from God—the source of all joy. A good meal. A good laugh. Singing. Creating. Reading a good book. Hard work. A hike with friends. Watching your children or grandchildren play. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows†(James 1:17).
We enjoy God’s gifts because God is the source of joy behind them. We are constantly tempted to believe that God is not involved with the gift at all—but that’s not true. Listen to how author, pastor, and seminary professor, Randy Alcorn says it, “All secondary joys are derivative in nature. They cannot be separated from God. Flowers are beautiful for one reason—God is beautiful. Rainbows are stunning because God is stunning. Puppies are delightful because God is delightful. Sports are fun because God is fun. Study is rewarding because God is rewarding. Work is fulfilling because God is fulfilling†(Alcorn, Randy Heaven. Tyndale House, Illinois, 2004. p 177). God is not boring!
We have fun on the earth, right now—on God’s amazing creation—enjoying what He fashioned to reflect His glory…and we’re afraid that God’s plan for our eternity with Him in the Eternal Heaven will be boring? If so, then we’ve got a funky picture of the God who created laughter, and armadillos, and tadpoles, and spiral galaxies. Here’s what I truly believe: whatever you enjoy right now, that isn’t sinful or tied to the curse of sin, I believe you’ll enjoy in the Eternal Heaven with God and your enjoyment of that gift from Him will bring Him great joy!
We enjoy God’s gifts because God is the source of joy behind them. We are constantly tempted to believe that God is not involved with the gift at all—but that’s not true. Listen to how author, pastor, and seminary professor, Randy Alcorn says it, “All secondary joys are derivative in nature. They cannot be separated from God. Flowers are beautiful for one reason—God is beautiful. Rainbows are stunning because God is stunning. Puppies are delightful because God is delightful. Sports are fun because God is fun. Study is rewarding because God is rewarding. Work is fulfilling because God is fulfilling†(Alcorn, Randy Heaven. Tyndale House, Illinois, 2004. p 177). God is not boring!
We have fun on the earth, right now—on God’s amazing creation—enjoying what He fashioned to reflect His glory…and we’re afraid that God’s plan for our eternity with Him in the Eternal Heaven will be boring? If so, then we’ve got a funky picture of the God who created laughter, and armadillos, and tadpoles, and spiral galaxies. Here’s what I truly believe: whatever you enjoy right now, that isn’t sinful or tied to the curse of sin, I believe you’ll enjoy in the Eternal Heaven with God and your enjoyment of that gift from Him will bring Him great joy!
Afraid We Won't Have Anything To Do
Also tied to the idea that Heaven will be boring is the misunderstanding: We won’t have anything to do in Heaven. On the contrary! We will work, rule, learn and do a bunch of other stuff that we’ve never imagined. We know that saints will rule with Christ because of what Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 19, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life†(Matthew 19:28-29). When we look at Revelation 3:21, 4:4, 20:4, we see more of the same: the Saints of God ruling or judging. Will everyone rule? I don’t know. But some will.
It’s safe to expect that there will be other kinds of work to do in the Eternal Heaven and that’s because we know what people were doing before sin was ever an issue—when God first created the earth. Genesis 2 tells us, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it†(Gen 2:15). God gave work to Adam as a gift. It was part of the commission to rule over the earth and subdue it (Gen 1:26-28). Work didn’t become a bummer until after the fall. I think it is fair to assume that if God intended us to work in the Garden of Eden, that He’ll have plenty for us to enjoy doing in our resurrected, perfected, glorified bodies after all things have been restored (Acts 3:21). Imagine what it will be like to work with a perfect body—no messed up wrists, arms or legs, muscles that work like they should. Unhindered creativity. Work won’t be a curse—but a blessing.
Think about the unique gifts, talents, and skills you currently possess. They have been given to you as gifts that are intended to reflect the glory of God (which is why we must be so careful to remember that our gifts, talents, skills, intellect, creativity, humor, compassion, and love are from God for His glory, not from us for our glory). If God has given those tremendous gifts to you to use and enjoy while on the earth, even though it’s under the curse of sin, why would He take it all away when you are in the New Heaven and you finally have an opportunity to glorify Him perfectly through the use of those gifts, skills and talents?
In Heaven, we’ll finally be able to use our gifts fully (and I’m sure we’ll enjoy some new ones when we get there). Won’t it be great be to use your talent or skill with none of the “dig me†that so often lurks in the back of your heart & mind?
It’s safe to expect that there will be other kinds of work to do in the Eternal Heaven and that’s because we know what people were doing before sin was ever an issue—when God first created the earth. Genesis 2 tells us, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it†(Gen 2:15). God gave work to Adam as a gift. It was part of the commission to rule over the earth and subdue it (Gen 1:26-28). Work didn’t become a bummer until after the fall. I think it is fair to assume that if God intended us to work in the Garden of Eden, that He’ll have plenty for us to enjoy doing in our resurrected, perfected, glorified bodies after all things have been restored (Acts 3:21). Imagine what it will be like to work with a perfect body—no messed up wrists, arms or legs, muscles that work like they should. Unhindered creativity. Work won’t be a curse—but a blessing.
Think about the unique gifts, talents, and skills you currently possess. They have been given to you as gifts that are intended to reflect the glory of God (which is why we must be so careful to remember that our gifts, talents, skills, intellect, creativity, humor, compassion, and love are from God for His glory, not from us for our glory). If God has given those tremendous gifts to you to use and enjoy while on the earth, even though it’s under the curse of sin, why would He take it all away when you are in the New Heaven and you finally have an opportunity to glorify Him perfectly through the use of those gifts, skills and talents?
In Heaven, we’ll finally be able to use our gifts fully (and I’m sure we’ll enjoy some new ones when we get there). Won’t it be great be to use your talent or skill with none of the “dig me†that so often lurks in the back of your heart & mind?
Afraid Heaven is Just Wishful Thinking
The last fear that I’d like to address today sounds like this: I’m afraid that Heaven is just wishful thinking. Karl Marx believed “religion is the opiate of the masses…†He believed that religion makes us feel better while we struggle through life. There are many today who would agree with Marx. But Christianity and the promises that Jesus has given aren’t an opiate or sedative to help us to go on living despite our pain and help us dream about an imaginary future. I want to read to you an amazing quote from author Anthony Destefano that addresses this fear directly:
“I don't think there's a more ridiculous argument under the sun than the one that says heaven is just a product of human imagination, based on our desire. To say that religion - particularly Christianity - is wishful thinking flies in the face of all common sense and logic. Is it wishful thinking to believe in hell, the devil, and demons? Is it wishful thinking to believe we're going to be judged and held accountable for every sin we've ever committed? Is it wishful thinking to believe the best way to live our life is to sacrifice our own desires for the sake of others? Is it wishful thinking to believe that we should discipline our natural bodily urges for the sake of some unseen "kingdom"? And while we're at it, is it wishful thinking to believe God wants us to love our enemies? For goodness sake, what kind of demand is that? My point is that if human beings were going to invent a religion based on their own wishful thinking, they could do a lot "better" than Christianity. Why in the world would we make things so hard on ourselves? Why not wish for a religion that had a heaven, but at the same time allowed promiscuous sex, encouraged gluttony, did away with all the commandments, and forbade anyone to ever mention the idea of judgment and punishment? Wouldn't that make a lot more sense? And yet, there is this notion that heaven is all "fluff" and that we believe in it merely because we're afraid of death and want to see our dead relatives again. Amazing!†(Anthony DeStefano, A Travel Guide to Heaven, p169-170)
Friend, you don’t have to worry about Heaven only being wishful thinking. God has built you for Himself. He made a way to rescue you from your sin. Jesus died to defeat sin and rose again to defeat death. He promised to take all who trusted Him to be where He is. Heaven isn’t a hopeful dream. It’s a promise from the God of the universe to you. Not so you can keep plodding along in life, but so that you will know who you are and Whose you are. So you will know what love, life, peace purpose and joy really are! Heaven is not wishful thinking…it’s a promise. And God keeps His promises.
“I don't think there's a more ridiculous argument under the sun than the one that says heaven is just a product of human imagination, based on our desire. To say that religion - particularly Christianity - is wishful thinking flies in the face of all common sense and logic. Is it wishful thinking to believe in hell, the devil, and demons? Is it wishful thinking to believe we're going to be judged and held accountable for every sin we've ever committed? Is it wishful thinking to believe the best way to live our life is to sacrifice our own desires for the sake of others? Is it wishful thinking to believe that we should discipline our natural bodily urges for the sake of some unseen "kingdom"? And while we're at it, is it wishful thinking to believe God wants us to love our enemies? For goodness sake, what kind of demand is that? My point is that if human beings were going to invent a religion based on their own wishful thinking, they could do a lot "better" than Christianity. Why in the world would we make things so hard on ourselves? Why not wish for a religion that had a heaven, but at the same time allowed promiscuous sex, encouraged gluttony, did away with all the commandments, and forbade anyone to ever mention the idea of judgment and punishment? Wouldn't that make a lot more sense? And yet, there is this notion that heaven is all "fluff" and that we believe in it merely because we're afraid of death and want to see our dead relatives again. Amazing!†(Anthony DeStefano, A Travel Guide to Heaven, p169-170)
Friend, you don’t have to worry about Heaven only being wishful thinking. God has built you for Himself. He made a way to rescue you from your sin. Jesus died to defeat sin and rose again to defeat death. He promised to take all who trusted Him to be where He is. Heaven isn’t a hopeful dream. It’s a promise from the God of the universe to you. Not so you can keep plodding along in life, but so that you will know who you are and Whose you are. So you will know what love, life, peace purpose and joy really are! Heaven is not wishful thinking…it’s a promise. And God keeps His promises.
So, Do You Trust Him?
If you have been waiting to trust Jesus as your Savior, don’t wait any more. Take a moment right where you are and tell the Lord, “I surrender all that I am to you. Thank you for making it possible for me to know what real life, love and forgiveness look like. Show me how to live, both now and forever, and I will follow your lead.â€
Closing
You don’t need to worry about death, friends, because Jesus has conquered it and He’s waiting for you the moment you step into eternity because He wants you to be where He is. You can rest assured, I believe, that you will know and remember your friends and loved ones in Heaven. And hopefully, if you were ever worried about being bored in Heaven, you aren’t worried any longer.
God is glorious, creative, loving, kind, and generous. The life you now enjoy is but a shadow of the life you will enjoy when all is made right; when there’s a New Heaven and New Earth and there is no more sorrow, pain or tears. That’s where you’ll live, love and serve with no inhibitions or sinful influences. Until then, live fully today. Take every moment to see the wonderful gifts of God all around you and let that create in you a thirst, a hunger, a longing for more and more of Him.
God is glorious, creative, loving, kind, and generous. The life you now enjoy is but a shadow of the life you will enjoy when all is made right; when there’s a New Heaven and New Earth and there is no more sorrow, pain or tears. That’s where you’ll live, love and serve with no inhibitions or sinful influences. Until then, live fully today. Take every moment to see the wonderful gifts of God all around you and let that create in you a thirst, a hunger, a longing for more and more of Him.
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