Biblical Success - Crossing the Finish Line. Our Race Won, What’s Heaven Like?Sample
We can’t really even scratch the surface of the reality of the glories of heaven but let’s try to expand our sanctified imaginations and ask The Holy Spirit to lead our thoughts. Using just a few plain statements from scripture and, drawing on our life experiences, let Him help us think freely about life in our eternal home. Various verses in Chapters 21 and 22 of Revelation tell us that there will be no death, sorrow. crying, tears, pain, or curse in heaven. There’s much more of course but let’s use just these few to frame up the concept by asking ourselves; “What are the causes of those things on earth and what are our emotional responses to them on earth?
First what causes death? Just name a few causes in your mind..... What are our normal emotional responses to these things?
Next what causes sorrow? Again, just slow down and mentally list a few. How do we respond emotionally to them??
Pain? You’ve got it now, a few more, what things cause us pain? Physical, emotional, relational, even spiritual pain?
Crying and Tears? What makes us cry and weep? There are tears of joy of course but these are tears of sorrow or loss. What causes such a response?
Next, just let your mind drift across each of these things that won’t exist in heaven but are very real in our lives on earth. What is our emotional response to these things now? How do these things impact our experience of life on earth? And how much of our strength, resources, and energy do we invest trying to avoid, minimize, or eliminate these things from our lives on Earth? How many wasted hours do we spend worrying about them? A bunch right?
Imagine a life where these negative and hurtful things and emotions not only do not exist but are not even possible and will never be experienced again! Why do I say impossible? Because the curse will be gone forever and there will never be a sin in heaven! What thoughts does that statement stir in you?
Scripture
About this Plan
Continuing our examination of life as a Christ-follower using the metaphor of running a race on earth with running the “race of life” of Hebrews 12:1 we will discuss crossing the finish line and entering Heaven. Using Revelation 22,23 and various other resources from scripture we will discuss some of the conditions we will find in Heaven and how they compare with life on earth.
More