When You Dieಮಾದರಿ

MYTH #2- You will become an angel in the clouds.

Have you ever heard (or said) that when someone dies, “heaven gained another angel!”? It is a lovely sentiment- imagining your loved one looking down from heaven, floating on a cloud, with puffy wings. But the Bible is clear that there is a distinction between people and angels both now and in the future. People will remain people in heaven. And angels will remain angels. And the Bible doesn’t say that heaven will be in the clouds. Rather, it tells us that there will be a “new heaven and a new earth.”Remember what we learned yesterday? It’s going to be a wonderful place!

And one more thing about the angel stuff: we probably get the idea of playing harps on a cloud with cherubs from Renaissance art. But the reality is that worshiping God for eternity will be far more than just singing. When God created Adam and Eve they worshiped God in the Garden. But what did that look like? They weren’t raising their hands all day singing songs; no, they worshipped by tending to their place. Taking care of the garden. Naming the animals. Having dominion and authority over the earth. We will worship God in heaven by working productively and of course we will sing because we are a singing people, but we will do so many other things. Heaven is going to be a place of productivity and accomplishment. Revelation 22:3, 5 says that in the New Earth, “His servants will worship Him…they will reign with Him.” In heaven we will work, but it will be work that is restful, work without the curse. Totally fulfilling and purposeful. That sounds far better than a cloud and harp!

Ask Yourself:

-How is the reality of heaven better than the myth of becoming an angel?

-Why do we hold onto myths like this?

Pause to Pray:

“Come, Lord Jesus!” (marana tha in Aramaic). Use that cry to lead you into prayer today.