Heaven is one of those topics about which God has not told us everything we want to know. Quite likely, because we could not begin to comprehend a place where life will never end and where there will be no evil or sin or death or pain or hurt. He has, however, given us a few glimpses of eternal life. We’ve talked about a couple these past months.

The transfiguration event (found in Mark chapter 9) was one of those glimpses. From it we see that we will know people - even those we didn’t know on earth - just like the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah whom they’d never seen. Also, in heaven we will see Jesus, literally shining in all his glory as the true God that he is.

The "Resurrection Chapter" 1 Corinthians 15 gave us another glimpse last month. It showed us that we will have bodies like the one Jesus had after he rose from the grave. A body that will have physical characteristics and be recognizable but that will not be subject to physical constraints (just like Jesus was able to "go through walls" in order to appear to his disciples behind locked doors).

The Bible begins with the Creation of the universe. It ends in Revelation chapters 21 and 22 with God re-Creating a new heaven and a new earth which will be our home for eternity. We can expect some of the things that God included in the original creation to also be part of the eternal creation. Things like work (work was a part of Adam and Eve’s life before they sinned. It just became "hard" after sin) Things like animals. Things like being in the physical, visible presence of God. Paradise without the threat of sin and evil.

Will we play baseball or go fishing or do some of the other things we enjoy on this earth? I don’t know. Just like things I enjoyed doing at age two are no longer on my list of things I enjoy doing at age 42, the things we enjoy doing on earth may be replaced by totally different things that bring us joy in eternity. There are many details God hasn’t chosen to reveal, but I think Jesus said it best in three short verses in Matthew chapter 13:

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

That tells us all we really need to know about what heaven is like: Heaven is SO great that it is worth giving up EVERYTHING you think is "great" about this earth just to be able to live there. And maybe the best part is that Jesus has already paid for our entrance to heaven by his death. Everyone who trusts in him can look forward with absolute certainty to making it your permanent home.

Thanks for asking,
Pastor David

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