Today in Sunday School we had some concluding thoughts on Revelation. This is a new class for us. Our second time there and they were wrapping up a study on Revelation. So, they went over a concluding quiz asking questions regarding heaven, like "Will we be married? Will we have memories of our present life? Are animals in heaven? What will we be doing?" In addition, there was also a concern raised that maybe we don't emphasize a longing for heaven in our daily lives.
Throughout these discussions, I kept thinking about "perspective." It seems many conjure up a lot of different ideas about heaven often from a human ideal of "wishful thinking" with an eye on inclusive of all we prefer in our current life. This is comfortable and pleasing to ourselves. The perspective is often one of securing possessions and current interpersonal relationships.
Currently, I've been thinking that the way I live my daily life can be much more content when I'm trusting in God for the unknown rather than working my hardest to ensure my own understanding of any given situation. On one hand, this seems to be my same outlook regarding heaven. While there are references in the Book regarding heaven, more often than not it seems I need to simply trust God that he has my best in mind.
So, do I long for heaven? I believe the correct question is, "Do I emphasize daily what I now have--both today and for all eternity?" Do I remember daily that grace has given me something that I don't deserve? Fellowship with God both today and in the future. A gift I don't understand and yet a gift that changes things for all eternity. So, do I remind myself of this gift in my daily life? Through reading His word, praying, and worship I can be reminded of this incredible relationship that is now mine. And in turn, this would yield a desire to not keep this to myself, but communicate it to others, to at least let them know.
And then, just like the attributes of heaven or the raising of children or my future positions at work, or in sharing my faith, I am deciding to trust God for the fulfillment of all those varied details. Trust in Him for the results. My perspective is not a natural one but a spirit-filled one.
Megan Wedding 2017
1 comment:
It is fascinating to hear individuals' views of what heaven will be like. It seems that the bottom-line of the NT is simply that Christ will be there, and that the new heavens and new earth will be a place where "righteousness dwells."
If we do not hanker for the presence of Christ and do not long for a place free from sin, we will want to be anyplace but the biblical place of Heaven.
One of my profs at DTS said it this way (the quote may be a bit off, b/c I'm trying to recall from memory):
"An unbeliever does not want to go to Heaven, for Christ is there, and he hates Christ."
(Remember Jerry, the fella we worked with on the golf course--said he wanted to go to Hell, because that's where the beer and parties would be.--unfortunately, I fear that such a perspective is what some think Heaven will be--a place full of debauchery and absent of righteousness).
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