Most people never stop to realize they don't actually look forward to heaven. It could be they just love being alive. But more than that, it can result from a description of heaven that's far from appealing. And usually it's far from accurate too! Many people, when asked to think about what heaven is like, get an image of angels floating in the clouds, immersed in harp music. Who could get excited over that kind of eternity? But heaven is actually very different. And the fascinating things uncovered in the next few paragraphs should provide a fresh viewpoint.
Why do people think clouds? Partly because over the centuries the great painters have used that imagery. But today this mental cue is reinforced everywhere, particularly in advertising. It's enough to make people think heaven would be all soft and boring. No one really longs to lounge away in mashed potato all day humming the hallelujah chorus! Sometimes the imagery is overly stark but no more attractive. Take the environment where Jim Carrey talks to Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty. It's all-white, all hard surfaces, lifeless and barren, nowhere to relax. It gets worse. Even comics can present a dismal scene. Inhabitants of heaven wear halos, are holier-than-thou, are unfriendly and look down their noses disapprovingly at anything noisy or fun. Heaven can wait - if it's anything like that.
But is there a better description of heaven? What if someone who lives there could tell it straight? Well, God provides a totally different perspective in the Bible. For starters, Jesus said "In my Father's house are many rooms ... I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2, NIV'84). His choice of familiar and physical words like 'house' and 'rooms' is intentional. Jesus didn't want to communicate a picture of some ghostly realm. No, he's awaiting his special guests in his father's mansion. He's prepared fine rooms and is ready to put on a warm welcome. With that kind of attention, heaven won't be lonely or isolated.
Will it be lonely and quiet? John was given a vision of heaven and says "there before me was a great multitude, that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne"(Revelation 7:9). So there will be lots of people! In fact that multitude is more reminiscent of a rock concert than a library. And with so many people, from every kind of background and culture, there will be endless stories to tell. It will be the opposite of isolated or boring.
What are the heavenly inhabitants like? John tells us "They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." (Revelation 7:9) And further on the "elders ... fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God" (Revelation 7:11). So here is a description of people, with faces, clothed and ready with palm branches - ready to welcome the king. John can see each individual, not just a swirling spirit world. And maybe white is not the last word in fashion. But white is an indicator of purity. So the Bible means they're clean. No more bad attitudes or baggage. Heaven's population will be kindly and good natured. We'll be among a whole bunch of new friends.
And what about living in clouds? According to John he saw city buildings and the great outdoors. He says an angel "carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City" and that "It had a great, high wall with twelve gates" with "three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west" (Revelation 21:10-13). Now the city itself might not resemble many around today. But its walls and gates define a substantial architecture. And being nestled among majestic mountains it's potentially quite spectacular. The angels seem to have a unique way of getting around! That aside, the scene is familiar and physical not mysterious and shadowy. Oh, and why the gates? Are there dangers outside or bad guys locked up within? No, it's heaven, it's safe. "On no day will its gates ever be shut" (Revelation 21:25).
So heaven is starting to sound much better. John also says "the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month" (Revelation 22:1,2). How wonderful. Though what else would be expected from a model 'green' city? Broad idyllic streets, crystal clear streams, crops of luscious fruit for the taking every month. Sounds like a peaceful neighborhood.
So heaven is not like some might imagine. It's very beautiful. In fact it's a lot like the best things here. No wonder the Bible refers to it as the 'new earth'. And given it boasts a warm welcome, individual accommodation, a load of friendly neighbors who've come in from all over the world, all in a picturesque and safe city, surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, we couldn't want for much more. Heaven's not soft or barren or anything like the movies. It's paradise.
Why do people think clouds? Partly because over the centuries the great painters have used that imagery. But today this mental cue is reinforced everywhere, particularly in advertising. It's enough to make people think heaven would be all soft and boring. No one really longs to lounge away in mashed potato all day humming the hallelujah chorus! Sometimes the imagery is overly stark but no more attractive. Take the environment where Jim Carrey talks to Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty. It's all-white, all hard surfaces, lifeless and barren, nowhere to relax. It gets worse. Even comics can present a dismal scene. Inhabitants of heaven wear halos, are holier-than-thou, are unfriendly and look down their noses disapprovingly at anything noisy or fun. Heaven can wait - if it's anything like that.
But is there a better description of heaven? What if someone who lives there could tell it straight? Well, God provides a totally different perspective in the Bible. For starters, Jesus said "In my Father's house are many rooms ... I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2, NIV'84). His choice of familiar and physical words like 'house' and 'rooms' is intentional. Jesus didn't want to communicate a picture of some ghostly realm. No, he's awaiting his special guests in his father's mansion. He's prepared fine rooms and is ready to put on a warm welcome. With that kind of attention, heaven won't be lonely or isolated.
Will it be lonely and quiet? John was given a vision of heaven and says "there before me was a great multitude, that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne"(Revelation 7:9). So there will be lots of people! In fact that multitude is more reminiscent of a rock concert than a library. And with so many people, from every kind of background and culture, there will be endless stories to tell. It will be the opposite of isolated or boring.
What are the heavenly inhabitants like? John tells us "They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." (Revelation 7:9) And further on the "elders ... fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God" (Revelation 7:11). So here is a description of people, with faces, clothed and ready with palm branches - ready to welcome the king. John can see each individual, not just a swirling spirit world. And maybe white is not the last word in fashion. But white is an indicator of purity. So the Bible means they're clean. No more bad attitudes or baggage. Heaven's population will be kindly and good natured. We'll be among a whole bunch of new friends.
And what about living in clouds? According to John he saw city buildings and the great outdoors. He says an angel "carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City" and that "It had a great, high wall with twelve gates" with "three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west" (Revelation 21:10-13). Now the city itself might not resemble many around today. But its walls and gates define a substantial architecture. And being nestled among majestic mountains it's potentially quite spectacular. The angels seem to have a unique way of getting around! That aside, the scene is familiar and physical not mysterious and shadowy. Oh, and why the gates? Are there dangers outside or bad guys locked up within? No, it's heaven, it's safe. "On no day will its gates ever be shut" (Revelation 21:25).
So heaven is starting to sound much better. John also says "the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month" (Revelation 22:1,2). How wonderful. Though what else would be expected from a model 'green' city? Broad idyllic streets, crystal clear streams, crops of luscious fruit for the taking every month. Sounds like a peaceful neighborhood.
So heaven is not like some might imagine. It's very beautiful. In fact it's a lot like the best things here. No wonder the Bible refers to it as the 'new earth'. And given it boasts a warm welcome, individual accommodation, a load of friendly neighbors who've come in from all over the world, all in a picturesque and safe city, surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, we couldn't want for much more. Heaven's not soft or barren or anything like the movies. It's paradise.
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Earth is so busy! Makes you wonder will we have time in heaven? Don't wait! Discover a more satisfying description of heaven!
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