Imagining Heaven - Making the right decisions

Many of the ideas and Scriptures used in this article are from the book “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn.

Revelation 19:7-8 states “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people). Our righteous deeds on this earth will follow us to heaven. The positions of authority that we are given in heaven and the treasures that we have stored up for ourselves in heaven will remind us of our life on this earth. What we do during this short time on earth under the unction of the Holy Spirit will earn us rewards.

In Matthew chapter six we are commanded to store up for ourselves treasure in heaven. Then we are instructed that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. If we live with the goal of preparing for eternity with Jesus we will have treasure to enjoy for eternity. If we choose to live only with this life on earth in mind we will forfeit many rewards in heaven.

When we give to the poor we have treasure in heaven. When we are trustworthy in a very small matter we may be appointed to rule cities. When we are victorious and do God’s will to the end we are given authority over the nations. I don’t know what that looks like for each of us but these are some great promises in the Bible.

Timothy was instructed by Paul in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 to “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Those verses are packed with valuable instruction for us on our journey towards heaven. We need to do good and be generous. Some people think only of not sinning and getting their own needs met. God is interested in us representing Him on this earth and in our willingness to be generous. He told us that it is better to give than to receive yet some of us have not mastered that concept yet.

When Paul is telling us not to be arrogant he may have in mind that Adam was formed from the dust of the earth. You and I are connected to the earth in that our ashes will return to the earth after we have passed away. What makes us unique is that God has breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life and we became living souls.

We currently reside in places that are wearing out, falling apart, and need maintenance and attention. Eventually we will reside in heaven, which is described both as a city and as a country in Hebrews chapter eleven. Imagine being in heaven with atmosphere, mountains, water, trees, people, houses, cities, buildings, and streets while inhabiting our resurrection bodies. There we will serve God who is the architect and builder of heaven. The first heaven and the first earth will pass away and we will enjoy a new heaven and a new earth. Acts 3:21 encourages us that “the time is coming when God will restore everything as He promised long ago through His holy prophets.

Our present earth can be used as a reference point for envisioning the New Earth just as our present bodies are a reference point for envisioning our future new resurrected bodies. When sin is no longer around we will be able to better steward the earth. The Westminster Shorter Catechism states, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” While we remain on this current earth we can listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, read and obey the Scriptures, and love God and others as we await the return of Jesus or our impending deaths.

As we become more heavenly minded we will begin to make decisions with eternity in mind. May we be those who delight to do God’s will.

May God bless you big.

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This is the fourth in a series of articles examining the Christian view of heaven by Kevin Barsotti, pastor of Ark Church in Havre.