Imagining Heaven: The best is yet to come

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

Many of us are dissatisfied with the decisions some government officials make. Eventually God will establish His perfect government in Heaven. There will not be sin on the New Earth. Satan and demonic forces will not be on the New Earth. The devil will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur and tormented day and night for ever and ever. Currently, Jesus calls Satan “the prince of this world” and Paul calls Satan “the god of this age.” Those designations are temporary.

Daniel tells us that the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever. Godly people will govern earthly kingdoms currently ruled by ungodly humans. Isaiah 9:7 says, “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” Adam and Eve rebelled against God and forfeited dominion of the earth. Our Father is pleased to give us the kingdom. The service that we will be entrusted with is our reward.

The New Earth and the New Jerusalem will include physically resurrected people living in a physical environment. The city will be 1,400 miles long, wide, and high. The twelve gates will be open and guarded by angels. There will be beauty and wonder. Revelation 21:11 says, “The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.” Verse 21 explains, “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.”

On the New Earth there will be the river of the water of life. This water is clear as crystal and flows form the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the New Jerusalem. Revelation 22:2 tells us, “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” As overcomers we will have the right to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Our needs will be met and we will be in the presence of King Jesus.

Heaven will include both space and time. We will serve God day and night in His temple. The Lamb will be the lamp and there will be no need for the light of a lamp or the light of the sun. Heaven will be so much better than we can ask or imagine.

Ezekiel 34:26-27 states, “I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. The trees of the field will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops.” Currently we struggle against weeds, insects, diseases, lack of rain, hail, cold weather, hot weather and a limited growing season. There is a time coming when agricultural operations are going to be blessed abundantly.

We will have a bodily resurrection, our memory, personality, gifts, passions, and interests but we will not become angels. We will govern angels. We will have emotions but we will not mourn, cry, or be in pain.

Our desires will please God. We will enjoy food but we will not be gluttons or experience eating disorders. We will retain our identities and be judged and rewarded on what we do in this life.

We will take our place at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. In heaven, we will be ourselves without sin.

If all of this seems too good to be true, spend some time searching the Scriptures and reading the promises of God. The best is still yet to come. Until Jesus returns or until we die let’s work on finishing well.

May God bless you big.

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