Like most Christians I have often
considered the benefits of heaven, and the myriad of wonderful things of which
it will be composed. And while I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sermon on the
subject, scripture speaks to a few things which will not be present in that marvelous place.
The Unrighteous
God sent His Son Jesus Christ to the
earth in order to bear witness to the existence of His Heavenly Father, and to
die for the sins of the unrighteous.
“For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“Do you not
know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?”
(1st Corinthians 6:9)
There are any number of scriptures
which assure us that only believers will be permitted within the confines of
heaven.
Sin
Scripture
speaks of God’s awareness of wrong doing, and contains countless admonitions
against such behavior.
“For the
wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)
“Thou
art
of purer eyes than to behold evil,
And canst not look on iniquity.”
(Habakkuk 1:13)
“I will make
with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to
them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts; that they may
not turn from me.” (Jeremiah 32:40)
We are
assured that no sin or iniquity will be tolerated in heaven, and that those who
enter in are of one mind and one spirit in their love for the King of kings and
Lord of lords.
Tears
God knows we
endure many circumstances in this life which bring us to tears, and that we
have more than enough about which to grieve.
“He will
wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 21:4)
The promise
of a heavenly home, devoid of anything which brings tears to our eyes, is a
joyful promise, indeed.
Hunger & Thirst
Is there
anything more sad and compelling than a photograph of a malnourished child? It
is a heart-rending sight.
“Never
again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.” (Rev. 7:16)
never again will they thirst.” (Rev. 7:16)
Thank God
for a place where hunger and thirst will be vanquished forevermore.
Heat
Every one of
us have been exposed to heat, and realize its potential consequences.
“The sun
will not beat down on them,
nor any scorching heat.” (Rev. 7:16)
nor any scorching heat.” (Rev. 7:16)
The
thermostat of heaven will be set at the perfect temperature.
Hurtful Memories
Unless we
have sustained an unexpected blow on the head, and developed amnesia, we are
all subject to hurtful memories.
“For behold,
I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things will not
be remembered or come to mind.” (Isaiah 65:17)
Thankfully,
at the time of our passing we will joyfully surrender any remembrance of the
things which once brought us pain.
Disease
We have all
known someone who contracted cancer or some other life-threatening disease, and
in some cases have succumbed to it.
“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
It is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.” (1st Cor. 15:42-43)
Neither colds nor cancer will be permitted in our eternal home.
Pain
Life is full
of emotional and physical pain.
“There
will be no mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed
away.” (Rev. 21:4)
“For I
reckon the suffering of this present time isn’t worthy to be compared to
the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
Those
catalysts which promote emotional and physiological pain will be absent in
heaven.
Health Insurance
Even as I
write these words our congress is considering the crucial issue of health
insurance.
"For
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2nd Cor. 4:17)
Since there
will be neither sickness nor pain in heaven, health insurance applications,
physicians, and emergency rooms will not be found there.
Death
Each of us
have been exposed to the acute pain which accompanies the death of a friend or
loved one.
“There will
be no more death.” (Rev. 21:4)
Jesus gave
His life to redeem His fallen creation, and will reward us with eternal life;
which He purchased with His own blood.
Funerals
With the
passing of years we are plagued by a growing accumulation of funeral services.
“It is
appointed unto man once to die…” (Hebrews 9:27)
Death will
wrap itself in the garments of Life, and Despair will be cloaked in Victory.
(and “one more for the road.”)
Mosquitoes
We have all
wondered why mosquitoes were invented in the first place.
“If we walk
in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the
blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.” (1st
John 1:7)
"Dear
friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made
known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him…” (1st
John 3:2)
Note: Since Jesus shed, as we believe, every ounce of His
blood on the cross, we can assume that His gloried body is flesh and bone.
Since we will be like Him we can assume our glorified body will also be
comprised of flesh and bone. As glorified human beings mosquitoes would, therefore,
find nothing desirable about us.
And thus, we can be sure that the
foregoing things shall never be found in heaven.
by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 50. Copyright pending
If you wish to copy, share or 'save' please include the credit line, above
by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 50. Copyright pending
If you wish to copy, share or 'save' please include the credit line, above
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