Mystery of Heaven: Part 2

Sometimes the noise of the world is too much. By this, I don't mean just physically deafening, but mentally and spiritually deafening as well. Radio, T.V., mp3 players, video games; there are so many devices for noisy, useless distraction. Clanging politicians bantering back and forth, Marital bickering and fighting, crime, war, and the list goes on. I think this will be another remarkable difference about heaven. The stillness of heaven; it is hard to imagine a perfect, eternal calm. I think at first thought it may seem that I am describing a place for old folks or recluses, but the calm I am trying to explain is not simply audible noise, but a quiet and calm of the soul and of the world.

If we could suddenly be transported into heaven in our current state, I wonder if we could even stand the holy, peaceful calm of a world completely void of sin; would we even understand what we were experiencing. Could we contain it? It is my opinion that we are not given specifics about certain experiences because we are too sinful to be honorable with such knowledge (MT 7:6 Do not give dogs what is sacred). The possible quiet of heaven may seem unpalatable to some; where is the excitement and adventure? Where is the danger and risk? What fun is a place without risk? If there will be risk and adventure after the resurrection, I have no idea what that would possibly be. I would be willing to bet we would not understand it here and now.

A place where there is no bloodshed and sorrow is conceivable, but still hard to imagine. A place where people do not lie, cheat, or destroy would be a wonderful place, but what would all of us news junkies have to look forward to. To a large degree, our world functions on negative action, i.e. war, politics, greed, and Hollywood, so if you remove all of these worldly machinations, what will be left? Can the modern man be satisfied with peacefulness? Heaven may be hell for many in our culture who thrive on vice and violence, or who at least enjoy its portrayal. If anyone loves there sin and rather not do without it, heaven will not be any comfort. Heaven is the antithetical reality of this world, and if we love the sinful things of this world, it is highly unlikely we will love heaven. TOTT

The Mystery of Heaven: Part 1

Have you ever wondered why the bible gives very little information about what heaven will be like? We are told we will live forever in the fullness of God's presence;we are told about peace, that there will be no suffering or crying, but we are never given any specifics. In John 3:12 Jesus syas, " I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" The context of this scripture is not information about heavely existance, but I think the principle is applicable to what I am about to say. If Christ gave us the specifics, we would either not believe it or completely misunderstand and pervert it. There may be things about heaven that in our current sinful state, we would find very un-appealing. There also may be experiences that we may think perverse or we might even pervert them with our sinful minds.

We are told to pray for our daily bread, and not to store up treasure here on earth. I am guessing that heaven will not be a place of great material hording, but a place where we are content with only what we need from day to day. If God was to specifically tell us this in his word, some might see heaven as a state of poverty and want rather than contentment. Think about all of our wasteful spending on things we want, that wind up in a garage sale or the salvation army. How much food winds up in the garbage disposal? How much of our time and energy is spent on things we do not need. If we could see heaven, I think we might be disappointed at it's modesty. We live in a materialistic culture where we have to have our cell phones, mp3 players, designer clothing, and the latest and greatest gadgets, but Heaven may be a place where a large percent of what we think we want will not be there or even wanted.

If we could try to imagine a world where nobody worried about tomorrow;nobody worried about food, clothing, or keeping up with the joneses, we would see heaven a bit more clearly. A place where possesions are not clung to, but freely shared and respectfully received. I am not describing communism or advocating the evil of possesions. Personal posessions are blessings from God, and I would imagine there will be gifts from God throughout eternity, but I do not think there will be the fear of loss that causes us to cling and hoard. I am as guilty as anyone else of the fear of loss which hinders generosity, and I am seeking God to help me overcome it. I want to be closer to heaven (God's presence), and be ready for the blissful simplicity of existing in his presence.

TOTT