Heaven

Introduction

If you were going through something that challenged you and this challenge lasted beyond a few days, weeks, or even months, wouldn’t you long for relief? I think of people who are going through extremely difficult physical recoveries. They may spend weeks and months learning how to do things for themselves again. Simple things like eating, dressing, and bathing are extreme challenges. But when mastered again, we are so thankful for the opportunity for life to be “normal” again.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for 1st century Christians who are being persecuted because of their faith. While the intensity of the persecution ebbed and flowed, this was not a passing persecution. It lasted longer than just a few days, weeks, or months. As one year gave way to the next, Christians became weary in trying to live for Jesus. Some eventually gave in to the pressures and stresses of Rome. Others gave their lives and the suffering ended. But some were left to deal with the challenges of being a Christian each and every day. And growing weary was a real and present reality. How does one continue to live for Jesus, when the power of government is against you? How does one live for Jesus, when social ostracism is common? How does one stayed focused on Jesus when one’s profession of faith results in hungry children?

What God does is allow John to see and record a vision which was designed to encourage Christians to remain faithful. Chapter 21 of Revelation has long been a text which has caused people to think about another day—a day when they would be with God and God would be with them. A day when the trials of this life would give way to the eternal joy of being with God. Our desire today is to be encouraged too to lift our eyes to see the vision anew and to know that God still has a plan for his people—to spend an eternity with him. Let’s be reminded of heaven as we sing this morning.

Chapter 21 is a vivid description of the New Jerusalem. While as with any other vision in Revelation there is discussion about the intent and meaning of each symbol, the overall purpose of the scene is not difficult to appreciate. God is allowing us to have a front row seat of this heavenly vision. The first eight verses give us an overview of heaven’s glory. And for just a few moments I want us to enjoy and appreciate the wonder of these eight verses.

Most of us have probably thought about heaven in some fashion. We have probably tried to picture heaven in our minds. As a child, I can remember times in which I wondered about heaven. I read and reread Revelation 21 trying to find clues that might allow me some insight into what heaven was like. I heard preachers talk about heaven. I sang songs about heaven even as we have sung songs today. But none of it really captured my imagination. I thought that as much as I like to sing, that heaven would be filled with singing. As many questions as I have they would all be answered. And then I thought that after every song was sung and every question was answered, then what.

I heard people talk about that we would serve in heaven. That we would spend an eternity praising God; that we would spend our time knowing each other. And then what? Eternity is a long time. And then I realized something. Words used by finite, fleshly, human beings are inadequate to capture heaven in its true greatness. If you were to describe that which is indescribable you would use language which related to your audience. John does the same thing, but the language is woefully inadequate. But one cannot miss the rewards in these eight verses.

First, God lives with us. The wording is the same as found in John 1:14 concerning Jesus living among his people. This is the idea that God himself will walk among us. He will be a part of our lives in a way that we have never known before.

Second, God will wipe away every tear. This is a tender image. It is an image of our tears, tears of suffering and sacrifice, being tenderly wiped away. Like a parent who touches the cheek of a child who is crying from a wounded knee, God will reach out his hand, caress our face, wiping every tear from our cheeks.

Third, God will remove the sources of sorrow—death, mourning, crying, pain. Those things which cause such sorrow in this life will be taken away and will no longer have any effect on us. No longer will we stand by the open grave as loved ones are buried. No longer will we sit beside the bed of a loved one who is wracked with the pain of cancer. No longer will we weep over lost opportunities. No longer will we have to deal with the pains of this life. No longer will our hearts be broken by severed relationships. No longer will we feel the sting of disappointment as we remember failed promises. No longer will we have to suffer consequences for trying to walk by faith.

Why is this possible? Because it is all based on the nature of God. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He gives freely to those who thirst for him. For those who persevere, we will be given this idyllic eternal home. But the warning is sounded in verse 8 for those who do not remain faithful. The cowardly are those who were too afraid to take a stand when persecution came. These are listed first along with the more heinous sins. For those who do not persevere, then the second death awaits them.

God has prepared a place for us to spend an eternity with him. This world is not our home. This world is not supposed to be about our comfort. We are not to work to make this a heaven on earth. Are you longing for heaven?

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