What images come to mind when you consider a future in heaven? I was raised primarily in a Baptist Church, although I did have contact with Catholicism as a very young child through my paternal grandparents. I was treated to visions of fluffy clouds, white robes and angel wings, harps and St. Peter greeting me at the pearly gates. It seems strange to me today that, as inquisitive as children are, more don't question such teachings. When one really considers these things, it doesn't seem all that exciting to contemplate a future with nothing to do except "roll around heaven all day", as the saying goes. Eternity would be quite boring if there were nothing to look forward to, nothing to experience. Maybe these images explain why most people are not too eager to get there.
What a different picture the bible portrays! There are numerous scriptures that tell of a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. We are told it will be a world of peace and security, one devoid of pain and suffering, disease, poverty, tears and heartache. God will descend from heaven and dwell with mankind. He will teach us the ways that lead to joy and happiness and we will live by His laws. The earth will be cleansed and there will be abundant food and clean water. Land ownership will be provided for all and our children will play in safety. There will be annual celebrations and rejoicing throughout the land. Our Savior, Jesus Christ will be king over all the earth and He will rule with justice and equity. He will put an end to war by replacing every present government with His own everlasting Kingdom.
Let's take a look at some of these exciting times!
Isaiah 65:17-19 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Isaiah 2:2-4 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Isaiah 11:4-9 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 65:21-25 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Micah 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
Isaiah 66:22-23 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
There are so many more references in God's Word regarding the future he has planned for his people. It will be an exciting time. God wants to live with his children and share his glory with us. This has always been his purpose for mankind. From the very beginning he created us in his image, after his likeness. Every animal in the garden was created after it's kind. Man was created after the God kind, like his creator. It has always been his desire to live with us throughout eternity. Remember Jesus' model prayer, Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. This should be the prayer of Christians everywhere. May he hasten the day!
