Can You Begin To Imagine What Heaven Is Like?

In the often-quoted poem in I Corinthians 13, after expounding on the virtues of love, Paul writes, ^“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became mature, I put childish ways behind me” (13:11).

When I was a child, I imagined heaven through the lenses of a child. I envisioned heaven as a place of no work and all play, of no vegetables and all candy, of no rules and all freedom, and of no enemies and all friends.

While there are a few ounces of truth in my childhood perspective, my vision of heaven continually changes as I mature. I believe that God has prepared an eternal neighborhood for his people, a heavenly community that absolutely boggles the human imagination.

I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.²I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone." The Enthroned continued, "Look! I'm making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate." Revelation 21:1-5 MSG

Last Sunday, Ross Lankford kicked off our November series with a powerful message from Revelation 5. This Sunday we will be “Imagining Heaven” as we explore Revelation 21. We also look forward to sharing a prayer of commissioning for our mission team preparing to depart for North Africa.

I am writing these words from Aliceville, Alabama where I am enjoying revival services at First Baptist Church. Charlie and Jill Wilson are gracious hosts and the congregation has been welcoming, encouraging, and faithful all throughout the week. As I observe firsthand the good work Charlie is doing serving as pastor in Aliceville, I am reminded that our First Baptist family is proud of all of the young men and women God has called to ministry and to the mission field.

I look forward to getting home to Pensacola and seeing you as we gather for worship and Bible study this Sunday morning.