Tag: Heaven

#44- Our Destiny

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

Neal preached a lesson recently in which he mentioned that three times in Revelation Christ says “I will show you”:

  • what’s happening in Heaven (4:1)
  • how He sees the dark forces of the world (17:1)
  • the church’s destiny (21:9)

Imagine how comforting those pictures would’ve been for the persecuted Christians. As bad as things were, nothing could stand against the victorious Christ. As marginalized as they felt, they could look forward to a celebration as the honored bride of Christ.

While things aren’t as horrible for us as they were for them, it’s still encouraging to be reminded of the true picture: God reigns and we belong to Him!

Neal shared six things (alliterated, of course) from Revelation 21:1-9 that the church still has to look forward to:

  • relationship
  • relief
  • renewal
  • refreshing
  • residence
  • refuge

See if you can find them in the text below!

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” 

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

Dual Citizenship

By Emily Pollard

Civic freedom is a privilege Americans have had for centuries. It is also something many people around the world have never experienced. Throughout history, both free and tyrannical governments have risen and fallen. As Americans, we bask in the glory of our freedom. We exercise our rights. We even take freedom for granted, while citizens of socialist and communist nations long for the freedom we have. When our freedom is threatened, we feel like it’s the end of the world. But the bottom line is, whether living in a free country or an oppressive one, Christians are citizens of a different nation altogether. We are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” of God’s (1 Pet. 2:9). Paul explains this also in his letter to the Philippian church…

“But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.”

Philippians 3:20-21

At every turn, we’re bombarded with news of corruption, injustice, and oppression around the world. Fear strikes our hearts at immorality that is accepted and even encouraged. We react with fear because we know our native country to be our homeland, and as the world moves further from Truth, we feel less and less at home. Certainly, Paul knows exactly how this feels as he wrote the book of Philippians in jail after being arrested for sharing Jesus.

            But the beauty of belonging to God’s kingdom is that we have a better home waiting. Through civil unrest or persecution, Christians on earth have an opportunity to live exemplary lives (1 Pet. 2:11-12, 15) and become more like Christ (1 Pet. 2:21-23) through trials. Even more so, in death, the faithful Christian has nothing to lose and everything to gain (1 Cor. 15:53-56). Whether we’re talking about cancel-culture or blatant persecution (both of which happen today), Paul’s message rings true. We must never let the instability of this world overshadow the glory of Heaven. No matter what happens, our homeland is Heaven, and our Ruler is God.

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(Photo credit:  Kellsey Erin Photography)

Hallelujah

By Emily Pollard

Oh Lord, dear Lord,
Blessed Creator of all
Compared to Your might,
All quandaries seem small.

The billowing waves,
Though they toss me about
Are to you one raindrop
In the midst of a drought.

In the height of shadow,
In lowliness of heart,
You bring hope, joy, and strength
Before the trials depart.

You are there before,
During, and after the pain.
In the highest and lowest times,
I never cease to praise your name.

Overcome with power,
love, and grace You bestow.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The only words my tongue now knows.

Oh Lord, dear Lord,
Now I see you face to face.
I bow down and thank you
For your mercy and your grace.

The sanctification process
Has led me to Your throne.
I am with You forever.
I am finally home.

For this, You and I labored
together many many years.
Now, here we are in eternity.
It was worth every tear.

Oh Lord, dear Lord
No number of praises
would ever be enough.
But eternity is long, and
I will spend it singing Hallelujah.

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Heaven is Better

By Emily Moore

The three-word phrase at the top of this article has become my personal catch phrase this year, and here is why. Our lives are made up of both good, prosperous, times and hard, not-so-prosperous times. If we made it through life without a single trial, our faith would never grow. But if our lives were filled only with trials, we would probably lose our minds. So, God, in His infinite grace and wisdom, provides for His children’s needs (Matthew 6:25-34), and He also allows us to experience growth-inspiring challenges (Hebrews 12:3-11). 

Now, with these thoughts on your mind, think back to the phrase “Heaven is better.” The truth is whether you find yourself in a peaceful life season or in the midst of the most difficult situation you’ve ever faced, you will find a needed dose of perspective in remembering that Heaven is better. Like Paul in Philippians 4:12, when he says, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound,” we can all better remember to glorify God in any season of life when we remember that, ultimately, our actions in this life should be motivated by the eternal life hereafter.

As humans, it seems that staying focused on our end goal can be equally difficult in both good and hard times. Are you currently in one those wonderful phases of life in which your family and finances are all in order? Remember that Heaven is better than any level of temporal happiness or security we experience on earth. Praise God for those blessings, but remember that He has an even greater blessing waiting after this life.

It could be that you are on the opposite end of that spectrum, facing the hardest physical, financial, or spiritual circumstances you ever have. If that’s the case, take heart in knowing that Heaven is better, and faithfulness to God will lead you to an eternal life filled with nothing but peace and glory in God’s presence. 

It’s true. Shouting “Heaven is better!” when you find yourself struggling with materialism or going through hardships won’t immediately eradicate the problems in your life or change your level of earthly prosperity. But keeping your mind on the glory of Heaven will completely change, for the better, your perspective of life on earth. In the best or worst seasons of life, may we all remember that Heaven is better!

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Revive Me, Week 10– “Long for Heaven”

Revive Me, Week 10– A Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord

Long for Heaven

“Are we all just going to stand around in white robes and sing every day forever and ever?”  This young person’s view of Heaven didn’t appeal to him very much.  It certainly didn’t seem like enough of a reward to make him anticipate it.

My reasons for appreciating the hope of Heaven have changed through the years.  As a child, I was scared of going to Hell so Heaven was the safer option.  As I enjoyed the bliss of marriage and motherhood, the idea that Heaven would be even better made me wonder how that could be true.  It must be really grand indeed!  Then as I began to lose grandparents and other loved ones, Heaven became the location of a precious reunion.  And now, now that I’ve lived long enough experience some things, I am strongly drawn to the promise of no fear or suffering.  I’m intrigued by the idea of going without…without darkness, discomfort, disappointment, or death (Rev. 7:15-17; 21:4).

God wants us to long for Heaven.  Our reasons may change through the years, but God in His goodness has given us something to anticipate.  This gift should motivate us.  Consider what awaits the faithful:

  • A home being prepared by the One who loved us enough to die for us (John 14:2-4)
  • New everything (Rev. 21:1)
  • God’s presence and His tender care (Rev. 21:3-5)
  • Nothing evil or false (Rev. 21:27)
  • Eternal life (Matt. 25:46)
  • A city designed and built by God (Heb. 11:10)
  • A changed body (1 Cor. 15:51,52)
  • An unending and perfect inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4)
  • Paradise (Rev. 2:7)

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

Heb. 10:35,36

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven…

Matt. 5:12

Suggestions for the week:

  1.  Start each day singing about Heaven:  “Paradise Valley,” “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be,” “Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All,” “Just Over in the Glory Land,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Sweet By & By,” “Beulah Land,” “When We All Get to Heaven,” and plenty more.
  2.  End each day with a devotional about Heaven.  Read Scriptures about it, highlight them in yellow, pray about it, and get your children excited about it.  Your week will certainly be great when you begin and end each day with Heavenly thoughts!
  3.  Be intentionally Heaven-minded in your speech, your attitude, and your actions (Col. 3:1,2).
  4. Learn to make Heaven a natural part of your conversation with others.  When you see something lovely in nature–“As beautiful as that is, just imagine how grand Heaven must be!”  When something sad, unfair, or difficult happens–“That’s why we long for Heaven.”  To your wayward loved ones–“I want you to be in Heaven with me.”  And to your husband, your children, your church family– “I can’t wait to spend eternity with you in Heaven!”

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