Just before Christ went to the cross for all of us,
He gathered His disciples in the upper room and talked about home.
He said, "In my Father's house are many rooms"
(John 14:2).
When Jesus spoke of Heaven as "My Father's house," He was referring to it as home. The Father's house is always His children's home. Paul spoke of believers who have departed this life as being "at home with the Lord"
(2 Corinthians 5:8).
Heaven is a permanent home. Houses here on earth do not last. It was as if Jesus has said, "We have no lasting home here on earth, but my Father's house is a home where we will be together for all eternity." Earthly homes can break up, but we have the promise of a home where Christ's followers will remain forever.
Paul said at one time, "So we will be with the Lord forever."
(1 Thess. 4:17)
Revelation 22:3, tells us that in Heaven there will be "no curse." This is a reference to God's judgement upon Adam in the Garden of Eden. John wrote," His servants will serve Him." Each one will be given the task that fits his powers, his taste, and his talents.
The Father's house will be a happy home. Not one of us who enters the Father's house will feel lonely or strange. We will know each other. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, did not the rich man after death recognize Lazarus and Abraham? And on the Mount of Transfiguration, did not Elijah and Moses know each other?
Christ will be the center of Heaven. To Him all hearts will turn and upon Him all eyes will rest. It won't be the jasper walls, or the pearly gates that will make Heaven so wonderful, it will be Christ. We shall behold The King in His beauty and see Him face to face. Revelation 22, states we "will see His face." Although there will be millions of Christians in Heaven, we won't have to settle for a passing glimpse of the One we love. Jesus will know each of us personally, and we shall know Him in a deeper way than ever before.
"Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am known."
(1 Corinthians 13:12)
Heaven will be a place of immortality.
Praise God, there is coming a day when there will be no pain, disease, blindness, no lame, halt, withered, or separation.
There will be order and harmony, social injustices will be abolished, and moral corruption will be replaced by integrity.
For the first time in history, people will know what it is like to live, governed by God's principles. There will be peace, unity, and equality. We will be ushered into our new home - Heaven and all its glories. This will be the Garden of Eden retored.
Men will see God face to face and live with Him in an environment
free of fears, failures, and fatigue.
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."
(Revelations 21:1,2)
Until that glorious day - let us live for Christ. Let us trust Him. Let us turn to Him in our time of need. And let us joyfully walk hand in hand with our Lord Jesus Christ - regardless of our circumstances - until we personally and physically join Him throughout eternity!
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
(Romans 8:18)
