A recent social media article referred to the inevitability of death, but for the Christian, the prospect of heaven. I recall growing up in a church that had a weekly communion service lasting over an hour, with lovely contributions that encouraged the singing of a phrase from a hymn. “If such a glimpse of love is so divinely sweet, what will it be, O Lord above, Thy gladdening smile to meet?”
Some years later, as part of my involvement with Sunday School, there was the enthusiastic singing of “Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with His glory and grace, I want to see my Saviour’s face. Heaven is a wonderful place.”
I recall that, many years ago, as a teenager, I attended a Bible study on the book of Revelation. One of the contributors was a respected Bible teacher, and I was shocked when he said, “If heaven is sitting on a cloud, strumming a harp, I am not looking forward to it one bit!” Today I appreciate his honesty.
I often feel in awe at the prospect of eternity in heaven. We are finite beings, accustomed to limited times of hours, days, weeks, and years. Are you, reader, like me, puzzled at the prospect of being in heaven where there is no end? I have heard of blind Christians speaking of a time when, in heaven, their eyes are opened to see – and the first person will be Jesus. But then what?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, there is much that we do not understand in Scripture and a lot more that we haven’t been told about. I pray that you will help us to appreciate that though the prospect of eternity is beyond our understanding, it is something we can anticipate with joy. AMEN