There’s a Beautiful Place Called Heaven
Belinda Carlisle sings a love song in which the lyrics say, “Oh, heaven is a place on earth.” No, not scripturally! And who would want an eternal home on this earth anyway? Heaven, scripturally, is described as a prepared place for a prepared people who have obeyed the God of Heaven, that they might hear Jesus say to them, “Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34).
Paul reminds us of Isaiah 64:4 when he wrote to Corinth, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) Yet, in the next verse, Paul says, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” Does this mean the Spirit accurately described the beauties of Heaven? No, for the description is at best given in temporal terms, because the temporal mind of man cannot otherwise comprehend the majesty of God’s eternal home. Read the rest of 1 Corinthians 2, noting this fact: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (vs. 14) It is needful for us to think spiritually (Romans 8:6)
Many claim Revelation 21 is a description of Heaven. Frankly, from verses 2 and 9, the passage more accurately describes the beauty of the Lamb’s wife, which is the church (see Ephesians 5:22-33). But if John, by inspiration, does describe Heaven, he does so using earthly things that will perish (2 Peter 3:4-12). Heaven is God’s throne, and the earth His footstool (Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:49). With God being eternal, that would require His throne to be eternal, but not necessarily His footstool. The apostle Paul mentions this eternal abode by comparing this mortal life with that which is eternal: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18) He further emphasized this thought at 2 Corinthians 5:1. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
So, with the preceding in mind, I long to see with immortal and incorruptible eyes the beauties of God’s home! The marvelous images conjured in our finite minds, as non-descript as they are, cannot begin to describe the actuality of Heaven’s beauty! For now, I must accept the spiritual discernment of its reality (1 Corinthians 2:14). This requires a mindset that is much different from the limitations of mortal mind. I must think as Paul writes, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) This requires compliance with the commandment of Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” This requires the mind to understand, “ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Yes, there is no question of how beautiful heaven must be! It is far beyond the most beautiful of God’s creations on this, His footstool – and there are countless beauties beyond descript in this old world! Yet, God has promised that blessed home of the soul to those who will faithfully obey Him and live in that faithful obedience throughout their lives (Revelation 2:10). The words of Jesus we long to hear, “Enter into the joy of thy Lord.” (Matthew 25:21, 23). Such welcome will usher the redeemed into the eternal beauties of God’s home, Heaven. Yes, I want to behold eternally that beautiful place called Heaven!
