Will You Be There?
Heaven is described by one of the hymn writers as “the beautiful isle of somewhere.” That sounds nice to the ear but the Lord has given us a much better understanding of heaven than that. The Bible assures us that heaven is not “somewhere” but where Jesus is. Heaven is a wonderful place. In speaking about it the Apostle John said there will be no more pain, no more night, no more sorrow, no more tears and crying, and no more death (Rev. 21:4). Most of these things characterize life on this earth. But in heaven there will be none of them.
What is heaven like? The Bible tells us that it is a place of UNTOLD BEAUTY. We read of the many mansions(rooms), a building of God, a house not made with hands, a city, a better country, an inheritance, glory (2 Cor. 5:1).
Since God Himself is a God of beauty, the world must have been extremely beautiful when first touched by the hand of the Creator. But sin entered and brought the blight of death to everything and blotted out the original glory. We may be sure, however, there will be no sin in heaven. It will be characterized by beauty in its fullest sense.
Furthermore, heaven is A PLACE OF FELLOWSHIP for the redeemed of all ages. For years we have read the writings of Moses, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and others. How thrilling to think that we will be with these writers. What a joy it will be to sit down with these men of God and listen to them describe in greater detail the unusual experiences about which we have been reading.
Imagine, if you can, the Apostle Peter describing the transfiguration, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. We will converse with Paul, Mary Magdalene, Daniel, and all the others. We will meet the great reformers like Luther and Wycliffe, and the great evangelists of the past such as Moody and Tory. All our loved ones in Christ will be there. Most important of all, we shall see and be with Jesus Christ. Can you fathom the privilege of speaking with Him personally?
We also find from the Scriptures that heaven is a place of HAPPY REUNION. The Thessalonian Christians were sorrowing because of the death of their dearest loved ones. But Paul, in his first epistle to the Thessalonian saints, reminded them that the time would come when we shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Many of us can remember at least one funeral service in our family. But death is not the end for those who are in Christ. There is going to be a joyous reunion one of these days. The question is often asked, “Will we know our loved ones in heaven?” I believe so. Did not Paul write, We shall be caught up together with them, speaking of the departed dead? Then he added, Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Do you think there would be any comfort in being caught up with our loved ones if we did not recognize them? Moses and Elijah were recognized on the Mount of Transfiguration, weren’t they? While Stephen was being stoned to death, he recognized the glorified Christ. Think also of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as found in Matthew 8:11, And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Does this not assure us of preserved personalities in heaven?
Next we see that heaven will be a place of UNLIMITED KNOWLEDGE. The knowledge possessed by the wisest and best educated men on earth is as nothing in comparison to what believers will know in heaven. We shall understand the mysteries of God. Many things that have confounded us for years will suddenly be explainable. The tears, sorrows, burdens, sleepless nights, will all have meaning.
The many things that perplexed us on this side of heaven will perplex us no longer, for we shall have all the answers. Here we know only in part, but there we shall know all things.
There are many more things that could be said about heaven but I shall mention only one. HEAVEN IS FOR ETERNITY. There will be no clocks and no calendars. Time will be no longer. We shall worship the Lord throughout all eternity. The metropolises on earth have endured for a period and then collapsed and disappeared. But the New Jerusalem will have God as its builder and will remain for eternity.
What a remarkable place heaven will be. The question is, will you be there? When you die will you go to be with the Lord. The Bible makes it clear that there are two destinies - heaven and hell. Everyone goes to one or the other. Which will it be? Are you on your way to heaven? Maybe you say, I think I am. You don’t have to think about it. You can know. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Christ came from heaven to earth. He was taken by wicked men and crucified. If you study the Old and New Testaments you will discover that this was the plan of God who sent His Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world. He died for you, and if you are willing to receive Him as your Savior and Lord, you can be saved immediately for all eternity. Are you ready to settle things? I hope so. Tell the Lord you are sorry for your sins and you want Him to become your Savior and Lord, and He will!
J. Allen Blair
WHY ARE YOU HERE?
If you've never faced this question, it is high time you considered it. It is the free message of the month by Dr. Blair, and he'll help you think about the reason that you were born and allowed to live on this earth. He wrote, “The Christian life is actually Christ living His life...”
DR. BLAIR’S BOOKS
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1,2,3 John Living Confidently
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2 Peter Living Faithfully
Jonah Living Obediently
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REFLECTIONS with Dr. Blair
Do you realize that there are fathers who spend more time training their hunting dogs than they do training their children? There are mothers who are more interested in their pet cats than they are their children. Animals in the zoo receive elaborate, expensive, highly scientific treatment. The right temperature and humidity are sustained in their enclosures. They are provided with the right kind of food even though in some cases it must be flown in from a considerable distance at great expense. There are many children in all parts of the world who do not get the care that is as good as the animals get in the zoo. There are zoo keepers who are more concerned about the animals than some parents are in caring for their children.
If you are a parent, you have a big job, the biggest in all the world. It is difficult, but not impossible, for with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). It is not an easy road. Thus, I would urge you to be sure your heart is right with the Lord because it is impossible to do what you have to do for your children in your own strength. Only as you know the Lord personally and trust Him for His moment-by-moment guidance and direction, will you be able to do anything worthwhile.
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5
What Dr. Blair says about Repentance
It is not fear, feeling, fasting, afflicting the body, conviction, praying, reading the Bible, forsaking one particular sin. It is an about face. It is turning away from a life dominated by sin to one that is controlled by Christ.
Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.
Ezekiel 33:11