Longing for Heaven: What a Day That Will Be
John 14:2–3 (HCSB)“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”
We are taking a break from the attributes of God to discuss the eternal reality He made for us--Heaven.
There is something wonderful about the thought of heaven. A place where sorrow is gone, suffering has ended, and death will never again separate us from those we love. We spend much of our lives building homes, raising families, developing friendships, and enjoying the blessings God has given us. Yet even the happiest times remind us that nothing here lasts forever. Children grow up, loved ones pass away, our bodies grow older, and the world around us continually changes. But Jesus has promised something that will never change. He has prepared a place for those who belong to Him, and one day He will receive us into His presence. Philippians 3:20 reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. This world is where we presently live, but heaven is where we are designed to be.
Perhaps the most wonderful thing about heaven is that Jesus will be there. When He told His disciples about the place He was preparing, His greatest promise was not about its beauty or its comforts. He said, “so that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). Think about that for a moment. With Jesus. Not sharing Him. Not trying to relate, imagine or think of Him. With Him. The Savior who loved us enough to die for our sins wants us to be with Him forever. The apostle Paul wrote that departing this life to be with Christ was far better (Philippians 1:23). Today we know Jesus through His Word, through prayer, and through the work of His Spirit within us. But one day we will see Him face-to-face. First John 3:2 tells us that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is. The greatest joy of heaven will not be what we find there, but whom we find there.
Heaven is our home
I am craving Heaven today because it is also the place where the troubles of this life will finally be over. Revelation 21:4 promises that God will wipe away every tear and that death, grief, crying, and pain will be no more. I crave that today. Imagine a life without sickness, without fear, without broken hearts, and without the sorrow of saying goodbye. There will be no more hospital visits, funeral services, or anxious nights wondering what tomorrow might bring. No more sin. Nothing will interfere with our fellowship with God, and nothing can ever again spoil the joy of being in His presence. God will dwell with His people. (Revelation 21:3) The promise of heaven includes the new heaven and new earth, where God's people will live forever in His presence. What a wonderful future awaits those who belong to Christ!
The hope of heaven becomes especially precious when life is difficult. We all experience seasons when our hearts grow weary. Sometimes the burdens are so heavy that we wonder how much longer we can endure them. But remember the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed. That does not mean what we endure is insignificant. It means that what God has prepared for us is greater than anything we endure here. Paul encouraged believers in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 with the promise that those who have died in Christ will be raised and that we will be with the Lord forever. For followers of Christ, death is not the end of our story. Our hope rests in the risen Savior who has conquered death and promised everlasting life to everyone who believes in Him.
Thinking about heaven should also change the way we appreciate life today. The blessings we enjoy are gifts from God, but they are not substitutes for Him. Colossians 3:1–2 encourages us to seek what is above, where Christ is seated at God's right hand, and to set our minds on things above. We can enjoy our families, appreciate the beauty of creation, work faithfully, and love the people God places in our lives while remembering that something even better awaits us. The promise of heaven gives us a reason to persevere, a reason to forgive, a reason to love, and a reason to tell others about Jesus. We have an eternal home awaiting us, and others must know the Savior who has made that home possible.
There is a sweetness in longing for heaven that grows as we walk with Christ. The longer we know Him, the more we understand that nothing this world offers can compare with being in His presence. We do not have to despise this life to desire the next. We can be grateful for every day God gives us while eagerly anticipating the day when faith becomes sight. In Revelation 22:20, Jesus promises, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” And John's response expresses the longing of every heart that loves Him: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” What a wonderful day that will be. No more separation, no more sorrow, no more struggling against sin. Just the everlasting joy of being with our Savior. Heaven is our promised home, and Jesus is the reason we long to be there.
ReflecT
What do you look forward to most about heaven, and how does the promise of being with Jesus deepen that desire?
How does knowing that sorrow, suffering, and death will one day be gone encourage you through present difficulties?
How can the promise of heaven help you appreciate the blessings of this life without becoming too attached to temporary things?
Who do you miss most?
Who in your life needs to hear about the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful promise of heaven. Thank You that through Jesus Christ I have the hope of eternal life in Your presence. Help me appreciate the blessings of this world without forgetting the greater joy that awaits me. Strengthen my heart when life is difficult, deepen my love for Jesus, and increase my longing for the day when I will see Him face-to-face. Until then, help me live faithfully and share this wonderful hope with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.