The Book of Revelation gives us the only demographics concerning heaven – and most is related to the New Jerusalem. The Bible provides us with no GPS in order to locate heaven. There is no way anyone can get there except supernaturally – and only by the Blood of the Lamb.
The Word of God gives us only hints about heaven.
~It’s a place we were created to enjoy.
~God is not willing that anyone miss their opportunity to go there.
~It is a place of perfection, rest, reward, joy, and fellowship with God.
~Heaven is referred to 170 times in the New Testament – and 57 of those times are in Revelation.
~It is a place where our faith becomes reality.
~Jesus calls it a Kingdom
~Our inheritance is kept for us there.
~It is described as paradise.
~There we will live as the angels do.
~It is brilliantly lit – by Christ Himself.
~Heaven is a place of life, service, and worship.
Your “heavenly” Father is a term Jesus often uses. On numerous occasions, Jesus encourages us to:
~ “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven”.
~ “Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven”.
~ “If you follow Me, you’ll have treasure in heaven”.
~ “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven”.
Heaven acts like a magnet, drawing those of us who want to be there because of those who are already there. God’s kingdom is of interest only to those who long to breathe its atmosphere. Paradise has tremendous relevance to individuals who are born-again – who know the One who has paid our admission fee with His blood. We long to see His face.
The following powerful thoughts concerning heaven were penned by an unknown Christian in the year 1911:
“Let not your sins keep you from God’s heaven. There are two prerequisites for entrance into heaven: your sins must be pardoned and your nature must be changed. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Better to limp all the way to heaven than to not get there at all. Though the way be narrow, massive gates of pearl open wide to eternal life.
No one gets to heaven who has not sent his heart there first. Heaven attracts to itself only what is congenial to its nature: heaven must be in me before I can be in heaven. If I am an heir, then heaven is my inheritance. All who are prepared and righteous shall be gathered from the ruins of this world to adorn that eternal city which has no need of the sun or the moon to shine in it….for the Lamb is the light thereof (Rev.21:23).
Yonder is the land of everlasting brightness, where the soul drinks freely from the everlasting springs of water that flow by the throne of God. Every saint in heaven is a flower in the garden of God. Every soul there is a note in some concert of glorious music. Every person there is a jewel in the crown of God. In heaven is absolute purity, everlasting freedom, perfect rest, health and complete security. Heaven is a treasury of everlasting joy.
I am nearer my eternal home than I was yesterday – nearer to my Father’s house, closer to that place where I can lay my burden down…and at His feet, cast my crown. O, how blessed to inhale the atmosphere of paradise divine, and enter into that eternal rest which awaits the sons and daughters of God!”
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