Heaven

It is interesting and powerful to look at the portrayal of heaven in the Bible. There are lots of places where we could go to discuss heaven, but it would be hard to beat the description as given in the book of Revelation. This book is a vision given to John, a looking ahead to the triumph of God over Satan, and the triumph waiting for every Christian who endures the persecution and evil of this world.

There are many passages that could be referenced in the Revelation, but two of the most powerful are found in chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 4 gives the throne scene where God is on the throne being worshipped by people and creatures all around. The creatures "do not rest day or night, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!' " And 24 elders around the throne are saying: "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."

Then in chapter 5 we again see a throne scene, but this time the central figure is Christ described as a "Lamb as though it had been slain.." And the creatures and 24 elders "sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood. Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.' " And then thousands around the throne were saying, "with a loud voice: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing.' "

There is an amazing scene of happenings in Rev. 19:11 on. I won't try to cover all of that here, but it is a wonderful scene of our Savior, to me one of the most powerful images in all of the Bible. And then there is the physical description of heaven in chapters 21 and 22. This is the best depiction of heaven in the Bible, and interestingly it occurs right at the conclusion. To understand the book is to know that heaven isn't really physical; it is spiritual. But it is described in physical language so that we can visualize its beauty. And beautiful it has to be!

Thanks for reading and for your interest in spiritual things! And see you here next week....