Look Forward to Heaven

This morning I am starting a new study on Heaven. The writer, Randy Alcorn, points out that it is the place that we should be looking to to keep us going when things get tough in this life.

The day one lesson asks, “Are You Looking Forward to Heaven?” Well, are you?

I know that for me I do get drawn in to the things of this world, whether the work, the fun, the experience, or simply the existence. Am I looking forward to what comes after, and if I am, where are my eyes fixed? It does matter and I am here to tell you that I guess I do not really thought about the looking forward part, even as I know and write about the joys that lay there. I am thankful for this study to draw me to placing my gaze on the LORD and what comes next as opposed to what is here in this world.

“¹¹Your splendor has been brought down to Sheol,

along with the music of your harps.

Maggots are spread out under you,

and worms cover you.”

¹²Shining morning star, a

how you have fallen from the heavens!

You destroyer of nations,

you have been cut down to the ground.

— Isaiah 14:11-12 (CSB)

Let’s start with why we might think of Heaven as an existence of doing the same thing over an over. Well it is the Devil. He was kicked out of Heaven and now has sour grapes over the place that he once called home. The Devil is miserable and wants nothing more than for everyone to join him. He purposely points to Heaven as a place of drudgery and that this world is where the fun is. This world is where the excitement is. This world is where all can experience pleasure. The reality is that, as Randy Alcorn says, “Satan hates us”.

“²¹For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²²If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” – Philippians 1:21-24 (ESV)

Now, Heaven and what a wonder it is to look forward to. Paul wrote the above to the church at Phippi. He was explaining that he is not giving in to death, for the sake of those who are in need of the gospel and encouragement. He is, however keeping his eyes on that reward in Heaven, for that is what is keeping him going in this world to ensure that we are cared for and led to the LORD and the glory that comes. Paul understands that there is work to do here in this world, yet the reward does not come here, it is in that place, Heaven, where things will be glorious beyond what we can imagine. To finish the statement from Randy Alcorn that I mentioned earlier, “Satan hates us, he’s determined to rob us of the joy we’d have if we believed what God tells us about the magnificent world to come.”

I choose to look forward to Heaven as opposed to dwelling in this world. I know that I have work to do as assigned by God. My reward is not here, but in Heaven with the Father and this world is just along the journey to get there.

What is your thought on Heaven? Is it a place you are looking forward to as drudgery? What if you were to look forward as it is, the place far better than this and this world is only the place to do the work assigned by God as we wait on arrival there?