Heaven on Earth

Too often, Christians have a vague understanding of heaven as a cloudy, indistinct place where we’ll wear white bathrobes and strum on harps. No wonder so many people don’t want to go there! If we take a good look at what the Bible actually says about heaven, we’ll find that it sounds pretty good. Heaven will ultimately be on earth (Revelation 21:1-5). I remember being so relieved when I first understood this. It’s a familiar, concrete idea I can wrap my mind around. God created the earth uniquely for habitation, with the intention that people live on it. That objective won’t change, but the earth will be made better. The Bible tells us the first earth will pass away and be made new—minus the sin, hunger, death, and war we’re all too accustomed to on the current one. We will have physical bodies (Philippians 3:20-21). Another relief, isn’t it? We’re accustomed to our five senses, to the pressure of air in our lungs and dirt under our feet. God intended us to be physical as well as spiritual beings, and that won’t change either. When Jesus rose from the dead, He had His physical body that bore scars and could consume food. Since Christ set the pattern we will follow, we can expect physical bodies too. His resurrection secures ours (1 Corinthians 15). God will dwell with us (Revelation 21:3). We were created for fellowship with God such as Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden. Sin destroyed that relationship, but Jesus conquered sin. One day, His work on the cross will come to full realization, and those who have put their faith in Christ will once again enjoy the presence of the Creator of the universe. Scripture tells us we are sojourners on this present earth and our true citizenship is in heaven because that’s where Jesus is. We can rejoice knowing that we will dwell with Him and His people forever—and that He will exceed our expectations in every way. • Michelle Isenhoff • What have you been taught about heaven? • Do today’s verses change your concept of it? Do they change your anticipation of it? But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Read Verses:

John 14:1-6; Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 21:1-5