Perspectives

Psalm 19:1-6… 1) The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2) Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3) They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4) Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5) It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6) It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. (NIV)

People from all levels of society who are most sincere and who possess a down-to-earth faith have had to struggle with the complexities and limitations of human language in their attempt to understand divine truth. If, for instance, the average person on the street, who have never studied scriptural teaching, were to read, “Our Father which art in heaven,” it would mean almost nothing to them. Now even among those of us who have been accustomed to reading the Word of God… there are times when we do not understand a simple statement… like our Father which Art in heaven.

Countless times, I must admit that I am far too vague in my ideas about certain spiritual realities, spiritual truths. If God is in heaven, well then, I ought to know something about heaven. If He is my Father and heaven is where He lives, heaven is His home; well then, I might do well to know something what that realm, that kingdom, what it is really like.

Heaven #1: We find it used over and over with reference to the earth’s atmosphere. It is meant to describe the envelope of the air that surrounds the planet, conditions our climate, and sustains life. The formation of clouds, the precipitation of rain, hail, or snow, the water vapour that provides mist, dew, and frost, all as coming from heaven.

Heaven # 2: The second heaven is what we call outer space. It explicitly applies to the sun, moon, stars, and sky. It indicates the unmeasured immensity of numberless galaxies flung across infinite expanses. represents the endless orbit of stellar assemblages that circle through the night in majestic movements.

Heaven # 3: There is a third heaven referred to throughout the New Testament as the realm or kingdom of God. At times described as a definite place, a heavenly country, a New Jerusalem, a home prepared especially for God’s children… Unless we have accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour and call God our Heavenly Father in this world, we would not sense that home feeling in Heaven. This is a most solemn and sincere consideration. And, I am sure, it was one of the thoughts in Jesus’ mind when He taught His disciples to Pray, Our Father, which art in Heaven.

We shall be free from tears because life carries with it more pain than pleasure. What a delightful deliverance to be free of such grief-stricken moments. Think of it!! No more death. The presence of God our Father and the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary… Because of the power of our Father’s eternal presence, and because of what Christ accomplished at Calvary, death cannot exist. For us who know God as our Father, death is but a doorway into His home. We shall enjoy total deliverance from sorrow caused by regrets and remorse. At our absolute best, we are bound to have made frequent grievous errors. We have entertained wrong attitudes, spoken unkind words, harboured selfish motives, and indulged in wrongful acts… causes a muddied stream of remorse and sorrow. Yet, in heaven what joy to know that we are free from the guilt and regrets of our life’s misdeeds. Numberless thing’s heaven will be like. It is important to remind ourselves again that this is our Father’s home. Heaven is what it is by the fact that His presence, power, conduct, and character make it such… these few statements by any means cannot fully describe what heaven is like… To God Be the Glory Great things He Has Done…

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I want that peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name. Amen”