As I have gotten older, I will admit I think more about eternity than I did when I was younger. This year, I have lost a brother, a sister, and close friends. The truth of the matter is that unless Jesus returns, we are all going to take our last breath on this earth.

The thoughts about Heaven that get passed around are pretty convoluted. Let’s talk about Heaven.

Facts:

• The Bible teaches that the way to eternal life in Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus died and paid the price for our sin, thus reconciling us to God. I know it does not always set well with people, and I expect some pushbacks. I believe the Bible. The Bible clearly teaches that we do not get to Heaven through our good works. There are quite a few verses about this in the Bible, but I shall only give one. ^“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9.

• Everyone does not become an angel after death. Nowhere in the Bible is there any teaching that people wake up in Heaven as an angel. God has tens of thousands of angels in Heaven. I know people are sincere in trying to ease grief. Grief is hard. We should be thrilled to know that we are higher than the angels once we stand before God in Heaven. The Bible says, “Do you not know that we will judge angels?” (1 Corinthians 6:3). This verse may be referring to the rebellious angels who chose to follow Satan, but it still shows that our status after death will be above that of the angels. I believe Hollywood has perpetuated this belief in many of their movies. Our greatest example is that Jesus rose bodily after His death. I look forward to my glorified body, how about you?

• Our loved ones are watching us from Heaven. This one is questionable, but certainly not clear. When we lost our son Bryan, he left behind a wife pregnant with their first child. Well-meaning people would tell me that he was watching over us from Heaven. If that statement is true, we must remember that Heaven does not see through the same eyes as Earth. I cannot imagine Bryan seeing his grief-stricken wife suffer, causing him to walk around under a burden of sadness, while he was in the presence of the Lord. If Bryan does see, he will see as heaven sees, that everything is going to be okay because God is at work. I am thankful that God is watching over me and my family. There is no greater watchman than God. “For now, we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV.

• There will be no more. Truth! There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more cancer, no more wrinkles, no more racism, no more grief, no more division. I could go on and on. I am grateful that I will spend eternity where there will be no more!

• The central focus will be on the Lamb of God. Our eyes will be focused on Jesus Christ in all of His majesty, power, and splendor! He will be worshipped and exalted. “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ. one glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase, so, bravely run the race till we see Christ!”

• Believers preceding us in death will be there, and we will recognize them. Jesus was known to His followers after His resurrection. While I cannot give all the details of how this will look in Heaven, I do believe we will know our loved ones and friends who were saved by the work of the cross. I first want to see Jesus, and then I want to see Bryan, my mother, and others I have loved while upon the earth. It will be a glorious reunion.

• For the believer, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. “So, we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:6-9
  
  
• There will be a new heaven and new earth when we rule and reign with Christ. That’s a blog for a different day! “But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.” – 2 Peter 3:13 NLT
  
  
• I do not know everything there is to know about Heaven and eternity. I only know it will be glorious because God prepared it.

“I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side…
I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your Face is before me!
I can only imagine. I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing ‘Hallelujah!’? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!”