Matthew 6:9-13-"Pray like this:Our Father IN HEAVEN, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen."
What do you know about heaven? Most of us don't know all that much, so we don't think about it that often. We know it will be great, and that we will be able to be with God all the time, (which is awesome!) but do we know what we will do there, what it will be like, and what we will look like? Since I don't know the answers, I'm going to turn to God's Word to shed light on the subject.
Revelation 4:3-4-"The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones-like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads."
Revelation 21:1-5-"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!' And then he said to me, 'Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.'"
Revelation 19:6-9-"Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: 'Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.' For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people."
Revelation 21:21-23-"The twelve gates were made of pearls--each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light."
Matthew 22:29-30-"Jesus replied, 'Your mistake is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God. For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels."
"Jesus wears all the glory which the pomp of heaven can bestow upon him, which ten thousand times ten angels can minister to him. You cannot with your utmost stretch of imagination conceive his exceeding greatness: yet there will be a further revelation of it when he shall descend from heaven in great power, with all the holy angels 'Then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.' Oh, the splendor of that glory! Nor is this the close, for eternity shall sound of his praise. 'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever!' Reader, if you would joy in Christ's glory hereafter, he must be glorious in your sight now. Is he so?"-Charles H. Spurgeon
Is Jesus glorious in your sight? Although some people think heaven is a place for us where we can have all the desires of our hearts, it is really a place for God, where He can be praised, and where He can love and take care of His dear children. (all those who have given themselves for His purpose and glory, and through faith have been forgiven) If you don't know Jesus, and if you haven't asked for His forgiveness, you arent' going to heaven! You wouldn't want to anyway, because in heaven, all praise goes to Jesus!
All you have to do, though, is confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and know in your heart that God raised Him from the dead--and you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Our glorious Father lives in heaven with His angels and with the Son and Holy Spirit. Whenever you feel overwhelmed with this life, or caught up in your troubles, say to yourself, "Jesus paid it ALL. He has paid the price, and I have accepted it. In a few more days, I'll be going home. I'll be with Jesus and walk along the streets of gold!" He is all that matters. :)
Keep Measuring up! You are loved. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and you won't sink. Even if you do sink, He will reach out and save you. God is love, and all things good! To God be the glory.
-Jenna Hampton
with prayer, thanksgiving, and God's Word.
P.S.--Read Revelation if you want to know more about what God has in store for the end of the world and His kingdom. If you consider it scary or hard to understand, pray that He will help you undertand its meaning better. He is faithful! He will help!
