Knowing the Hope of Heaven
By T. Sean Sullivan

Introduction:

A wonderful sense of anticipation fills us when we are looking forward to certain things. Each Christian should have an ever-increasing sense of eager anticipation that is based on his hope of Heaven. We do not know when our lives will end, but we do know that each day, the end draws one day closer. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." {Hebrews 9:27}

To many people, death is a dreadful thing. But those who have the hope of heaven should feel no dread. The sting of death is taken away for those who love the Lord. "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?'" {1Corinthians 15:54, 55}

God has revealed to mankind beautiful words about heaven which, when he reads them, enable him to picture that place in his mind's eye. Knowing about heaven is not sufficient; we must gain true hope that we are actually headed there. In this article, we consider the beauty of the place known as heaven, the way to get there, and the preparation we must make in order to achieve arrival there.

Knowing the beauty of the place known as heaven:

The kingdom of Heaven has greater value than some understand:

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." {Matthew 13:44-46}

This comforting passage teaches us to value the hope of heaven God promised to all of His children. In truth, nothing compares to it or can be considered more valuable.

The Bible describes heaven as a spectacular, glorious place. "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there)." {Revelation 21:22-25}

Heaven is a prepared place {John 14:1-6}, a truly perfect place for the souls of God's people {Revelation 14:12-13}. It is diametrically opposed to the place known as hell {Mark 9:43-48}. Hell is spoken of as having a lake of fire {Revelation 20:15} and outer darkness. It is completely secluded from all that is good; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth {Matthew 25:30}.

Knowing how to get there:

We need direction {Jeremiah 10:23}. We possess the ability to walk, the ability to know many things; however, without God's help, we have no knowledge of the direction in which to walk to find righteousness.

We need direction, and God abundantly provides for this need. He shows us His path and teaches us how to travel on it.

"I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." {Psalm 119:101-105}

We need to study and follow God's directions {1 Timothy 4:13-16}. Those directions are clear; Jesus said there are only two paths from which to choose; and only the NARROW path will lead us to life {Matthew 7:13,14}. We need to travel His way. Only by fixing our eyes on Him can we hope to arrive in heaven one day {John 14:6}. We, of necessity, must abide in His word {John 8:31, 32}. As God's people, our only hope of gaining heaven is by conducting our lives in the light of His doctrine {2 John 9-11}.

We need to understand that this pathway is a life-path. Life can be long, and we must continually strive for patience {Hebrews 6:12}, endurance {Hebrews 10:35-39}, and faithful adherence to our Master's commands {Philippians 2:14-16}.

Proper preparation gives us real hope:

We need to know the requirements associated with the place toward which we are travelling. Do not assume that you're doing okay. You might be wrong {Proverbs 14:12}. God requires righteousness of those who would enter heaven. "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." {Revelation 21:27} Knowing this, we need to take care of any sin that might prevent our being able to go there. God, through His Son, set in order a plan by which sinners can be redeemed from their past sins. If we follow that plan and demonstrate true conversion by arranging our lives to offer righteous service, we will be prepared for heaven.

The crystal-clear instructions are for those who have honest hearts. Consider those in the early church established on the Day of Pentecost in the first century {Acts 2:36-42}. On that day, for the first time, repentance and forgiveness of sins were preached in His name {Luke 24:44-47}.

Conclusion:

We all face life's journey. What makes it better and easier is the knowledge that we are going to heaven. Do you have the hope of heaven in your life? It's not enough to admire it as a beautiful, peaceful, blissful place. And it's not enough to wish to make the journey. Only by steadfastly and continually preparing can we KNOW that heaven will be our final destination.

God has given us His directions. He wants us all to be there with Him. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness." {2 Peter 3:9-11} You must make the choice!


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