Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Last week I received this magazine that offers trips around the world. Pictures of the sites, events to experience, meals provided, lodging and travel details are all outlined. Before one takes a trip it is a joy to study the details and location before one gets there. That way you have an idea of expectations. Our text came at a time when people were wondering about the trip heavenward. They had questions concerning the certainty of heaven, about their loved ones and what to say to one another. Keeping the thoughts of our text we will consider: Forever with the Lord.
Where are we going?
It might surprise you that there are not many passages that speak about going to heaven. In the Old Testament the term heaven usually refers to the sky where the birds fly and the stars shine. It is also used as the abode or home of God. Deuteronomy 26:15 (NIV84) — 15 Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, 1 Kings 8:30 (NIV84) — 30…Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. In the Old Testament we have one story of a person going to heaven. It is the story of Elijah 2 Kings 2:11 (NIV84) — 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
In the New Testament we have one reference. Revelation 11:12 (NIV84) — 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
Heaven is described in snapshot pictures of ideas that we can form an image in our minds even though we have never been there. Psalm 23:6 (NIV84) — 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Revelation 21:1 (NIV84) — 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Revelation 21:2 (NIV84) — 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. This is where you will read of streets of gold, foundations of gems and gates of pearls. All marvelous sights to behold! We also get the picture of a park. Revelation 22:1–2 (NIV84) — 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Another picture is what will not be in heaven: Revelation 7:16–17 (NIV84) — 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
What makes heaven so awesome is not the sights, not the gold, not the beauty. When taking a trip, what makes it special is whom are you with! So heaven is all about not the place but the who. Heaven is all about being in the presence of the Lord God himself. For the first time we will be able to see the Lord face to face. What the Bible stresses is the whole relationship of being with Jesus. Remember Jesus words to the Thief on the cross: Luke 23:43 (NIV84) — 43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Philippians 1:23–24 (NIV84) — 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. As our text proclaims: And so we will be with the Lord forever. We will be before the throne of God. Mark 14:25 (NIV84) — 25 “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” We are together with the Lord. We have a hymn that captured the thought this way: “Heaven itself were void and bare, If you Lord were not near me.” Psalm 17:15 (NIV84) — 15 And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
When will we experience all this?
The journey heavenward really begins at the moment of death. God’s word declares that Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NIV84) — 7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Remember the Thief, “today.” Revelation 14:13 (NIV84) — 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” So the soul of the believer goes directly to heaven. Death itself is a judgment day. We might say the situation at the point of death will not change later; we die either as a believer or an unbeliever. The whole study of what happens to an unbeliever is another whole sermon. Our text focuses only on the believer.
The people in Thessalonica wondered also what happens at the end of the world. Jesus had made this clear. The trumpet will sound and the Lord will appear with all his holy angels. Then will unfold the resurrection of the body. At that time the body and the soul will be reunited. The proclamation of death has been defeated is experienced by all believers and unbelievers. But those who are alive at the trumpet call will be changed into glorified bodies. Also those who had died will first come out and then those alive will meet the Lord in the air. Some have wondered about cremation. Years ago some chose that as a defiance to see if the Lord could raise the dead. But nothing is impossible for the Lord. Cremation can be an acceptable way to wait for the resurrection.
The whole subject of death and dying can weigh heavy on people’s hearts. Paul knows we will all feel the sting of death. As we struggle we are not to grieve as people with no hope. This whole section was written that we would be sure that heaven is ours. Notice none of the focus is on what we have or have not done. It is all about what Jesus has done and the promises he has made. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. I love the picture that Jesus and the Apostle Paul use concerning death, “Fallen asleep”. Seeing a sleeping baby, a grandpa in a recliner, they all look so peaceful. All it takes is the little call, “wake up.” So it is with those who are asleep in Jesus. He will simply call out, “wake up” and they will rise from the dead.
Now our text says “encourage one another” and “comfort one another” with these words. There is also a warning here. Just as there are no tears, no pain and sorrow in heaven the Bible also teaches that there are some people who will miss all this. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NIV84) — 9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. The Bible makes it clear that in Christ is full forgiveness and cleansing. It is the only way we are fit for heaven. Could it still be thrown away! What a shame if someone had once experienced the Christian faith and now is neglecting it. No matter for what reason, no excuse will stand up before the judgment seat of Christ. Don’t say it couldn’t happen. Paul writes: 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NIV84) — 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Being with Jesus is so important for all of us and for all of our loved one. We have a message then for those who need to be comforted, but also for those who need to get their priorities back in line. What a shame there are those who plan to be worshiping Jesus in heaven but refuse to serve him here on earth. So much is at stake, we as a congregation and individuals have work to do before the trumpet calls and we are forever with the Lord. Amen.
