What makes “heaven” heaven? What comes to mind when you think about heaven? Many declarations that celebrate the promise of heaven can be quite materialistic. Consider the following lyrics of what was a very popular song about “going to heaven.”
I’m satisfied with just a cottage below
A little silver, And a little gold
But in that city where the ransomed will shine
I want a gold one that’s silver linedI’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old
And someday yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
The whole song is all about materialistic benefits when one gets to heaven. While it does use some images that may be found in Scripture, there actually is no reference to God at all!
What is it that the Lord promises believers concerning eternity? There may be certain elements that complete the picture of heaven. One such element provides comfort: “there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Revelation 21.4 NLT).
But the essence of heaven is not found in all these things. In fact, all these “benefits” of heaven are possible only because of one essential reality: the absolute presence of the Lord. Without the Lord, heaven does not exist at all. And “going to heaven” is about being with the Lord in eternity. When Jesus spoke to his disciples concerning his “departure” he assured them, “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14.3–4 NIV). The apostle Paul encourages his readers: “we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4.17 NIV). And in the last book of the Bible the grand declaration about eternity is this: “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” (Revelation 21.3 NLT).
Going to heaven is not really about going to some outer space to enjoy material benefits. Rather, it’s about the Lord coming to be with his people. And it is only in his presence, where he is the Mighty Monarch and Loving Lord, that all the good things that only he can give is ours to enjoy.
—Keith Jainga