“Is this as good as it gets?” That was the famous question asked by Jack Nicholson’s character in the movie appropriately titled As Good as it Gets. It’s easy to look around us and possibly apply the question to our current circumstances as all of us face challenges, struggles, and problems. However, if we are believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, then we have the hope of heaven after we die or are raptured.

Let’s be honest – it might be difficult to put our hope in a place we’ve never seen or experienced. On the flip side of challenges – what if things are going great now? What if we are experiencing a little bit of “heaven on earth” and aren’t in too much of a hurry to leave?

The images provided in books, movies, and sermons are not all that exciting. First impressions in my head are people and angels wearing white robes in the clouds equipped with harps, singing praises in a never-ending worship service, and a giant iron gate that Saint Peter is guarding to let people in or not. A nice, decked out mansion for a future residence. Quite a bit of down time. Finally, a chance to get some rest. Sitting around chatting with family and friends who made it. Maybe even wondering – I know God is here, but when do we get to see and talk to him? He’s probably extremely busy with all of these new residents. Is that as good as heaven gets???

It’s hard to put faith and trust in something that is invisible now. We are created to be visual. We can also conjure up images in our minds. If someone says, “Tom Cruise was at Six Flags riding The Texas Giant Roller Coaster (totally made this up).” Even if we’ve never been to this amusement park, we still can create a mental picture. What about Heaven? The quality images aren’t in abundant supply.

Even though our heads may not have all that great of images – the Bible is filled with them! A possible tremendous resource for future study is the book, Heaven by Randy Alcorn. It is the most exhaustive, hopeful, and “down to earth” perspective of the topic I’ve ever encountered. Let’s take a look at three major areas we can have future hope towards. I’ll also include some “earthly” pictorial images to help get a mental snapshot.

1. We will have a New Body – like Jesus’ after he rose from the dead! The apostle Paul tells us: But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into our immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die . . . (1 Corinthians 15: 51-54) This is definitely something to look forward to with great anticipation. Our bodies will be like Jesus’. We will have minds that don’t deteriorate over time. We will be able to move from place to place beyond walking (John 20:19). No more coughs and colds or flu season. Our bones won’t break. No headaches or migraines. Better yet – no more diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, heart problems, COVID, etc. Earthly images – think Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and The Flash!
2. We will live in a New Building(s) – Heaven! Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. . . And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband . . . 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 (Revelation 21: 1 – 4). Further on in the chapter it describes the length, width, and height of this magnificent structure of 1400 miles in each direction. Try and picture the most spectacular looking cube beyond your wildest dreams. This mega-cube will be the distance from Mexico to Canada in every direction! Jesus reassured his disciples saying, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14: 1 – 3). Earthly images – think of the architectural brilliance combined of Italy, France, and the castles in Germany. The mountain ranges of Switzerland, Colorado, and Canada. And the white, sandy beaches with clear water in Grace Bay, The Caribbean (Google search for clearest water and whitest sand)!
3. We get a New Boss – Jesus Christ! The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15). No more corrupt government, no more evil getting away with it, no more elections, no more political parties, no more taxes, no more corporate greed, no more wars, no more crime, no more poverty. Jesus is on the throne as the invincible ruler of the universe. He will first reign on earth for 1000 years (Revelation 20: 6). Then he will rule for all eternity in heaven with us as his loyal, fulfilled, and joyful subjects. And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new! . . . And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children (Revelation 21: 5-7). Earthly images – think of good kings using their power to serve and protect their people – Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings, Aslan the Lion from the Narnia tales, and King Arthur.

Conclusion: Remember the dull images at the beginning of this post? The truth is the exact opposite. We will be busy doing what we’ve always been created to do. We will be joyful, fulfilled, adventurous, energetic, 100% healthy, surrounded by love, in community, creative, and thriving. We will be busy – there won’t be time to sit on clouds and strum a harp. We will serve God in Heaven (Revelation 7:15; 22:3). Service is active, not passive. Randy Alcorn states: Work in Heaven won’t be frustrating or fruitless; instead, it will involve lasting accomplishment, unhindered by decay and fatigue, enhanced by unlimited resources. We’ll approach our work with the enthusiasm we bring to our favorite sport or hobby . . . In Heaven, we’ll reign with Christ, exercise leadership and authority, and make important decisions (Luke 19: 17-19 and page 412 of Heaven). Some other great resources besides your Bible and the book Heaven are: Hereafter: It’s Far Better Than You Can Imagine by Terry James and All Things New by John Eldridge.

How do I get in and become a citizen of Heaven? The Apostle Paul provided that answer for all of us: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Don’t put this off. I conclude with a question worth wrestling with right now and resolving today: What happens after this life???

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische