Heaven, Hell, or Something in the Middle?
Sometimes I daydream about heaven. Do you ever wonder what heaven is like? It’s not a bad idea to put some thought into a place we’ll be forever, regardless of varying beliefs.
My childhood church did an annual event called Judgement House. Don’t let the name fool you. It was worse! Imagine a fatal accident scene complete with teenagers doused in ketchup. Different church rooms were converted into subsequent scenes through hell and heaven. I’d have nightmares for weeks over both! Hell was way too intense, but heaven, with all the stark white and repetitious harp music, didn’t seem like a great option either. I have vivid prayers etched in memory of begging God for a 3rd option. Lord, may I please go to purgatory in math class. You know I hate math but anything other than the Grim Reaper or harp music please! I’ll be on my best behavior I promise! Amen!
Through the years my thinking on eternal life has evolved. Scripture doesn’t give us all the details about our future, but it does give us a glimpse. And the glimpse is gorgeous! When Jesus talks about our eternal future, He doesn’t talk about heaven like we often do. Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God which is His rightful authority being extended throughout the nations. It’s not a kingdom of power but of love and those who follow Jesus are instrumental in extending God’s Kingdom. Jesus inaugurated God’s Kingdom at His first coming (Mark 1:15) and Jesus will consummate God’s Kingdom at His 2nd coming.
What will that be like? Jesus likes to describe it as a massive party with an unusual guest list (Luke 14:15-24). Sweet!
How future events will unfold are debated but Jesus followers must agree on His return to establish God’s Kingdom on earth. In the meantime, those who upgrade to the presence of Jesus before His return will be at a grand pre-party! The throne room of heaven includes Jesus and a sea of distinct people from cultures around the world (still distinguishable by the way) unified in common praise (Revelation 5:9).
My purpose isn’t to outline The End. Honestly, I’ve got my fair share of questions. But what I do see in the description of our future makes me yearn for home and Jesus’s return.
Jesus will usher in the will of God on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). His authority will be extended across the globe as the nations are judged (Revelation 19:15). If we struggle with the judgement of Jesus consider atrocities like those in Sudan, Ukraine, and the complex region of Palestine. Judgement is Jesus calling evil to account. Imagine an existence under the full authority of Jesus as we fulfill our original design as stewards over the created order. Not to gain but to give.
The most vivid picture of our future is given in Revelation 21 and 22. There turns out to be a 3rd option after all. Heaven isn’t our destination; new creation is! God’s dwelling will be with humanity on the new earth and some things will be left behind: death, grief, crying, and pain (Revelation 21:4). The joy of the Lord will be all consuming and never ending!
I was thinking about eternity as I watched my youngest son recently. He was overtaken with excitement on an amusement ride. I don’t know all that our future entails, but it’s got to be closer to Busch Gardens than clouds and harps. As I watched on, I was struck by the beautiful array of people, different, yet unified in joy. For a few moments, time stopped, and people were free to be a more accurate representation of who we truly are. Creatures uniquely stamped with the image of God, made to delight in Him and the world around us.