Longing for Heaven

Bible Christians are truly blessed by God. We enjoy the time that we have been given to live here on earth to serve and honor God, while at the same time sharing His refreshing plan of salvation to everyone we can. We do this because we know that when we die, we have so much more to live for at the resurrection. The longing that we as Christians have for heaven motivates us to be pleasing to our heavenly Father while living on earth. Let’s take a moment to consider some facts concerning heaven.

What Is Heaven?

Heaven is God’s throne. “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest” (Acts 7:49). “But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne” (Matthew 5:34). Christians look forward to the day that we can inherit an eternity with God in heaven where His throne is. Unlike this earth where we now live, we realize that heaven is a very secure place. Jesus said, “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). It certainly is going to be a much better place (Hebrews 11:16).

What Are We Going to Have There?

While we live here on earth it is important for us to invest in our eternal home. We do that by laying up treasures in heaven (Matthew 19:21). When we practice righteousness, obey, love, and honor God here on earth we are going to have our names written in the Lamb’s book of life. “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20, see also Revelation 20:12).

When we stay the course here on earth, even when we are persecuted and treated unjustly until the very end of our life, then we can be assured that a great reward awaits us there. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). What a great and tremendous day that will be to know that we have gained an inheritance in heaven that is kept for us with our Lord (1 Peter 1:4)! What a peaceful thought it truly is to know that we will be living in heaven for evermore with our Father (Matthew 6:9) and Jesus Christ His Son (Mark 16:19; Hebrews 9:24). These are the reasons why the Christian can and should stay motivated to work and serve God faithfully and diligently while living on earth – knowing that we are going to enjoy the beauty and joy of heaven for eternity!

Who Will Be Able to Enter Heaven?

The Bible (the word of God) clearly teaches who will be able to enter into the beauty of heaven. Bible Christians, those individuals who have become Christians based on the teaching of God, not man, will be able to enter heaven. These are the ones who have heard the word of God (Romans 10:17), believed the word and in Christ (John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6), repented (turned) from sin (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3); confessed Christ as the son of God (Acts 8:37; Matthew 10:32); and have been baptized for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21). Once one has had their sins forgiven by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, then one is considered to be a Bible Christian (Acts 11:26). The Christian must then be faithful to God until death to be able to receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

Conclusion

We, as Christians, are able to live here on earth, enduring all the persecution, pain, and suffering that may come our way because we know there is something much better awaiting us. The Hebrew writer penned these words, “but now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16). Satan is alive and well, seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). Therefore we must remain “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Jesus said only those who do His will be allowed to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21-23). I encourage every Christian to stay the course, be faithful until the very end of life so that we can hear the words of Jesus say to us at the judgment day “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).