Craig Clouston

 

Harps and Halos

August 23

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…

Revelation 21:1

As I talked with Roger, I had a vision of Jesus introducing me to family members I had never met on earth. We were surrounded by a multitude of relatives, all waiting to say ‘Welcome!’

“Heaven is so glorious…I can’t wait!” I said. “I’ll get to meet my Grandfathers, who did much to advance the Kingdom of God, and thereby passed on to me the legacy of serving Jesus Christ. We’ll be reunited with those we’ve lost. You’ll see Hope once more...”

Roger’s voice held the conviction of a man who believed God’s promise, “1Corinthians 2:9 says, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.’” He shared, “I tell my congregation that Heaven has been misrepresented by those who don’t know what awaits us…it’s more glorious and tangible than where we are today. But when you’ve never experienced it firsthand it’s difficult to visualize the truth.”

“It’s sad,” I said, “God’s own people don’t have a true picture of what Heaven looks like. It’s been portrayed as harps and halos by people who haven’t understood what God’s word really says.”

†

There will be harps in Heaven (Revelation 14 &15). As for the halos, we will receive certain crowns (James 1 & 1Peter 5). But Heaven is so much more!

Roger’s comment about visualization is a plague upon the Church. Many Christians have been given a pitiful view of Heaven, if they’ve been given one at all.

But Scripture is quite clear in that our Heavenly existence will be tangible, with commerce and employment (Matthew 25). We will serve the Lord with joy…nothing will have the drudgery or sense of toil it has here on earth (Revelation 22).

1Corinthians 2:10 says, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” If you don’t know what the scriptures indicate about Heaven, look it up. As you do, ask the Holy Spirit for a glimpse of the truth. I guarantee that if you look, He’ll show you the Heaven today’s text truly represents.

Prayer

“Give me a true picture of Heaven, Holy Spirit. Show me a glimpse of my Heavenly Home. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”