Preparing Heaven

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Preparing Heaven

Believing in Jesus and becoming his follower transforms everything. As far as our past, Christ promises forgiveness and cleansing. We do not have to wallow in guilt and shame. He wipes the proverbial slate clean. As far as our present, Christ changes our essential nature. We are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17) with new hearts, new power, and a new outlook on life. And for the future - what is the hope of the person who knows Jesus?

Consider this promise of Christ: "In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:2-3).

In other words, our future, our hope is heaven. To hear Jesus tell it, heaven is a real place. It is where he and the Father live. It is where he plans for us to be. And, as someone has quipped, "God spent only six days creating the universe, but Jesus has spent the last 2,000 years preparing heaven for us . . . It must be quite a place."

In truth, the Bible is somewhat sketchy about the details of the life to come. We get:

glimpses of a great feast (Revelation 19:9)
an electrifying celebration (Revelation 5, 7)
a place of reward (2 Corinthians 5:10)
an eternity filled with meaningful service (Revelation 22:3) and reigning with Christ (Revelation 22:5).
Most of all heaven is a place where, finally, we see God face-to-face and know him intimately (Revelation 22:4).

Now do you see why the book of Revelation ends with the simple prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus?"

Read Revelation 21 and 22.

From the above list, what most excites you about eternity and heaven?

2003 Walk Thru the Bible.