I cannot imagine eternal glory . . .

I’ve tried to imagine heaven. It seems reasonable to suppose that everyone has done the same, yet we are not able to do it. The Bible gives very little to go on.

The Old Testament also says no one has seen God and lived. The NT echoes this about the glories of salvation by expanding something Isaiah wrote: “As it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’ — these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

Yet John was given a glimpse of the eternal city, representing both the people of God and their eternal dwelling place. His description does not answer all my questions (such as will there be things to do there, or pets, or what will we look like?) but it is a spectacular vision, almost that of a structure of jewels.

John describes a large structure, like a cube or pyramid with a wall made of jasper and the city made of pure gold, as pure as glass. This is a language of appearance since both jasper and the gold are not like these metals as we know them. The city’s foundations have the apostles’ names inscribed on them using 12 stones of different colors. The city’s jeweled beauty may have symbolic meaning yet the description gives no clues or precise interpretation. Since it is was described at first as the Bride of Christ, I can assume that God’s people will live there and that this is my future dwelling place along with others who believe, both the church and Israel. The church is represented by the apostles’ names on the foundations, and Israel by the names of their 12 tribes on the gates. This maintains a distinction between the two even though both are people of faith.

John also says this:

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:22–27)

Revelation often describes Jesus as the Lamb, but this is the only place where the book of life is called the Lamb’s book, suggesting that this is the home of those who trusted His sacrifice for their sin. In other words, the description does not answer all my questions concerning eternity with God, just that this revelation to John describes a beautiful and glorious future for all who put their trust in Jesus who died for our sins.

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Jesus, I’ve seen You in all the pages and passages of this Revelation and each one of them refers to Your gracious saving power. I rejoice again in You. Our lives are filled with uncertainties and even threats and dangers, yet You are the anchor of my soul, the One in whom I can place my trust. You are my refuge and my strength and my hope for these troublesome days and for all eternity.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- the hope of glory forever with Jesus.

- today’s challenge to not let the world’s idea of a great life be mistake for Jesus’ promise of abundant life.

- resting in Jesus.

- answered prayer regarding a friend’s marriage.

- apple crisp with whipped cream

Room for everyone

In a small Alberta town near our family farm, there were more than eight churches, literally one on each corner. We often made jokes about this, but later I realized that if every person in that town went to church, there would not be enough space to accommodate them.

This will not be a problem in heaven. While I have no idea what it will look like, I do know that Jesus will be there, there is no need for the sun for His light will illuminate it, we will not need buildings of worship, and there will be a place for everyone. Jesus said so…

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (John 14:2)

Some Bibles translate “many rooms” as “mansions,” suggesting a place that is bigger and better than anything we live in here. That is possible, but the Greek word used means “dwelling” or “abiding place.”

Later in the verse, it says Jesus is preparing a place for His people. That little word “place” adds something interesting. This word could be translated “opportunity.”

What does Jesus have in mind? I don’t know, but this is exciting. I do know that heaven will be grand because Jesus is involved in its preparation. I could be a place of opportunity, suggesting to me that in heaven, each person will enjoy life to the full, having greater occasion to live as God intended, something we cannot do here because of our own sin and the sins of others.

The disciples were sad that Jesus was going to leave them. I wonder what they were thinking when He explained what He would be doing before they joined Him. Typical of Peter, he wanted to go with Jesus right then, but Jesus said he could come later. (John 13:36)

For me, I hear the same word, later. Some days I long to leave this dwelling place and be in the one that Jesus is preparing. Yet He says later, perhaps because that place is still being made ready. Whatever the reason, I need to make the very best of this place where I am, using it to serve and glorify the One who is most interested in where I live when I leave here. I also need to tell others about these many, many rooms which means there is room for everyone, and all people need to know they can be included.

God is my eternal dwelling place

Yesterday was filled with delights, talking about the Lord with my sister as we drove and discovering God in several unexpected places. And why not? God is ever-present, always dwelling with us. However, today’s Scripture speaks of Him also being our dwelling place.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:1–2)

Here, the words “dwelling place” refer to a refuge, a hiding place, a retreat for the people of God. He is our strong tower, the One to whom we can run when danger threatens or when we are exhausted and need His grace and help. Many times I don’t know what I would do or how I could survive without this eternal place of refuge.

Also, He has always been here, before I was born, even before the creation of the world. God is eternal, an eternal, everlasting place for me to live. As I try to grasp that reality, my heart is filled with wonder. How can God be this? Even more amazing --- why does He care to surround His people with His eternal love and protection?

Surely we do not earn or deserve it. There is nothing in me that merits the goodness and grace of God. I’m convinced that He is my eternal dwelling place because that is who He IS; having nothing to do with me, except that I am on the receiving end.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound – that saved a wretch like me – You are my Hiding place. You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You, I will trust in You. Let the weak say I am strong in the strength of the Lord; I will trust in You whenever I am afraid…because You are my dwelling place!

Lowering my Aim

I’ve met a few famous people, and after meeting them, my ideas of what makes a person great are changing.

I used to think that reaching the top of the ladder would bring with it a superior sense of confidence in oneself and an aloofness from the ordinary person. Some are like that, but for the most part, the authors, speakers, politicians and entertainers that I’ve met are surprisingly humble and approachable. They come to mind as I’m reading Recalling the Hope of Glory by Alan Ross.

Ross begins this book by discussing the holiness of God. He points to Isaiah 57:15: “For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’”

In Isaiah 6, the prophet had a vision in the temple where angelic beings declared the holiness of God. What he heard and saw astounded and convicted him. He recognized his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of the people around him. He made no excuses, asked for no favors. Instead he cried out, “Woe is me, for I am undone!”

Upon his confession of sin, God forgave Isaiah and gave him a job to do. Later Isaiah tells the people, who were still unrepentant, that their Holy God lives in a high and holy place. He is a different, other than, separate from, cannot be compared with any other being. He is holy, holy, holy and even unapproachable, yet He also chooses to dwell with those who humble themselves. In fact, this verse says that God’s high and holy dwelling place is with such people—humble people can dwell with Him, but only in their humility!

The more I learn about the greatness of God, the more I realize the enormity of His mercy and grace. He is superior, over all creation. He could act like it. He could be aloof from everyone and everything. He could turn His glory away from us and has every right and reason to do so. But He chooses to make Himself at home in the hearts of people who know their place before Him and can say with Isaiah, “Woe is me, for I am undone.”

Is God humble? Is He like those famous people I have met who do not consider themselves anything special? Does He say, “Aw, shucks” when praised?

Of course He doesn’t, yet there is a humility about God that is exemplified in Jesus Christ. This is the true humility described in Philippians 2:5-8, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery (something held on to) to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and become obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Holiness and humility. The High and ‘other than’ God choose to become one of us. I cannot wrap my mind around it, but I know it is true.

For me, true humility is choosing to be a servant of the most High, not caring about reputation or what I look like. It is giving up my life (and my ‘rights’) to serve God. It is having the mind of Jesus. Whew, I’ve a lofty target, and to hit it I must stop aiming high and lower myself.