I’m sure most of you have heard the stories of someone being on the brink of death and they have their whole life flash before their eyes. I’m not sure if that’s true or not, I can’t find anything in Scripture that tells us that’s what happens. However, we do have some Scriptures that tell us what heaven will be like and I’d like to share with you some of my thoughts this morning.
I guess this comes in part from spending the last ten days with my Mother. She has lived a full and wonderful life. She talks of the good things she has experienced and of her greatest joys here on earth; family, friends, and serving the Lord. And then she talks of heaven; seeing Jesus, being reunited with my father and other loved ones, meeting those people from the Bible whose stories she has read dozens of times.
She is so looking forward to heaven!
She really doesn’t want to wait any longer. She would like to go now but is content to wait on the Lord’s timing. We have talked about the joy of that moment; she wants us to have a party when she goes home.
“So my heart and soul will be very happy. Even my body will live in safety, 10 because you will not leave me in the place of death. You will not let your faithful one rot in the grave. 11 You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever. ” Psalm 16:9-11 ERV
The Lord has promised, that when we receive the new life that Jesus died to give us, He will forgive all our sins and He remembers them no more.
“Never again will anyone have to teach their neighbors or their family to know the Lord. All people—the greatest and the least important—will know me. 12 And I will forgive the wrongs they have done, and I will not remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:11-13 ERV
That is so amazing to me – God chooses to forget our sins! He doesn’t remind us of our failings; He isn’t keeping score to see if we’ve been good enough. He’s made us good enough because of our relationship with Jesus. When we accept His sacrifice, we receive His forgiveness.
So what will heaven be like? Constant joy! We will be in the Father’s presence and that is a place of constant joy.
“I heard a loud voice from the throne. It said, “Now God’s home is with people. He will live with them. They will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain. All the old ways are gone.”
5 The one who was sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted.” Revelation 21:3-5 ERV
I recently heard a country song entitled “Worthy Watching”. It was sung by Johnny Lee. There is a line in the song that goes like this:
“When my life flashes before my eyes
It’ll be worth watching”
Once we receive Christ our life’s story is revised; our sins and shortcomings are blotted out and what lies ahead with definitely be “worth watching”. Thank you Lord for wiping away the tears!