HEAVEN - THE REST THAT REMAINS

 

     Heaven is a place of love, joy, rest and everlasting peace. "There the wicked cease from troubling, And there the weary are at rest." (Job 3:17)  God is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) He provides heaven as a place of rest for the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9-11)  Let us learn of heaven and desire to go there.

 

     Heaven is where Jesus came from. He said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." (John 6:38)  When God's time was just right, Jesus was born of a virgin, named Mary. (Galatians 4:4) Jesus bore our sins so heaven can be our home. (1 Peter 1:18-20) He came to earth so we can go to heaven.

 

     Heaven is where my name is written. "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” (Hebrews 12:22-23) Your name is in many places, on a marriage license, on property deeds, on checks, diplomas, passports, bills and many other places. If you have put on Christ in baptism and are a faithful part of the church of our Lord, then your name is written in heaven. Jesus will return from heaven to gather His faithful ones to be with Him forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) He is not coming back to set up a kingdom. He is presently King of kings, and Lord of lords. (1 Timothy 6:15)

 

     Heaven is the eternal home for our soul. "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3) Our physical body will die. But, there is an eternal house, not made with hands, waiting in heaven. (2 Corinthians 4:16-5:8) There we will have both a glorious body and a mansion in heaven.

 

     Heaven is our goal and our reward. "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven." (Matthew 5:12) Heaven is man's greatest gain.  To go to heaven: hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Luke 13:3), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), be baptized to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16), and stay faithful to God. (Revelation 2:10) Jesus wants all His followers to be in heaven. "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24)  Heaven is a place prepared for every true believer. Let’s go to Heaven together!

 

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama 36037