Psa. 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Do yo want to go to heaven? You may think that is a really stupid question but I think it is a question we need to ponder. You may say you want to go to heaven but not just yet.
That actually reveals the truth hidden away in our hearts. It’s not that we want to go to heaven it’s just that heaven is a huge improvement on the other options. Over the last fifteen years I have been influenced dramatically by the teachings of Jonathan Edwards. He made it a habit to think about heaven on a daily basis. His focus on heaven poses some interesting questions. Listen to some of Edward’s thoughts about heaven.
“What is it which chiefly makes you desire to go to heaven when you die? Indeed some have no great desire to go to heaven. They do not care to go to hell; but if they could be safe from that, they would not much concern themselves about heaven. If it be not so with you, but you find that you have a desire after heaven, then inquire what it is for. Is the main reason, that you may be with God, have communion with him, and be conformed to him? That you may see God, and enjoy him there? Is this the consideration which keeps your hearts, and your desires, and your expectations towards heaven?”
These words can be quite disturbing if your heart is not right with the Lord. You see heaven is not about golden streets, loved ones and no more sickness or poverty. Of course all those things are part of heaven but that is not what makes heaven heaven. Heaven is heaven because Jesus is there. He is the central focus of heaven. This is why Paul said that to depart and be with Christ was better for him but for him to stay on in the flesh was better for the church.
Edwards went on to expose some of the misconceptions about heaven with these words.
The Mohammedans, for instance, suppose that in heaven are to be enjoyed all manner of sensual delights and pleasures. Many things which Mohammed has feigned are to the lusts and carnal appetites of men the most agreeable that he could devise, and with them he flattered his followers.–But the true saint could not contrive one more agreeable to his inclination and desires, than such as is revealed in the word of God; a heaven of enjoying the glorious God, and the Lord Jesus Christ. If God were not to be enjoyed in heaven, but only vast wealth, immense treasures of silver, and gold, great honor of such kind as men obtain in this world, and a as men obtain in this world, and a fulness of the greatest sensual delights and pleasures; all these things would not make up for the want of God and Christ, and the enjoyment of them there. If it were empty of God, it would indeed be an empty melancholy place.”
4 thoughts on “WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN?”
I had a thought on this this morning, before I even got on the net.no one outside of Christ would want to be in Heaven, it would be so forien and uncomfortable to them, we only get to go because we excepted Christ as Lord and savior, I remember before I came to the Lord were in the carnal nature that lived in me I would go out of my way to avoid Christains preachers church, living my own life, but after I came to the Lord and over the years of Him changeing me into more of his nature I long to somedsauy be with hHim there , a unbeleiver wouldnt desire this only Gods children in whom god made this for, I had a false concept of hell before I knew the Lord, I thought hell was a big party place and id get to party with all my friends, saten would be greeting us into hell ask why we came tell him and he would say hells bells hit him with a stick then bring him into hell and party!rolet wheels would be spining, playboy bunnys would be walking around, card games going every one just partyinmg down. once I got saved my concept changed on this I relised hell was created for saten and his angels a place of torment, Heaven was for His children to enjoy for all eternity and to love and be loved one way leads to distruction one way leads to joy of being with the lord and enjoying Him in all, eye has not seen or ear heard what he has planned for his children wqe cant even understand this it is so great!
Heaven is my home and there is no place I would rather be. Many is the day I look at the world in which we live and wish to go home, but then He still has plans for us now. I guess I will have to rejoice and enjoy the heaven I already have (the presence of God in my life) and press on hoping to have crowns worthy of laying at His feet, for He is worthy of more than I can ever hope to give.
AMEN, THERES NO PLACE LIKE HEAVEN, was thinking about it the other day looking around the world at the trees and clouds. I think of all the elders standing around Him, bowing down saying Holy , Holy, Holy. Gives me chills, It excites me so much. Praise Him. I can’t wait. But its his time not mine. Patience,.lol
Too have a walk and conversation with God in the Garden of Eden would be awesome! Then to view the real throne of God! Too marvel at it’s perfection while conversing with my savior at Gods right hand side! Always having God upon my mind non stop would be truly overwhelming! Actually breathing a sinless atmosphere would be such a blessing! Wow! Holy God would that set me on fire! God bless you my family!