Last week, our points of focus were the two words in Ecclesiastes 5:2, “in heaven”. We discussed that Heaven is a Place, a Promise and is intimately Personal. This week I would like to conclude these thoughts using the same verses and topic of “in heaven".
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
We also find in heaven Particulars. Our minds truly cannot fathom what really rests beyond the other side of the river, but Scripture has revealed some particulars of what we will one day find. Friend, in Heaven we find God’s Abode: “Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)" (II Chronicles 6:30).
Also, Heaven is where Christ Abides. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (I Peter 3:21-22). In Heaven, Children Await. “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14-16). Beloved, as if all of that which has been mentioned is not enough, we must also make mention of Heaven's Angels. “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;” (Revelation 5:11). Can you imagine the sound of over one hundred million angels in Heaven harmoniously singing praises to the Lord Jesus Christ? Amazing!
Truly all that is in Heaven would take years to preach upon. In addition to the splendor that awaits us when we arrive in Heaven, we will have the Personality of Christ. In 2 Peter, chapter 1, verse 4, we are revealed to be partakers of the divine nature of Christ that, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Because we are the partakers of Christ's divine nature in Heaven, we will have the ability to lead encouraging, Godly lives while here on earth, fulfilled by His blessings and grace, as detailed in continual reading of the chapter within verses 5 through 8. We will have the personality of Christ, much like as when iron is forged in a hot, blazing fire; it will begin to glow brightly and turn red like the fire, yet it continues to have the properties of iron. In this, Christians will glow brightly with the nature of Jesus Christ, pure and holy and perfect, but will still retain the iron of their own personalities in Christ.
In our heavenly home, we will be able to rekindle: Relationships with loved ones: even though it is on a Heavenly scale, it is to be expected that believers will know one another in that capacity. Just as David grieved when his child from Bathsheba died, he wept, “And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (II Samuel 12:22-23). In Heaven there is also Recognition. Our recognition of one another will be somewhat different than in this world, however. “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Philippians 3:21). Yes, we will recognize one another, but not in the same manner as we do today. (Read also I Corinthians 15:42-44).
Finally, in Heaven there is a Relationship with God. We will have a Heavenly relationship that will supersede and far surpass any relationships we have ever had with anyone while here on earth (Luke 20:27-38). Our only relationship will be as children to our Heavenly Father and to one another as brothers and sisters in His family!
Over the door of a blacksmith’s shop located along a cobblestone street in Thatcham, England, were the words, “Residence above”. Like this blacksmith, we, too, should strive to work below while at ground level, but to live above. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hebrews 13:14
…for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
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