1 post tagged “heaven”

Driven by Eternity: Making Your Life Count Today & Forever

John Bevere

I was thinking about an except from the book "Driven by Eternity", where the author describes their interpretation of Heaven.  As I was thinking about that, a picture/thought of heaven came to mind:  In heaven, are all God's people still active in contributing to the society of heaven?  After all, we are citizens of heaven according to the New Testament.  Why would God have his people still actively contributing in Heaven?  Wouldn't everything be 'automatically' taken care of?  Perhaps this assumption is a product of our finite ability to imagine all that God has in store for his Children.  

Part of my previously contrived view of Heaven is God sitting on his throne and simply being there for all of us to adore him and worship him.  My worldly concept of a ruler on his seat of power tends to be of one who has everything else being done for him while he sits like a fat-cat enjoying the pleasures his country can afford him.  So, how does this relate to us all being productive in Heaven while He sits there?  Let me throw this disclaimer out:  these thoughts aren't a attempt to show contempt at an inactive God that makes His people 'work' in Heaven after we'd been given the perception that we'd be in Paradise, because I know Him better than that.  But, what if God isn't JUST sitting there?  

I remember hearing from a friend who heard a preached message from a widely-known pastor (can't remember his name right now) who had actually received a vision of Heaven and had been caught up in the spirit to see Heaven.  One of the things he reported was that he saw the throne of Heaven with God the Father and God the son, Jesus... but not the Holy Spirit.  When he asked "Where's the Holy Spirit?" the answer he received was, "On EARTH of course!"  Of course!  The Holy Spirit is actively at work every moment on behalf of God's Children who were bought by his own Blood through Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross.  Even Jesus is still at work to this day... interceding on our behalf to God the Father.  

So... it would seem to me that if we are in fact destined to be productive contributors in Heaven, then it is consistent with God's character:  Taking the initiative.  He is NOT, nor has He EVER been idle!  He created the earth and the heavens through His own power, and holds it all together for our sake.  Not to mention His involvement with mankind through all these years.  Jesus came and preached a hard message to some hard-headed people, then accepted the betrayal, scorn, sentence, torture, and execution of a criminal (completely undeserved), all for our sake.  The Holy Spirit is actively working on our behalf each and every day and moves in incredible ways, few of which we are even aware of, all for our sake.  The Holy Trinity of God is at all times actively concerned with our well-being.  He gives us the example of being others-minded and being productive for the sake of others.  

God is ALWAYS working.  What case could we ever build that He would sit idle in Heaven and watch us "work in paradise".  And... I would guess that whatever 'work' we have to do in heaven is more fulfilling than any vacation we could ever hope to have here on Earth.  If God takes pleasure in all that He has created, then I'm sure that our contributions will be unimaginably  fulfilling.  Our earthly 'work' could never compare to this reality.  

And here's another thought to tack onto that... most of God's work in the regard of helping Mankind has been a response to the crisis of sin.  He loves us too much to let us perish with no hope of rescue.  But, ultimately It's just an emergency response, like a city's fire department, police department, etc.  In contrast, think of the wonderful things a society produces when they're not having to simply respond to an emergency.  Think of all of our impressive buildings and master-planned parks and natural resource conservation efforts.  Imagine all of the beautiful classical architecture in Europe.  All of those 'works' are for the sake of enriching earthly society.  

Now... imagine what goes on in Heaven for the sake of enriching Heaven!!!  

I'm excited now!