Longing for Heaven

How important is it to contemplate heaven while we live on this earth? It is imperative because it is a real place that will be our eternal home. John has given us a marvelous description of heaven in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

John’s description of heaven says we will be his people, and God will dwell with us. That is a powerful thought as we live fully with God as his people. Secondly, John states there will be no more tears because God will finally wipe every tear from our eyes. We all see sadness every day. There is sadness from sickness, death, broken relationships, financial hardship, sorrow in disappointment, and sadness from injustice. No more tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires, or floods in heaven. The temperature will be just right. Only God can do that! Lastly, notice that phrase that there will no longer be any sea.

David McCloud shares some thoughts about John’s phrase, “No longer any sea.” Consider for a moment why the ocean exists. Over 70 percent of our earth’s surface is covered with salt water. Why does our planet Earth need such a massive covering of salt water? The answer is to cleanse the earth. The sea might be described as God’s great antiseptic solution. The salty brine of the sea cleanses and preserves our planet, making it fit to live in. Many pollutants and waste humans produce are washed out of the soil and into the streams and rivers. The rivers carry these materials into the sea, and the antiseptic solidity of the sea absorbs, scrubs, and breaks down these pollutants and waste. The sun heats the sea, causing only pure, clean water vapor to float into the sky, forming clouds that bring refreshing rain back to the land, a continual cycle of cleansing and renewal. But in the new earth, there will be no more pollution, decay, or need for cleansing, and thus no need for a salty sea. This present order of things will end, and nothing more powerfully communicates the idea than the assertion that there is no longer sea.

Evidence of his handiwork is evident in every phase of creation. We are now living in the end times, and the day of Christ’s appearing is at hand. Our hearts long for heaven!