Do you ever wonder what Heaven will be like? I do.

‍

I think as we get older, we have dear ones who pass on, or, as our own health situations change, our curiosities or the ways we think of eternity shifts. We move closer to Heaven, and it becomes more real. It’s no longer an abstract “streets of gold” kind of place. It’s wondering what will happen to loved ones; it’s the unknown in many ways, and yet it becomes longed for. After all, it truly is our home. Not just a place, but acceptance, perfect love, final surrender, rest. After all the struggles with ourselves here – sin, health, relationships – the perfect rest of home calls us, a home prepared by someone who loves us perfectly.

‍

Although our verse today doesn't take place in Heaven, the fulfillment of it will (Rev. 5:13). Go ahead and take a moment to look that up now.

‍

What do you think the sounds of all creatures in Heaven, on Earth, and under the earth will sound like? What will your voice sound like joined together with all of these to proclaim the truth of who Jesus is? Revelation takes this moment a step further and rounds out the fullness of the scene; we are all singing together! Wow! Elders, beings we can’t imagine, and myriads upon myriads of angels, all singing a new song with our voices mixed in! Can you see it? No hunger, no thirst, no scorching heat, and in a strange turn of events, a lamb will be our shepherd, leading us to “springs of living water.” Every tear will be wiped from our eyes (Rev. 7).

‍

Do you spend time in wonder, looking forward to what Jesus has prepared for you? While our home is being planned in Heaven, are you and I so focused on nesting here that we’ve forgotten to be excited about our REAL home? Are we listening to what the Scriptures are saying, or have we heard it so many times that the news has lost its mystery? I know the days are busy and life is full, but what’s the point of it all if we aren’t looking toward the end goal: Being with Jesus forever and giving God glory with every nation tribe and tongue.

‍

Why is this important, remembering this final destination? Well, a couple of reasons come to my mind. First, it reminds us that the struggles of this world are temporary. We can easily lose sight of this fact while we fill up our schedules and deal with conflicts on a daily, or what feels like minute-by-minute, basis. Your struggle will end, my struggle will end, and we have an eternity of peace and joy awaiting us!

‍

Second, with the remembrance of this reality, we have new awareness that not everyone has secured their eternity with God and the Lamb in Heaven. This realization should change us, change our focus. Am I so caught up in my life that I’ve forgotten to share the inevitable course of every human life with those around me? Have I told my neighbor about Jesus? Have I rejoiced with them over Heaven? Can we add their voices to the choir?

Let’s all make a commitment today that we will live in light of eternity. Let’s stop taking our breaths for granted and put them to good use. You and I can spend our days for the purpose of today or for the purposes of eternity. Which of these choices will yield souls for the Kingdom? And which one will ultimately lead to the life we really want?

‍

Precious Lamb, thank you for the work you did on the cross to make the way to God’s presence possible. Thank you for the work you continue to do in mediation for the world and building our homes in Heaven. Help us all to make this reality personal, reflecting on it daily and to not keep it to ourselves, but to share the love you filled us with.  

‍

What you have planned for us is truly awesome and immeasurably wonderful; we can’t even imagine what you have in store for us, our minds can’t comprehend it (1 Cor. 2:9). But please remind us to ponder it each day in awe and wonder, thinking of the One who must love us so incomprehensibly that he sent his Son to die so that we can be together forever, singing with the myriads.