Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2 NASB). The NLT translation says, Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. It’s very good to think about heaven; as the world gets darker and more evil, it’s empowering to think about our final destination of heaven.
Where we spend eternity—heaven, if we are believers in Christ—is an eternal location. It will go on forever and ever. We will enjoy conversations with the Lord, those who have died in Christ, Old Testament saints, angelic beings, etc. As we heed the teaching and instruction of the Bible while on earth and become more mature, equipped Christians, we will grow into a level of maturity like Christ’s while we enjoy eternity with Him in heaven. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:9 NLT).
In contrast, Never-Never Land, from the play Peter Pan, was an imaginary place where everything was pleasant and perfect, and one never had to leave his childhood and grow up. Eternal childishness and immaturity were tolerated and encouraged. Fun for a while, but eternity, not so much. Think how annoying a loud, boisterous kid would be for eternity! Or how embarrassing to be in discussion with Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, when all you could contribute was God helps those who help themselves. (That phrase, by the way, isn’t even in the Bible.) Growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord is a crucial aspect of maturity.
Along with streets of gold, the river of life, and gates of pearl (Revelation 21:21), in heaven, we will enjoy the mansions the Lord is preparing for us. Jesus said, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2 NLT). According to 1 Corinthians 2:9, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. The glorious Ever-Ever Land that awaits us will be beyond our wildest imaginings!
What will heaven be like? J. Dwight Pentecost, in his book Things to Come, says that life in the Eternal City will be:
A life of fellowship with the Lord (1 Corinthians 13:12)
A life of rest (Revelation 14:13)
A life of full knowledge (1 Corinthians 13:12)
A life of holiness (Revelation 21:27)
A life of joy (Revelation 21:4)
A life of service (Revelation 22:3)
A life of abundance (Revelation 21:6)
A life of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17)
A life of worship (Revelation 7:9-12)
It’s going to be a fantabulous life in Ever-Ever Land, so set your mind on things above, dig into the Word, and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord!
© 2022, Chris Werre