Do you long for heaven? If not, it’s probably because either 1) your desires are skewed or 2) your knowledge is inaccurate. Here are three myths about heaven that bug me:
1. It will be boring. This is a strange notion. Is earth boring? Are the sites and smells and activities of earth boring? And as I read the Bible, it took God 6 days to make this earth and he’s been working on heaven now for about 2000 years (John 14:1-3). I don’t think God knows the meaning of the word. Hell, by contrast, will be boring.
2. We will play harps. The problem with this idea is that the Bible never says it. It mentions elders with harps, not the church. The mention of the harps is during the tribulation period, not the millennial kingdom nor the eternal state. And they’re never said to play the harps. Other than that, I don’t have any problems with the idea.
3. Heaven will be made of all gold. I doubt it. All one color would be boring. And John describes heaven as being built of jasper, sapphire, calcedony, emerald, sardonyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, amethyst, and pearls. One other reflection that the glory of earth will pale in comparison to the glory of heaven: the sun will be ashamed (Isa 24:23).
“The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams. But God is the ocean” (Jonathan Edwards).
Thank you for the poignant reminder. Amen, Come Lord Jesus!
4. We will become omniscient.
You get points for quoting Edwards!
A pastor scholar I greatly admire, Dr. Earl Palmer at University Presbyterian, Seattle, is convinced that we have have jobs in heaven and that we will use our gifts there.
He jokes that even if you’re 75, go ahead and learn to play the trombone…you can play it in heaven.
I’m also very fond of Luther’s idea that there will be dogs in heaven.
Fantastic! Hope chapel went well…I”m assuming that this post was as a result of it?
ANywho…thanx for your comment on mine…I’d heard of the Alcorn books re: heaven and with your recommendation, I’m all over them! Thanx.
Also, has anyone mentioned that your site is taking forever to load, if at all? Maybe it’s on my end, but it’s only happening with your blog…which bums me out since yours is one of the only ones I check daily.
Grace & peace…if not on earth, then in heaven! :)
Thanks Todd! I love the insight and the humor, esp. number 1!
I too have noticed that your blog takes a long time to load. I have to click on it and then click refresh in order for it to pop up.
Jonathan – I completely agree, but am unsure how to support it except from inference and logic.
Others – sorry about the problems. I kinda knew it but ignored it because it was easiest and it’s been quite busy. I’ll see if I can find out what’s wrong.
Thanks, Todd! I always enjoy your reminders to think about what is really important. I was especially thinking about heaven earlier this week and looked up my notes from your heaven chapel at Masada. I wish I could always be as focused on the things of the Lord. The constant reminders from the Word and from friends and teachers always helps. Thank you!
By the way, I haven’t been able to even comment on your site or see it lately because of the slow-loading issue. I thought it was just my computer, but I’m not so sure.
Tell your family I said hi. I hope everyone is doing great.
Thanks for this post, Todd. It reminds me of a quote by Amy Carmichael I read this summer: “We are nearer the Crowning Day this morning than ever we were before.” Praise the Lord for that!
–Heather Donckels :o)
Wow, it’s good to be reminded of heaven and how awesome it will be, thank you Todd
All believers who I know say each year they live they long for heaven that much more.