Text: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, Revelation 21:1-7
Have you ever experienced a moment so good, so perfect and pure, that you wanted to freeze time? For me, those moments entail soft sand pressed between my toes, the hot sun hammering down, and the sound of the ocean roaring in the distance.
Maybe for you, heaven here on earth is something else entirely, like watching your little ones sleep, or having the time of your life with close friends, or curling up by the fire with a good book. There are as many versions of paradise in this world as there are people living here. So it’s really no surprise, then, to see a million different renditions of heaven in everything from art and movies, to books and music, and even in our churches.
Grasping the mystery of heaven is a challenge, especially when the things of God are too wonderful for us to understand (1 Corinthians 15:51, Psalm 139:6). Art helps us imagine a place we’ve not yet been. But without even realizing it, our view of heaven can be more informed by imagination and our own desires than the promises of God found in Scripture.
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, and for some believers, this includes a church service where ashes are rubbed across their foreheads in the sign of a cross, while these words are spoken over them: “From dust you came, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). This act is a reminder of our mortality. But, lest you think Lent is a downer, remember this: the ashes are intentionally smeared in the sign of the cross—the promise of our own resurrection with Christ Jesus (Romans 6:5,8).
Easter then becomes a celebration of His empty tomb and victory over death, as well as the pardoning of our sin and an eternal paradise spent with Jesus. But what will that promised eternity look like? The passages we read today give us a glimpse at three promises God makes about the new heaven and the new earth that are to come.
1. We will be changed.
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he emphasizes that we will go from perishable to imperishable, mortal to immortal (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). While Jesus Himself was visibly changed after His resurrection, making it difficult for even His followers to recognize Him at first (John 20:15; Luke 24:13-5), some things remain the same. For instance, the scars a risen Jesus showed a doubting Thomas (John 20:27) indicate that marks of our lives here on earth might somehow exist even after resurrection.
As for our own resurrected bodies, Scripture promises us so much more than an ideal weight, a straighter nose, or shinier hair. We are promised resurrected bodies that will never decay—new bodies suited for new life (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
2. We will be freed.
The apostle John writes that in heaven there will be no death or pain or sorrow (Revelation 21:4). Eternity will be a place where we no longer hurt one another. There will be no more sad goodbyes and no more lists of regret. With no more sickness or hunger, we will be free from the pain that enslaves us here. And in the absence of these burdens, we will be filled with the fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).
3. We will be connected.
John also tells us that God Himself will dwell with us in a way we’ve never experienced before (Revelation 21:3). He’s not just creating a perfect forever home for us—He plans to live there with us. We’ll never have to wonder if He hears our prayers because He’ll be more present in our eternal lives than we can imagine. No more feelings of distance or loneliness. In eternity, we will live in the constant face-to-face presence of our loving Father (Revelation 22:4).
You and I will never completely understand heaven in this life. But God gives us His Word, and we can read it and proclaim with glad hearts: “We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come” (The Nicene Creed). Thanks be to our good God.
Kaitie Stoddard is a professional counselor who recently relocated from Chicago to Colorado with her husband. She has her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is passionate about helping couples and families find healing in their relationships. Jesus dramatically changed her life in high school, giving her a heart for those who don’t yet know the love of Christ. On any given weekend you’re likely to find Katie snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains, checking out new restaurants with friends, or catching up on her favorite Netflix and podcast series.
So much hope in this series! Thank you Lord for preparing a place where You will dwell WITH us!!
C. S. Lewis has really helped me get a grasp on what heaven and the new creation will be like. The image of lazing on clouds playing harps throughout eternity bored me to tears and I knew that that must not be the whole picture. If anyone else has similar trouble in desiring and imagining heaven, I recommend reading Surprised by Joy and the last book of the Narnia series, The Last Battle. Rereading this series as an adult has been just as edifying, if not more so, than when I read them as a child. Further up and further in!!
agree with the last battle!! what an extraordinary look into the kingdom of God!! thank you for your comment…. going to look up the Lewis book now :-)
Love this series so much!!!
I’m reading Heaven by Randy Alcorn. I think Heaven can be summed up in one sentence. Think of earth with no sin. :-)
A friend. Her husband today placed in hospice. Three children. The end on earth is near. So so grateful that Jesus will take him by the hand and welcome him home. And grateful that the family are all believers so they KNOW. They KNOW . They grieve but they KNOW .
And that knowing is the best thing. Gives such peace, even through the pain and grief.
lifting prayers
Joanna, so sorry you are going through this. Will certainly pray for understanding, transparency and justice resulting in reconciliation between you and fellow Christians, or if that does not occur, that your faith would become stronger through it all.
What book would you recommend for help with prayer?
Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney. A really simple yet structured guide to praying along with God’s Word. A short and easy read too!
Eternal victory. I love that not only are we already more than conquerors (Romans 8:31-39), but we can look forward with steadfast hope to an eternal victory.
Following Kaitie’s points: ‘We will be changed’ PERFECTLY. ‘We will be freed’ PERFECTLY. ‘We will be connected’ PERFECTLY. I believe that all of these promises will be fulfilled perfectly, completely, come to full maturation on that jubilant day that we arrive in eternity.
But until then, I believe that we receive glimpses of His abundant goodness, of these promises while we are on this earth. We can be changed – by His love over us daily and share that love with a hurting, unloving world. We can be freed – by His grace and mercy and extend that same grace and mercy to others by giving forgiveness. We can be connected to Him – through our prayers over our lives, over our loved ones, and allow Him to soften our hearts to pray also over our enemies.
I look forward to eternity, but I also know God has me here, on this earth, at this time for a meaningful purpose as part of His perfect plan. I can live a resurrected life – a full life in the Spirit with our risen Christ – right here, right now, where I am. It may not be perfect until eternity, but I can imperfectly celebrate these glimpses of His great love, sharing them with others as we JOYFULLY await His return. I no longer want to waste a moment of this precious, glorious time I’ve been given on this earth. I want to use it intentionally, purposefully, and meaningfully. Because I know where I am going – my eternal destination. And this eternal hope encourages me – all the more – in my desire to know Him intimately, love Him deeply, and bear good fruit for Him abundantly! Praise the Lord for our eternal victory – both now and forevermore.
I love this and wrote part of it in my journal for encouragement. Thank you for sharing!
amen!!!!
Awesome word, Beverly! Thank you for sharing’