My dear readers,

(Extracts from “HEAVEN – a place, a city, a home” by E M Bounds in RPG December 1991, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. WHO CAN TELL US OF HEAVEN? (2 Corinthians 12:1-11)

Paul was caught up into paradise, the third heaven. There he heard unspeakable words, which is not lawful for a man to utter. We believe he also saw the unspeakable glories of Heaven which he was not permitted to disclose. The dying martyr Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, saw heaven open and Jesus standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:55). One glimpse, then sweet sleep transported his soul into the glorious presence.

The mysteries of Heaven are fully revealed only to those who arrive there. On this side of eternity we see only dimly and know only in part. As it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Cor 2:9). No man can tell us the things of Heaven. Many there be who claim to have seen and heard astounding things, following a close encounter with death, or on returning to life after "death". In these fascinating stories we have no confidence.

For us we have a "more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (2 Pet 1:19). Only our Lord Jesus can tell us of Heaven. To Nicodemus He said, "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven" (Jn 3:12,13).

Seek, then, the Son of man Jesus Christ the Lord. Seek Him as you would seek for hidden treasure; seek Him as men seek for the elixir of life; or as scientific researchers diligently seek a "cancer cure". Seek ye Him who alone can tell of heavenly things, for He alone came down from Heaven.

PRAYER: Lord, open my eyes to behold wondrous things out of Thy law.

2. JESUS' TEACHING ON HEAVEN (Matthew 4:17; 5:3-12)

Our Lord came from Heaven to preach the message of Heaven and to draw men to Heaven. From the time He began to preach, His message was, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt 4:17). Heaven does not admit all and sundry. Entry is only by one door and one way: Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Jesus only is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6).

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins with Heaven: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5:3). Only those who turn to God in utter poverty of spirit will gain admittance. Our Lord will fill their spiritual poverty and make them fit for Heaven. In verse 10, He says, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This leads on to verse 11: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matt 5:10-12).

Our Lord leaves us in no doubt. He is not primarily concerned about men's social and material needs. He told His followers in plain terms: Heaven comes first, before anything else. Heaven is the focus of Jesus' teaching and ministry. It is the ultimate goal of discipleship. The righteousness of His followers must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees, if they hope for Heaven and its glories (Matt 5:20).

Reader, do you aspire to Heaven? Come to the Lord Jesus and learn from
Him. Learn to be like Him in character and conduct. "Be ye therefore
perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt 5:48).

THOUGHT: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt 6:33).

3. HEAVEN IS A SECURE PLACE (Hebrews 11:8-16)

Unlike Earth, Heaven is stable, secure, permanent. It is not subject to change and decay. The first Christian Abraham saw it. By faith "he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb 11:10). Heaven is also called "a better country" (Heb 11:16), better than Earth - far, far better! Indeed, there is no comparison.

Earth is "pilgrim country," a desert land, a wilderness through which we must pass. Like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we sojourn here "as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles." Shortly we strike tent and end our earthly day. Then we bid farewell to family and friends, leaving behind the lumber and luggage accumulated along the way. Our time on Earth has passed away. "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come" (Heb 13:14).

Hope then in Heaven, not in Earth! Heaven is for ever, for keeps. It is permanent, God-planned, God-built, God-prepared. Its foundation is stable, as stable as God's throne. This City has dimensions, with appointed metes and bounds. It has a wall to keep out undesirables. "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" (Rev 22:15). Heaven admits only heavenly people.

Heaven's builder is God Himself. There He sits enthroned, in supreme control. His government is absolutely irresistible. Nothing that defiles or disrupts can ever enter in. There the redeemed of God may dwell in safety and security together with our Lord Jesus, who has "all power .... in heaven and in earth" (Matt 28:18). If you hope in Him, He will give you a place in Heaven. Will you?

God bless you, dear readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor