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. HEAVEN IS THE PARADISE OF GOD (Revelation 2:1-7)

Today the glory and mystery of paradise remains hidden to human gaze. Only the apostle Paul was allowed a glimpse when he was caught up to the third heaven. In paradise he heard "unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter" (2 Cor 12:4). But that fleeting visit to God's House was sufficient consolation to ease his earthly burdens. Nevertheless for him and every true saint of God "to be with Christ ... is far better" (Phil 1:23). I long for Heaven daily, don't you?

Paradise is Heaven, a place of eminent distinction and unsurpassed beauty - the abode of God and the holy angels, and the place where our Lord Jesus was returning to, as He spoke His last words on the cross. While the mob jeered at the Son of God, hanging in agony between two thieves, "one of the malefactors ... railed on him saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us" (Lk 23:39).

But the other thief rebuked him, and said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy -kingdom" (Lk 23:42). In his dying moments, this man found repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and put his hope in the Saviour. By a look of faith he found grace in the sight of God, and Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Lk 23:43). Amazing salvation!

Paradise admits all who come to God by faith in Jesus Christ the Son. Robbers and thieves, sinners of foulest stain, find pardon and forgiveness in the soul-cleansing blood of Calvary's Lamb. Come, then, every sin-oppressed sinner: be washed and made fit for Paradise. By faith in Jesus you too may enter – today!

THOUGHT: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us ..." (Titus 3:5).

2. HEAVEN IS A CITY (Revelation 21:1-11)

"If contentment were here, heaven were not heaven. I wonder that ever a child of God should have a sad heart, considering what his Lord is preparing for him. I know not a thing worth buying but heaven." - Samuel Rutherford

John the Apostle saw the holy City, new Jerusalem, designed by God and built by God. Only God's people will be allowed in. Why should this be? Because only those who have received the heavenly life from God will be able to live there. Only those who have been washed and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb may enter in.

"There is a City bright,
Closed are its gates to sin;
Naught that defileth,
Naught that defileth,
Can ever enter in'

"Saviour, I come to Thee!
O Lamb of God I pray,
Cleanse me and save me,
Cleanse me and save me,
Wash all my sins away."
- Mary Ann Deck (1813 - 1902)

In God's City, He will dwell with the redeemed. They shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. In God's city, the sorrows and corruptions of earth shall be no more: for the former things are passed away. But the unbelievers, and the Christ-rejecters, and unrepentant sinners, shall be cast into the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (Rev 20:15).

THOUGHT: God's City will be pure unending delight. PRAYER: Lord, equip me for life in the City

3. HEAVEN IS A CONTINUING CITY (Hebrews 13:1-15)

A city is a symbol of communal life with its joys, perfections and fulfilments. Families and societies of people dwell together in goodwill, harmony, fellowship, and love. Above all the ideal city is blessed with peace and prosperity. Does such a city exist on earth? Sadly, the answer is no. Nothing endures on earth since the curse fell in Eden's garden (Gen 3). The only thing that endures is "change and decay". The happiest of family relationships, the best of youthful health and vigour, the peace and prosperity of the ideal country – all these, sooner or later, like all good things – come to an end. Earth's fairest flowers fade away, its brightest blooms wither in all too short a day. Why then do you hope in earth?

Earth under curse cannot satisfy man's deepest desires. No matter what he does, no matter where he goes, his steps are pursued by change and decay, disease and death. Should he be blessed with long life of "fourscore years" his experience is merely one of "labour and sorrow" (Ps 90:10). Wisdom therefore demands that we look beyond earth for the ultimate and lasting satisfaction. To pin one's hopes and aspirations on earth is sheer folly. Like faithful Abraham, then, see ourselves as "strangers and pilgrims" dwelling in tabernacles as in a strange country (Heb 11:9-16). "For he looked for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb 11:10). Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. The spiritual song says: "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through." How true!

Heaven is different. Heaven has foundations; it is designed and built by God, prepared for those who trust in His Son. It is a continuing city, "incorruptible ... undefiled ... and fadeth not away."

THOUGHT: In Heaven "all good things continue" – for ever.
QUESTION: Will you be there?

God bless all readers.

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