My dear readers,

(Extracts from “HEAVEN – a place, a city, a home” by E M Bounds in RPG March 1992, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. HEAVEN IS FAR BETTER (Philippians 1:21-30)

Who can echo the words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippian Christians: "... to be with Christ; which is far better" (Phil 1:23) but the one in whom the Holy Spirit has planted the heavenly mind. Only he can embrace such a holy desire. Alas! the love of the world and the lust of the flesh are too strong for many a Christian, and Heaven becomes an uncertain distant prospect.

Paul, by the power of the indwelling Spirit, walked daily "on the outskirts of Heaven." The certainty and nearness of Heaven prompted him to say, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom 8:18). For Paul, of course, Heaven was far, far better than his earthly lot of "labours more abundant ... stripes above measure, ... prisons more frequent, ... deaths oft" (2 Cor 11:23). "To be with Christ is far better!" Alas, too many Christians are captivated by the world!

How is the world to you, my friend? On what do you fix your most ardent desire and your highest affection? Worldly Christian, heed God's loving warning: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him ...And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 Jn 2:15,17).

Let not the world and its pleasures rob you of heaven's glory. Abraham was very rich, but his heart was not earth-bound. By faith "he looked for a city ... whose builder and maker is God" (Heb 11:10). He looked away from the earth to Heaven. Let us follow Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in that "they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city" (Heb 11:16). He has prepared for you also a city!

THOUGHT: “Sufferings for Christ are for a moment; Heaven’s glory is for ever.”

2. THE EARNEST OF HEAVEN (2 Corinthians 1:20-22)

"Heaven seems a long, long way away! How can I be sure of getting there?" This is the fear of many a weary pilgrim now struggling under the buffeting of the adversary. Is this your problem, dear reader and child of the Father? God's Word has marvellous help and comfort for you: "For all the promises of God in him (Jesus Christ) are yea, and in him, Amen" (2 Cor 1:20).

When we come in faith to God, He establishes us in Christ, and anoints us (with His Spirit), and seals us, and gives us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (2 Cor 1:21,22). By our own selves we have no assurance of arriving in Heaven; by our strength we shall surely suffer shipwreck along the way. But our wonderful God does not leave us to ourselves. He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, says to us, "Fear not! You have already received the earnest of your inheritance; the final and full payment is never in doubt!"

This is the promise of our sovereign God whose word cannot fail. You can trust Him totally and unreservedly. The gracious Father says to us: "My Spirit, whose working in your heart and life are clearly evident, is your earnest of Heaven!" The Holy Spirit now indwelling, sealing, and daily directing your life, is the pledge and foretaste of Heaven. God put Heaven in us when He put His Spirit in us. Then we begin to strive and yearn for Heaven.

As you look to Heaven, long for Heaven, and work for Heaven, with godly zeal and fervour, realise this: you already have the earnest of the Spirit, God's pledge and foretaste of Heaven. What room is there for fear?

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your blessed Holy Spirit, the earnest of Heaven.

3. WORSHIP IN HEAVEN (Psalm 148; Revelation 5:8-14)

The great service of worship in Heaven will be a new and exalted experience. Nothing on earth, even among the most saintly of God's elect, is quite like it. It is heaven itself that we shall see. It is to worship the one living and true God in His holy and awesome presence physically and literally! What an amazing blessing to look forward to as we worship Him by faith today but tomorrow it will be by sight!

The service of worship in Heaven will be offered up to the Lamb, who alone is worthy to receive it, for He was slain, "and hast redeemed us to God ... out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests ..." (Rev 5:9,10). By laying down His life and shedding His precious blood, God's own Son has gained for us a place in His heavenly Kingdom. Therefore He is worthy.

Our Lord Jesus receives the worship a) from the Church, b) from the angelic hosts, and c) from the whole creation.

a) The Church of the redeemed of God, led by the 24 elders, opens with the doxology, a mighty chorus of praise to Him who took our part, who "being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil 2:8). In supreme worship, they "fell down before the Lamb" to offer the most profound adoration.
b) The Angelic Hosts, attendants to God's throne, and guardians of God's people, join in the worship. Though they needed not a Saviour, yet they rejoice in the salvation of sinners, and together with the church, they lend their voices in adoration of their Lord, and our Lord, whose redemption and victorious death will be our everlasting theme.
c) The whole Creation, no more groaning and travailing in pain, but delivered from the bondage of corruption (Rom 8:21,22), now joins in a mighty chorus of praise to the Lamb, by whose death the whole Creation has been delivered from the curse "into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom 8:21).

Let the redeemed of God worship Him in spirit and in truth.

THOUGHT: Our best in worship is never good enough.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, aid us in every worship.

God bless you dear readers.

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