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 WORTH THE SUFFERING (Romans 8:18-39)

The child of God sees with eyes of faith; the worlding with eyes of flesh: the same scene presents very different pictures. The child of God sees beyond the visible present, with its problems; the other dwells only in the troubled present. The ravages of infirmity and old age signal the nearness of Heaven to God's people. They are able to say with the Apostle Paul, "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16).

Unlike the man of the world, we rise above adversity because of the hope of Heaven. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:17,18).

The Christian's life has its "rough patches". Our Lord gave timely forewarning to the disciples, and us, with these words: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). But our destination is beyond, in the place which earth's tribulation cannot reach. Heaven's glory is beyond the ravages of earth's corruptions. Dear reader, where is your hope? Is it centred here on earth, or beyond?

"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). One day, soon, the Lord shall deliver us from the "bondage of corruption" and the groaning and travailing in pain, into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Are you so persuaded? Read verses 38 and 39. As a child of God, be persuaded that nothing can separate you from the love of God, and the hope of Heaven. Therefore, hope in God and wait patiently for Heaven.

It is worth waiting for!

PRAYER: Lord, give me more patience and perseverance.

2. MAKE HEAVEN YOUR SAFE HAVEN (Matthew 6:19-34)

Wisdom demands that we "lay up" for the future. But before committing one's great wealth or modest savings, wisdom also counsels that we find a "safe haven". Thousands of Australians lost billions of dollars when their investments evaporated with the collapse of the Pyramid Building Society in 1990. No investments on earth are entirely free from loss. Our Lord warned against moth, rust, and thieves; the same note of caution would apply to inflation, recession, devaluation, and business failures.

We need heavenly wisdom and far-sightedness which go beyond earth. The child of God is a citizen of Heaven. This world is our temporary abode, only a "tabernacle". Soon our travelling days will be over, when God will call us Home. The Christian who has ploughed and planted only on earth will arrive in Heaven empty handed. Heaven's Bank will show an empty or paltry account to his name. Our Lord says, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt 6:19-21). Be not like the rich fool who provided everything for this life and its enjoyments, but nothing for Heaven. One day he will lose all, including his soul, and what a loss it will be. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God" (Lk 12:21), says our Lord.

Pray, then, for heavenly wisdom. "But Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things (for your needful material comfort and physical sustenance) shall be added unto you" (Matt 6:33). Beyond these necessities, be wise: invest in Heaven by your holy living, tithes, love gifts, and offerings to God the Giver.

THOUGHT: Will you make Heaven your safe haven?

3. HEAVEN IS A HAPPY STATE TODAY (Philippians 4:1-3)

Heaven is a place. Before He returned to Heaven, our Lord left us a promise: "I go to prepare a place for you. And ... I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (Jn 14:2,3). We rest on His infallible Word, "always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord" (2 Cor 5:6).

Heaven is also a state. The forgiven sinner, called out of darkness into God's marvellous light (1 Pet 2:9), experiences "Heaven in the soul" – such is the blessedness of union with Christ. Charles Butler's hymn makes the point:

Since Christ my soul from sin set free,
This world has been a Heav'n to me;
And mid earth's sorrows and its woe,
'Tis Heav'n my Jesus here to know

O hallelujah, yes 'tis Heav'n,
'Tis Heav'n to know my sins forgiv'n;
On land or sea, what matters where?
Where Jesus is, 'tis Heaven there.

Paul the Apostle, more than any other Christian, experienced "Heaven on earth" under any and all circumstances. How do we explain this? Answer: the Lord Jesus was with him, filling his life with joy every moment of every day. Else how could he and Silas, beaten and bruised with many stripes, break forth with song at midnight in the Philippian jail? (Phil 4:4)? Later, in Rome, not even the shadow of Nero's sword hanging over him could rob him of Heaven's peace and surety. "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him" (2 Cor 5:9).

With Heaven in his heart, Paul looked his captors in the face.

THOUGHT: "A little faith brings the soul to Heaven; Great faith brings Heaven to the soul."

God bless you, dear readers.
Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor