But, according as it is written, That which the eye did not perceive, and the ear did not hear, and to which the heart of man did not ascend-- whatever God makes ready for those who are loving Him.
I Corinthians 2: 9, Concordant New Testament
It's an iconic scene in cinema. The iconic Joe Jackson gazes at the first baseball field he has seen in years and asks the obvious question...Is this heaven? Turns out it was just a old cornfield in Iowa, or was it? There has been much debate over the years as to the location of our final residence in the company of the Lord. We're told that God has prepared a place for those who believe in Him {1 Corinthians 2:9}. Jesus proclaimed that He was going to prepare a place for us {John 14:2}. Yet there continues to be some debate over that location. Here is my question, why do we even need to know the location? Is it not good enough that we are assured of our place in the presence of God? Are we not satisfied that we are here on this earth but temporarily? The day will come when what the Lord has promised to those who believe in Him will finally be revealed to us. In that day it will matter not what the location of heaven is. All that will matter is that we will be in the midst of the Lord for a long time. The cares and needs of this world will no longer be of concern to us. I long for that day. I've been asked too many times just where I think heaven is. I have no good answer. The fact that very few have seen the other side and lived to tell of it complicates things as well. Sure, there have been documented instances of people coming out of near death experiences to live to tell about what they had seen, but they are not taken too seriously. The 2014 film Heaven Is For Real follows the experience of young Colton Burpo who survives his own near death experience and lives to tell everyone who will listen about the things he saw. One of the most interesting scenes of the film is when young Colton describes the man he came to know as Jesus. It makes sense, that Jesus Himself would be in heaven. But why would others doubt the experiences of this child? Even those who call themselves religious have cast doubt on the few stories of those who report to have seen the "other side."
For we are aware that, if our terrestrial tabernacle house should be demolished, we have a building of God, a house not made by hands, eonian, in the heavens.
2 Corinthians 5: 1, Concordant New Testament
I never used to feel this way. Growing up, one of the questions I asked most of pastors was where is heaven. Not surprisingly, many of these pulpit pounders responded by simply saying that heaven is our eternal reward in the sky. Really? Why is it that we associate heaven with being above us? Is it because of how Jesus was "lifted up" into heaven{Acts 1:9, Luke 24:51}? Are these supposed eye witness accounts accurate, or simply fake news? Well, if you consider that the witnesses of Jesus' day had never before witnessed a man ascending to heaven, wherever that was, you just might get a better understanding of these passages. It is my belief that heaven is simply another dimension adjacent to our own. One which we have yet the eyes to perceive. Of course, one day that veil shall be lifted, our eyes will be opened and we will see heaven for all that it is. In that day we will wonder no longer. Yet, like a kid on Christmas morning, we wait with bated breath for the time when this mystery will be revealed to us. Let us be content that Father has created for us a place where we will be with Him (A place aside from our current earthly home where we also abide with Him).
For our realm is inherent in the heavens, out of which we are awaiting a Saviour also, the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3: 20, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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