HEAVEN: ARE YOU
PREPARED?
Memorise: Man that is born of a woman is of few
days, and full of trouble. Job
14:1
Read: 2nd
Timothy 4:6-8, 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my
departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I
have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Bible in one year: Luke 19:28-21:24, Job
28:7-19
In the Bible, the word
‘Heaven’ is often used in three ways: to described a physical part of the
universe which is above the sky, the prevailing condition whenever God reigns
in the affairs of men, and the invisible dwelling place of God, also known as
paradise. Today’s devotional focuses on the need to prepare for heaven, the
dwelling place of God, and what such a preparation entails. First, the Bible
presents heaven as the dwelling place of God, where His manifest presence is a
permanent feature, as He is the only source of light there. Because of the
constant presence of God in heaven, it is a place of extreme joy and peace.
Heaven is also a place of recognition, reward, celebration, and total rest from
trouble. Holiness is the only acceptable currency in heaven.
Several passages of
the Bible stress life’s mystery and brevity using two vivid metaphors of “a
fading flower or withering grass” and “a swiftly passing shadow”. That life
offers little joy, peace and satisfaction is well known even to children. Also,
all human beings are familiar with the progressive labour, pain, insecurity,
sorrow, and disappointments that we all have to endure as long as we are alive.
Furthermore, the concepts of death and the afterlife presented in the Bible
reveals the God had purposely packaged heaven as the final destination for all
humans that pass the entrance examination. John 14:2-3 says:
“In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not
so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that
where I am, there ye may be also.”
This is an expression
of God’s love and mercy to all human beings.
Out of this everlasting love, the Almighty God has convincingly and
systematically revealed His eternal plans and purposes to humanity, about how
we are created to start our lives here on earth for the singular purpose of
doing the perfect will of God. This is to enable us live our lives in ways that
honour God in all things, for the ultimate goal of spending eternity with Him
in heaven. Therefore, the above passage makes it very clear that heaven is
being specially prepared only for those who are prepared to do whatever it
takes to enter. I therefore pray that God will help our preparations and
graciously admit us into heaven in Jesus’ name.
Now, Matthew 19:23
says that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven, not because
riches and wealth are evil, nor because heaven was made only for the poor, but
because the typical characteristics of affluent people are contrary to the will
of God. Such behaviours include pride and confidence in human wisdom, fame,
achievements, money, and power. Another found with these will not enter into
heaven. The truth is; Jesus extends the promise of heaven to all who come to
Him by faith without classifications such as financial status, gender, age,
culture or nationality. Matthew 18:3 says except a person is converted and
becomes a little child in faith, total submission and obedience to the will of
God, he or she will not enter into heaven. Finally, Matthew 7:21 says, not all
churchgoers will be admitted into heaven, but only those that operate in the
will of God. The big question is, are you prepared for heaven?
Action Point
Father, please whatever will make me miss
heaven; take it out of my life in Jesus’ name.
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