By: Larry Young
We need to take the time and effort preparing ourselves and others for Christ's soon return. However, Paul reflects on this in 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable”. That comment is fascinating, because all our preparations here are not for here at all, but for what comes next: Heaven. There are already at least four men from earth who are in Heaven right now: Jesus himself, Enoch, Elijah, and Moses. If you ever get discouraged because of the mess we are in down here, Jesus answers
the thoughts of Paul’s heart: “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven”. (Matthew 5:12).
When Christ returns here to reclaim us, it will certainly be exciting to be translated or resurrected and then be lifted up off the earth to meet Jesus with His angels in the air. There’s also the trip across the universe to Heaven itself, and includes the joyous reunion with family and friends, and a great banquet and celebrations with Jesus. Those first thousand years will be joyous, but it will also include the work of reviewing the records of the lost, confirming Jesus’ just and merciful judgment for each person, and to finally understand why the lost would be absolutely miserable and out of place if subjected to eternity in God’s loving sinless Heaven.
Then there is the executive judgment, heralded by the return of the heavenly city to earth, and Satan’s final desperate attempt to urge the lost to overthrow the heavenly city. You will be there in that great city, safe from any harm, but the wicked and Satan with his demons… and sin and death will be cast into the lake of fire, to be reduced to ashes for eternity. Then the prophecy in Malachi 4:3 will be fulfilled: “You will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I am preparing,” says the Lord of Armies.”
Then the earth made new will be revealed, and we will see it in its original incredible beauty. Isaiah 65: 17-18, 21-22: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;” “They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of my people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.”
You will be able to transit across the universe instantly and visit other planets and civilizations and friends and family at will. The explosion of modern technologies we see today will appear ancient and uncivilized compared to what we will be able to see and do and experience in Heaven. Take another look at the Mt. Transfiguration story in Matthew17:23, Mark 9: 2-8, and Luke 9: 28-36. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with Him up the mountain and is transfigured right in front of them: “As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him (Jesus), who were Moses and Elijah.” Right there and then, God the Father also personally arrives hidden by a cloud and speaks: “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” This event not only documents a physical meeting of the Godhead, it also documents that Moses and Elijah were already citizens of Heaven and that they could appear and disappear and transit across the universe instantly.
This same God who guides Arcturus (the biggest and brightest star in the Great Bear constellation that never “sets” (in Job 9: 9 and 38: 32), is the same caring God who is guiding you and will save those who love and trust in Him. 1 Corinthians 2: 9 summarizes “Heaven or Bust” perfectly: “No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has in store for those that love Him.” Amen and Amen.