HEAVEN

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 01 December 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is about heaven. In most respects it’s the thing we know least about. Obviously it’s all the Lord thinks we need to know. But most of us would rather like to be provided with travel brochures all in glorious Technicolor. It’s not going to happen. But it does gives us all an opportunity to be an expert in that which we know nothing about!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 01 December 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	HEAVEN
Some incidents in life are “welded” into memory. Those of us who were alive at the time, can tell you exactly where we were when President Kennedy was assassinated. I was in the Drawing School in my employers offices. Everything seemed to stop. It was as though the incident was frozen in time. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Things have never been quite the same again. The next time there was a similar experience was in July 1969. I was at home watching TV. We had just heard the voice of Neil Armstrong saying, “Tranquillity Base here. The eagle has landed”. Shortly afterwards the TV was receiving pictures relayed from the moon. We could see Armstrong climbing down the steps. Then those famous and unforgettable words, “One short step for a man. One giant leap for mankind”. For me it was a surreal experience. I wasn’t there; probably never would go there. But somehow it came across as if it was something of a personal achievement. Almost as though I was standing there myself. I understand many people experienced something similar. When the three astronauts arrived back in USA, they were bombarded with questions. Everyone wanted to know what it was like walking on the moon! We’d seen Armstrong and Aldrin doing a sort of kangaroo hop as they walked on the moon. Even so, everyone wanted to hear from them exactly what happened and what it was like. There were three men who travelled to the moon back then. Two men walked on it. I’ve always tried to spare a thought for Michael Collins. He remained behind orbiting the moon while the other two were doing their kangaroo hops. He was as much a part of the expedition as the others. But he had to stay behind and watch. So near and yet so far! Another and similar expression would be, “Always the bridesmaid but never the bride!” Most of us look up at the moon occasionally and wonder what it was really like up there on 20th July 1969. All we really know is what we have been told by those who have been there and from video’s taken while men were there. In many ways it’s much the same with our knowledge of heaven. We know Jesus knows all about it. We can only say what we’ve heard. He is the only person we know of who has had personal knowledge of what it is like. Some claim that they have been on a conducted tour with Jesus or an angel. Have they really had such an experience? I can’t say. They claim to have been there. I’ve no reason to believe or disbelieve them. I’d like to think they are being truthful. Some of their comments have been a tad unscriptural. But they may well be sharing with us an aspect of a deeply held belief. There are times when faith and expectations are difficult to distinguish from each other. One thing we all need to remember is that God intends creating new heavens and a new earth. He has also given us a hint of what it will be like. The last two chapters of the Book of Revelation lift the “lid” enough for us to begin to anticipate what is in store. A city big enough to fit into our moon! The men of Apollo 11 didn’t think of that one. Gates of pearl. Foundations of precious stones which “shimmer” in polarised light. Trees which bear fruit 12 times per year and with leaves with healing properties. Yes, it will be magnificent. But for me the crowning glory of heaven will be the undiluted presence of the Living God! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			17 "Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. Isaiah 65:17 NLT 22 "As surely as My new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be My people, with a name that will never disappear," says the LORD. Isaiah 66:22 NLT 13 But we look forward to what God has promised-a new heaven and a new earth-a place where everything that has God's approval lives. 2 Peter 3:13 GW 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:1-5 ESV	What do we know of heaven? There isn’t very much. Lots of speculation and lots is double Dutch! Some say they’ve been taken there and have been shown around. I can’t contradict them. They say it’s what they found. Is it really genuine? We truly cannot say. I trust that they are accurate, or they’ll have led astray, Many trusting Christians, who’d like to know some more, About the truth of heaven and what they’re looking for. There’s problems with our visions, our concepts and our dreams. All of them are filtered through our own religious schemes. We think it should be that way! There’d be a great concern, If it were any other. And so folk quickly learn, Not to make an error in some miniscule detail! Please do not reject it. Admit you too can fail. And though you’ve no intentions of leading folk astray; Perhaps what you have mentioned did not occur that way. But heaven will be wonderful. Far better than we guess. The presence of the Master. His love! His holiness! Perhaps a little sadness about those we do not see? And lots of real thanksgiving the Lord’s admitted me! There’s an existing heaven. But it will pass away. There’s going to be a new one when God decides one day. He says He’ll be creating a new heaven and new earth. And frankly, I can hardly wait to see it come to birth. This earth of ours is plundered, polluted and defaced! It’s been the home of sinners, who’ve utterly disgraced This planet God created. He will incinerate, Anything and everything which we have known to date. Then we’ll see the new one. The one He has prepared. And we will be so thankful the old one wasn’t spared. It will be very different. The sea will disappear. The sun and moon not needed. God’s light constantly near. There’ll be no need for crying; and tears will pass away. There’ll be no more sickness and pain won’t come to stay. Death will be defeated! Swallowed up by life! The bride of Christ assembled will be The Master’s “wife”. For this we are all waiting. But something’s still in store. The Father said He’ll dwell with us until forevermore. He’ll dwell among His people; and by His special grace, We will have the privilege of looking at His face. It will be truly heaven. It’s not just an address. It’s living with the Father in truth and holiness. This is what we’re waiting for. This is His great reward. With Father, Son and Spirit! Forever with the Lord! Jim Strickland  Written 1st December 2012