Heaven is a Wonderful Place

Throughout the years of my ministry many people have asked me what heaven is like.  Those who are sick or dying are particularly interested as they prepare for their future.  I have often found myself short of words when people have asked this question.  I talk about how we only see things vaguely or dimly and go on to assure them that it will be a glorious place.  I laughed as I looked for a picture today that depicts the New Jerusalem and couldn't find anything more natural than the picture that is posted here.  We have a hard time relating the spiritual to the material world.  Perhaps that is why the concept of a feast is so well received.  We have all experienced one and so when the scripture speaks of a great feast in heaven we nod our heads and figure that we get it.  Let's talk a little bit more about this feast.  It is called the wedding banquet of the Lamb.  And let's relate that to the words found in the book of Revelation: " I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple."  The temple in Jerusalem was built as a house for the Ark of the Covenant which was the very dwelling place of God in the midst of the people.  But now in the New Jerusalem this temple will not be needed because the Father and Jesus will simply be there amongst us.  This union of God with his people is referred to as a marriage.  I want to think back to the days when I was courting my wife Cathy.  I was badly smitten.  I did not ever want to be out of her presence.  Going home to my apartment at night was painful; having to go to work was painful; spending time apart for any reason was painful.  I wanted to be with her all the time.  One of the great things about getting married was being able to be with her more of the time.  And so it is with our Lord Jesus.  As we come to love him more we want to be with him more and more and yet we find the daily routines of life take us away from recognizing his presence. But this wedding feast that is described is the beginning of being in his presence all the time.  WOW!  What a glorious day that will be.