Sermon Devotional: The Hope of Heaven

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV)


The apostle John, who is the author of both the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation, wants his readers to be so heavenly minded that they are earthly good. And in this, as in many other commitments, he follows the teachings of Jesus.

Early in the week that would culminate with Jesus’ crucifixion, and resurrection, Jesus unsettled Peter and the other disciples by telling them that he was going somewhere and that they would not “now” be able to follow (Jn 13:36). But having unsettled them he then said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (14:1-2). The “now” that applied to Jesus’s words about following him applies also to his words of encouragement and comfort, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” His words about the future provided perspective and hope for his followers in the present. And that perspective and hope centered not on the architecture of the house or the comforts of its furnishings but Who is there.

This house is Jesus’s and his Father’s house. And because of God’s love and grace, it is the ultimate and everlasting “dwelling place” (14:2) of all those who believe in, who entrust themselves, to Jesus and the Father. In fact, Jesus Himself will take us—indeed, Jesus is the only one who can take us (14:6)—into this place so that where he is we will be also (14:3).

John was granted another vision of our eternal destiny—entirely congruent with his description in John 14—presented to us in the book of Revelation. If his description in John 14 can be likened to the view through a telephoto, narrowly focused camera lens, his vision in Revelation 21 can be likened to the view through a wide-angle lens. This vision is nothing less than the vision of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21:1).

Here again, God Himself is the center of attention. “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them” (21:3). Note that God will not merely be present—He will be intimately dwelling with His people. The apostle Paul testifies that we will be “face to face” (1 Cor 13:12). God will not merely be present, but “will wipe every tear from their eyes” (21:4). Because God will not merely be present but powerfully and lovingly active, “Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more” (21:4). Hallelujah!

If some or all of this is difficult to envision now, that is okay, indeed it is to be expected. These are only glimpses ahead into the “new heaven and new earth.” This new heaven and new earth are not new in the sense of replacement. They are new because they are being redeemed by God. This is new in the same way that Jesus’s resurrected body was new. The body that went into the tomb is the same body that walked out of the tomb. Yet, it was new, it was different in that it was supernaturally transformed. So too, we will be transformed, our way of living will be transformed, our very life with God will be transformed!

Consider –
╬   This side of eternity, we have only glimpses of our heavenly home. But we are invited to reflect upon these glimpses of heaven with curiosity. Ask God the Spirit to lead you into a greater imagination of what we’ve been shown thus far. What does heavenly worship of God the Father and Christ the Lamb look like? How will the redeemed experience having our tears wiped away? Will it really be safe to be face-to-face with the Living God who dwells with us?

╬   Are you looking forward to heaven? Many answer, “Yes, come quickly, Jesus!” Others may not be so eager for Christ to come quite yet. There may be earthly pleasures and purposes that you want to engage. There may be fears and resistance, doubts and confusion, that keep you from relishing the idea of being eternally with the Lord.  Reflect on the answer to the question. Invite Jesus to help you see sweet glimpses of the hope and surety that he has declared to be true.

╬   Lord, thank you for these sacred glimpses of heaven. We confess that in our finitude, we find it hard to take these in. In your love and mercy, increase our imagination for heaven. Lead us into a deepening hope of heaven. Open our hearts and minds to receive your promises. It is in Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.