2026-08-07
Good morning, Dear Ones,
Last week, the Holy Spirit commanded me to write about the question: What is heaven like? Having run out of room to share all we are given in the Scriptures, I must continue this week. Of course, no one has gone to heaven and come back to report on what it’s like, so we are forced to rely on what the Lord has told us in the Bible. Believe me, that’s plenty!
John has told us, in JN 14: 2-3, that “My Father’s house has many rooms, if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” This tells us that a permanent home in heaven awaits those who are obediently faithful. Because nothing escapes the Lord’s eyes, we can be sure of this eternal home [HE 4: 13]. God knows the heart attitude we each have. REV 22: 1-5 describes this heavenly home. “Then the angel showed me [John] the river of the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will no longer be night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.”
This gives me the hope that there will be no need for wars, because the Lord’s spoken desire that all of us will be unified in our spiritual and eternal lives. His desire spoken in EPH 4: 3-6 will have been made real. We will never grow hungry or tired as we do now. No drugs, lies, or other evil will be anywhere in heaven. God’s light will surround us and fill us. Throughout the Bible, people were in God’s presence were told to keep their distance. There are several examples, like when Moses who needed to hide in the “cleft of a rock” [EX 33: 22], his face shown with the reflection of God’s light, frightening the Jews when he came down from the mountain [EX 34: 29-30]; Uzziah was told not to touch the Ark of the Covenant [2 SAM 6: 6-7; 1 CH 13: 9-10], or the Kohathites were not to touch holy things or they will die [NU 4: 15]. However, in heaven, no such danger exists.
The next issue that comes up is what will people do in heaven. A poignant interchange between John and an angel gives us the answer. REV 22: 8-9, “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down in worship at the feet of the angels who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” Of course, there are many ways to do that, and when we are there at last, it will be made clear which way we should do that. I remember keenly that the word “minister” means “servant.”
John was told not “to seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll because the time is near” [REV 22: 10]. In other words, we are to be told what is in these chapters of REV, so that we might understand God keeps His promises. As for the time being near, I’m led to remind us all of the parable of the 10 virgins [MT 25: 1-13], the message of which is that we should keep watch for the second coming of the Bridegroom [Jesus Christ]. Jesus explained to His disciples and us that no one, except the Father knows the exact time [MT 24: 36]. God is described as the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. The promise made in PS 94: 23, PS 7: 9, MAL 4: 1, 1 JN 3: 8, COL 2: 15, and REV 20: 10 that evil will end forever. And what about those martyrs left under God’s throne? [REV 6: 9-11]. They were told that when all of those to be martyred are there, the white robes given will cleanse them and their place in God’s presence will be restored to them.
PRAYER: Dearest Father, with evil gone forever in heaven, Your Son is described as “the Root and Offspring of David,” “the bright Morning Star” [REV 22: 16b]. That promise made so long ago that a Descendant of David would sit on the throne forever [2 SAM 7: 13-14; 1 CH 17:11-12], will be kept. Our Lord Jesus didn’t give His physical life on the cross in vain [JN 3: 16]. You have invited everyone to avoid the pitfalls of evildoing and accept Him as our Savior. Those foolish enough to reject this invitation must suffer the consequences --being thrown into the Lake of Fire, which is spiritual death-will not be allowed to gain eternal life. We pledge You our loyalty, open-hearted and obedient faith, and offer you utmost praise and thanksgiving for Your presence in our lives. This prayer is said in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: Having finished this subseries on heaven, the Holy Spirit commands me to write about kindness and goodness next week. Learning about heaven should motivate each of us to want to practice kindness and goodness -two of those gifts of the Holy Spirit found in GA 5: 22-23. We are given some warnings at the end of REV 22 that certainly should be mentioned here. We are not to add or subtract from what is written in the Scriptures, as that would be false teaching. Let me end with the Aramaic word, “Maranatha!” [1 COR 16: 22] It is our plea that the Lord Jesus will come soon. Praise and thanksgiving be to Him!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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