Do you have a “heavenly place”? What or who makes up your particular heavenly place?
Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus about heavenly places. Four times he used that phrase; twice to designate the promised realm and twice to describe blessings of spiritual power for the believer. It is both a promise for the future and blessings to enjoy here and now.
Then there are not so heavenly places. Without going into a debate or discussion of the theological properties of it; hell is real in this life and the next. It is known and lived through circumstances. We face sickness and disease, loss and grief, pain and suffering in this life. Mother Nature can display wonders of beauty and awe, but can turn to destruction and disaster in storms, eruptions and earthquakes. There is no mercy in nature.
It’s been said that this world is as close to hell the believer in Jesus will get and as close to heaven the unbeliever will be.
Jesus dealt with a lot of situations that people suffered. From hunger to hurting hearts, disease to death, disaster to demons; he worked his will in these dilemmas again and again. Families restored, faults forgiven, blind given sight, lame walked; he did amazing miracles through his grace. How many “heavenly places” were established and enjoyed by his ministry? Redemptive work is yet taking place by faith in Jesus Christ.
My heavenly places include being married to Alicia for five decades. We are in our 50th year of love and romance together. We have enjoyed tender times and have gone through tough times. We’re going to keep on going because it’s a heavenly place.
Family is my heavenly place. Our three sons are our champions. Together with their wives they have given us nine grandchildren. Having family around is a fine feeling. The Bible says, “God sets the solitary in families.” This is true for biological families and church families.
Friends help make my heavenly places. The proofreader didn’t catch the typo; “fiends” instead of friends. I’m thankful for friends who help defend me from fiends. I benefit from the love and loyalty of my friends.
I saw a T-shirt that had this list; Faith, Family, Friends, Flag, and Firearms. The last line read, “5 things you don’t mess with.”
Concerning the return of the Lord Jesus to this world in a physical manifestation, the scoffers say it’s been told for generations. They claim that “all things continue as they were” with no changes. They ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?”
Jesus will come back for his church as he promised. He is preparing a place for people who are preparing themselves to be with him. He said, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also.” He bookended that promise with these encouraging words, “Let not your heart be troubled.”
There is a heavenly place that is real and not just figurative. The description of it in the last few chapters of Revelation is amazing. Enjoying that place for eternity will be worth every step of obedience and faith in Jesus Christ that you take.
Mitch Glover is pastor of Sterling Pentecostal Church. Sunday services include Bible classes for all ages at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Bible study is Thursday at 7 p.m. Visit the services and sterlingpentecostalchurch.com.
