Heaven
is one of those topics that comes up quite frequently whenever religion and
faith are discussed. We all have varying
ideas of what heaven might be like. We
have different images that may bring us comfort and eager anticipation, or they
may baffle us and evoke more questions.
The
revelation that came to John of Patmos – that is, the holy vision God gave this
man – includes some images of what might be involved in heaven. What is it that “one of the elders” shows
John? Who were these people? What is their reward?
Here is
one of those wonderful images of comfort.
The faithful believers have endured the tribulations and trials of life
and are now in heaven in the presence of God.
They are given their eternal reward – never again to hunger or thirst or
experience any sorrows.
Too
often, however, we hold onto a hope of heaven that is in the far distant
future. Some day, we say, some day we
will receive our great reward. But
whether your idea of heaven is white mansions and streets of gold, clouds
peopled with angels strumming harps, or an ethereal light filled with joy I
believe we do not need to wait.
Those
presented to John were the people who had washed their robes and purified them
in the blood of the Lamb. They serve the
Lord day and night. As a reward God
spread His tent over them, protected them, and gave them comfort.
If we
as believers can wash our robes, if we can get rid of our tendency to sinning;
if we can purify ourselves through the blood of the Lamb, if we can accept
Jesus as our Savior; if we can serve God day and night, won’t we receive the
same reward in our present life? If we
can strive to be holy and draw near to God in our thinking and actions and in
faith then God will spread His tent over us.
Although
we may be surrounded by the hardships of life God will be there to give us
comfort. He will watch over us and
protect us. We will have springs of
living water, not just in heaven, but the living water of Christ’s presence and
comfort in our world today.
Although
we may still go through times of sorrow and hurt God will be with us to wipe
away the tears if we will learn to trust that He is with us in all things.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Where do you need God’s comfort today?
