Heaven will be a fun place--but more!

In my reading, all of Scripture has a very definite focus. First comes Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for humanity. Everything in the Old and New Testament revolves around the goodness of God in giving His only Son for the salvation of mankind. (See John 3:16.)

The second focus throughout Scripture is that there is a bright and glorious future waiting for those who accept heaven's mercy and grace. Much of the writings of the Bible show a distinct and perfect way to a life of challenge and victory now, and the happiness of heaven at last!

God is waiting to reward a real heaven to real people. The Bible has this delightful promise for the weary pilgrim on his way to the heavenly city:

That sounds like a happy place to be--singing, joy, gladness!

Jesus is even now preparing a beautiful place for those who want to be with Him, and He is coming soon to take them there:

(For specific things the Bible says about the closing signs of Christ's coming, see Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13.)

What will heaven be like? Scripture gives many choice promises. Here are several:

"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom....they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God....Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap [jump for joy] like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert" (Isaiah 35:1, 2, 5, 6).

"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy....the sound of weeping...will be heard in it no more.

"They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat....my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands" (Isaiah 65:17-19, 21, 22).

(For a detailed description of the New Jerusalem, see Revelation 21.)

No more brutality, no killings, no wars, no floods or fires that destroy, nor massive landslides or scary sinkholes, no abuse of any kind, no more wrenching pain or heartaches--a good place to be! Heaven is a safe place:

Who will qualify for heaven? That is exactly what King David asked in Psalm 15:

I close this feature with these words by Beth Stuckwisch, words which have inspired many weary pilgrims on their way to the New Jerusalem: