When one thinks of heaven many different Bible verses come to mind.
For instance, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1- 4); one of the most comforting passages concerning heaven is “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:2 – 4).
Human beings are limited in understanding the realm of spiritual beings so God used accommodative language to help man have an idea of the splendor of heaven. Man knows of the beauty of gold, pearl, and rare jewels, so God used those words to give man an idea of this wonderful place. The Revelation letter is man’s portal to glimpse the home of the faithful for all eternity. Heaven will be as the old hymn says a “Wonderful Place”. Knowing such a place is waiting should help persuade lost souls to seek for this place, causing them to desire to leave the things of the world behind.
What a great blessing it is to know that heaven will be there for eternity for all who seek to go. Many times, heaven is spoken of as a going home. The word “home” gives a sense of peace and comfort to the idea of heaven. Home is the place where no matter what befalls one during the day there is a safe haven for one to go.
The Hebrew writer spoke of heaven as a rest. “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest … There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief ” (Heb. 4:1 – 11). Rest is something all seek from time to time, the rest that awaits the faithful.
Yet it should also be understood that the rest of heaven will not mean the ending of activity for there will be worship of God around His throne (Rev. 5: 1ff).
Jesus assured His disciples in heaven there are abiding-places prepared (John 14:6) and He wants all men to come to Him.
Matthew recorded, “Come unto me, all ye that labors and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28 – 30).
It is God’s desire that all be saved and enter into the rest of this glorious city (1 Tim. 2:4).
This idea shows the mission of Jesus, He came to save mankind (Matt. 1:21, Luke 19:10, John 14:6). Many people fail to see this when they think of Jesus coming to earth, but this was His mission.
Heaven awaits all who will prepare, believe in Jesus, repent of your sins, confess Him as the Son of God, be baptized for the remission of your sins and live faithfully for Him, and heaven can be yours.