by Alan Langstaff
Two weeks ago I wrote a Langstaff Letter on Hell. I made the point that there are two places awaiting us after death.
Heaven – to be with the Lord forever.
Hell – to be out of the presence of the Lord forever.
So having written about Hell, I want to share some thoughts about Heaven.
In 2011, my son-in-law, David Plaisted, died very suddenly. I happened to be out in Australia ministering and visiting family, etc. I had my grandson Mitchel with me. To all of us, it was a great shock, as a sudden death often is. I returned as quickly as possible to Minnesota, and we had a wonderful memorial service for David the following week. At the end of the service, a lady who had once been on my staff gave Joy, my daughter, a book. The book was called “Heaven Is For Real.” It’s the story of Reverend Todd Burpo and his family, particularly his three-year-old son, Colton, who had appendicitis and nearly died. The book recalls Colton’s experience and his remarkable story of being in heaven.
The book “Heaven is for Real” sold over a million copies and eventually was made into a movie. It was also, for some, a controversial book.
Now, one experience, such as Colton had, can never be the basis of doctrine. We go to the Bible for that. But at the same time it reveals that many people have a desire to know more about Heaven.
This article is not a theological paper, but simply presents certain biblical thoughts regarding Heaven.
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES TO HEAVEN
There are so many references in Scripture; it is impossible to include them all. Let’s start with the basics.
Heaven is described as the dwelling place of God. He resides there. 1 Kings 8:30 (NKJV) states, “Hear in heaven Your dwelling place.” Then too we read Jesus telling his disciples, “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” (John 14:2 NKJV).
So Heaven is above all else “the dwelling place of God.” Where He resides is Heaven. As such, it relates to “eternity” in contrast to human life on this planet.
HEAVEN & ETERNITY
It is clear that the Bible teaches us that Jesus told his disciples that “In my Father’s house [i.e. where God resides] there are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (NASB)
There are a number of verses like that that relate us to eternity and to Heaven. They include John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (NASB)
1 John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (NKJV)
So the Bible teaches us that God so loved us and is preparing a place for those who believe to experience Heaven above for all eternity.
BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF HEAVEN
In the book of Revelation, especially Chapters 21 and 22, we have a picture of the new heaven – imagery and shadows. Bearing this in mind, Revelation gives us a picture of what heaven is like.
Revelation 21 and 22 are centered on the New Jerusalem (in fact, it talks about a new Heaven and new Earth).
It gives us a glimpse of what it is like, about the city, it’s wondrous design, its perfection, its glory, its beauty, its divine order.
This new Heaven awaits those who have put their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
The Holy City is approximately 1400 miles in length, width, and height. Its symmetry shows God’s flawless nature of His creation.
The streets are polished and look like glass, made out of pure gold.
The gates are from a single pearl, and the walls contain precious stones such as jasper.
The city is illuminated by God’s presence, and His glory abides there.
The River of Life flows from God’s throne. A river that flows through the city, and on both sides is the tree of life, that bears twelve kinds of fruit each month and produces healing for the nations.
Above all, it is the dwelling place of God Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Bear in mind that the Bible uses allegories and images, etc whether these are literal or not, we will one day find out.
WORSHIP IN HEAVEN
Whilst what we do in Heaven involves many things, there is no doubt concerning the place and practice of worship in Heaven. It is central to our place in Heaven.
We have not looked at the place of angels in all this, but we can note that they too know the importance and place of worship, as seen in the stories of Jesus’ birth.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE
Time affects us all. Next February I will be 92 years of age. Many of my family and my Christian friends have all gone to Heaven already. Every week or so I get an email or a letter telling of this happening.
My wife Dorothy and my two daughters, Beth and Joy, have gone ahead of me and, according to the Word, have entered Heaven.
Consequently, I have thought a lot about Heaven and the end times. In some ways, I would like to be up there with them. Yet I know “my times are in His hands,” and I will go when the time is right… (I am also waiting for the Vikings to win the Super Bowl.)
But nonetheless, I am having a different perspective on living. Although I still have assignments to finish, I can honestly say, “I am looking forward to Heaven.” To, above all, see Jesus and, in turn, to see Dorothy and the family and the many friends that enriched my life.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
You have a choice – Heaven or Hell.
You have a choice to put Jesus first and not yourself.
Heaven is for those who in faith turn from their sin in repentance and who accept and believe in Jesus as their Savior and their Lord.
In the course of a lifetime of ministry, I have had the responsibility of taking many funeral services. I can honestly say there is a difference between a funeral for a Christian and the times when the person was not (you may have done it for the family, etc.). There is a hope, there is a certainty that one has as a Christian that this life is not the end.
Eternity lies before us, and Heaven is for real. If you have never made that decision, do it now. Invite Jesus to come into your life.
Heaven is before us. The choice is ours.
Heaven or Hell.
Remember, Heaven is for real.
