More Than Streets of Gold

Who hasn’t wondered what heaven will be like? If you are like me you have had an image at one time in your life of an angelic afterlife. The Bible provides a strong Christ-like understanding of heaven.

Author Lee Stroble provides us with two kinds of heaven based on evidence in scripture. One, the intermediate state, described by Jesus in Luke 23:43, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” This is a place after our bodies die, but our spirit remains alive and is in the presence of the Lord. Luke gave us this example and Christ was dying on the cross when he said it.

Second, the eternal state which occurs following the second coming of Jesus found in 1 Thessalonians says, “For the Lord himself will come down from

heaven…with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” Next Thessalonians addresses those who are alive at the time of the second coming, “…we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” From this point forward we will have a resurrected body as promised by Jesus.

Throughout the Bible, there is vivid imagery and descriptions of heaven, much of which we cannot conceive. Yet, Paul quotes Isaiah in 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” Heaven is a real place of worship, relationship, and healing.

I want also want to add John speaking in Revelations, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will, they were created and have their being,” (Revelation 4:11). This atmosphere of worship will be far different than the typical church gathering of “worship” songs. Heaven won’t be filled with boredom or some eternal church meeting that never seems to end. We will have relationships with others and go about daily routines.

Most importantly, heaven will be a place of healing. John wrote, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away,” (Revelation 21:4). For in our eternal state sins grip is gone, the golden streets won’t catch our gaze but worshiping the Lord God Almighty will be our life.