Faithful on Fridays Blog

Let’s Talk About Heaven

When you were a child you probably looked up and asked someone about heaven; most kids do. It’s a topic that warms the soul and gives you hope. The afterlife is one of the foundational teachings of the Bible and yet isn’t discussed much, except at a funeral. For the next few Midweek Messages from the Archive let’s discuss this topic and see what scripture has to say on the subject.

We do know some things about heaven: we know that God, through Jesus Christ, created and sustains it, has authority over it, and dwells there (Col. 1:15-17). We know it’s a destination for the believer after death and that it’s an actual place (Luke 16:19-31). I want you to think for a moment if heaven is just what we see when we look up, amidst the clouds and the blue sky, or is it more, much more than that? 

… and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 1 Peter 1:4 

My former pastor liked to use the phrase “heaven and earth overlapping” and I really appreciate that insight. It caused me to stretch my thinking that heaven is more than what I can see with my eyes; on one level it’s what I experience every day and on a higher level it’s my future. Jesus told us in Matt. 5 that heaven can be envisioned as a kingdom when heavenly principles overlap with our earth and He called that interconnectedness the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3, 10

Let’s delve into that divine connection more clearly.

When God reached down with His hand of grace and mercy in our lives heaven connected with earth: God connected with us. When the final days of this earth have arrived and a new epoch or distinctive period of time begins, we’ll see a new heaven and a new earth. Now that’s something to think about! Yes, heaven is the place a believer’s spirit goes at the moment he dies. Yes, heaven is a wonderful place; a place where you’re in the presence of God, however, heaven isn’t just that, it’s much, much more. It’s an awareness that God is active in our everyday lives and there’s evidence of His activity. Jesus asked the Father, 

May your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven Matthew 6:10 NLT

 That should be our prayer also. 

This week may you have a new awareness of the overlapping of heaven and earth in your life. Watch for those times and places when God shows up to let you know that He loves you and wants to be an active part of your life.