Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Rick Warren
The Absence of Pain
What happens today will all be history someday. What used to cause great pain and suffering will then be a distant memory, and Paul’s words will ring as true then as they do today where he wrote, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). The idea is you have a huge set of scales and you place all of your troubles of this life on one side and then the eternal joy on the other. One side’s less than a feather; the other has all created matter on it. It’s no contest: Nothing can compare “with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
The Absence of Time
What happens when “time shall be no more” or when we have all eternity? I can’t imagine how great having an eternity of time will be because today it seems there are not enough hours in the day for me. However, the day is coming when we “will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:4-5). What I used to have a limited amount of (time), I will now have limitless amounts.
The Absence of Sin
How many of you struggle with sin? Do you feel like Jacob, who wrestled all night with God (Genesis 32:28-30)? I don’t know about you, but my struggle is constant. It wearies me. You can’t let your guard down or lay down your armor of God. For me, one of the greatest differences between heaven and earth will be the end of the daily struggle with temptation and sin. Sin will be no more someday. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to be struggling with sin because this shows the Spirit of God convicting us. But that struggle will come to an end someday in our new bodies, and we’ll be in a place where sin cannot enter (Revelation 21:27).
The Presence of God
Can you imagine having been with Jesus during His earthly ministry and having looked into His eyes, knowing that He knew everything about you and what was in your heart? Only a scant few have ever seen Jesus face to face, but that day is coming for all who believe and even those who refuse to believe (Revelation 20:12-15). We shall all stand before Christ in one way or another. For those who have repented and trusted in Him, Jesus will be their King. For those who have rejected Him, He will be their Judge. Either way, we will all stand before Christ. Some will receive eternal rewards, some eternal punishment (Matthew 25). I’d rather be where God dwells (Revelation 21:3; Revelation 22:4) than separated from Him for eternity (Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:8).
Conclusion
Our life is like the morning fog: It burns off quickly. And the older I get, the more it seems to speed past me. However, the day is coming when time won’t matter anymore. The only thing–really the only One–that will matter is Jesus Christ the Lord, for anywhere that Jesus is must be heaven!
