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                                                                HEAVEN    

            Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven. (Matt. 5:12). 

       It is significant that the word “God” (the Creator, the Infinite One) is mentioned in the first verse in the Bible, while the word “Lord” (the One in supreme authority) is found in the last. Between these two verses is written the career of man in time; beyond it is the lot of man in eternity. 
       “The best last” is not only a sentimental saying of man, but also one of the happy provisions of the Creator for His people. Here we are blessed with many “unmerited favors,” (here we have the definition of “Grace”), but the best of human life is mixed with disappointments and sorrows of earth. Over yonder is a world unmixed with the sins and sorrows of earth, abounding in endless bliss and glory of which the most blissful things of earth are but temporary foretastes. It is fitting, therefore, that in harmony with this gracious provision of a loving heavenly Father, we should reserve for the last a subject which, next to God, is the sublimest of all subjects--HEAVEN. You the reader are invited to join us in our meditation upon what heaven is, upon the way to get there, upon who will go there, and what will be our experiences after we get there. 

                                                            DEFINITIONS  

       In considering this subject we think of--
       1. The aerial heavens--where the birds fly, the clouds float, the rain and snow are formed. 
       2. The broad expanse--the region of the stars. 
       3. The “heaven of heavens”--the place where God dwells, the eternal “paradise of God,” where God and saints and angels will spend eternity. 

                                                   HOW GOD DESCRIBES IT 

       1. It is “a place” (John 14:1-3). From this and similar scriptures we understand that heaven is not merely a condition but a place, the eternal dwelling place of God, where God the Saviour dwells, and where saints and angels will spend eternity with Him. 
       2. It is “the high and holy place” (Is. 57:15). This gives us the added thought that of all places heaven is “the high and holy” place--high, because it is above all other places; holy, because it is inhabited by holy beings only, and sin will never enter there. The seraphim sang, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts,” (Is. 6:3), and worshipers in glory will continue to take up this sweet refrain. The holy of holies in the tabernacle in the wilderness, and later in the temple, typified heaven (Heb. 9:1-12).  

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       To those who expect to spend eternity in heaven the commandment is, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1Pet. 1:16). The angels of God are spoken of as “holy angels” 
(Matt. 25:31). Nothing unholy will ever be permitted there, for “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). Without peace and holiness, “no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Holy, thrice holy, forever holy is the eternal dwelling place of God. 
       3. It is “a better country” (Heb. 11:16). This world seems good enough to many people, considering how they cling to it in the face of all that the Bible has to say of “the high and holy place,” the “better country” above; but they who have, with an eye of faith, beheld visions of the glory world, are of one mind in calling that “a better country: than any place ever found here, for the following reasons: 
       All that is in this world will pass away, but the things of the “better country” will last forever. (1John 2:15-17). 
       Here riches are endangered by moth, rust and thieves; there they are safe, will endure, are eternally preserved. (Matt. 6:19-21; 2Tim. 1:12). 
       Here the wicked trouble, we grow weary and worn; to find out what will happen to us there read (Job 3:17). 
       Here all flesh, like grass, withers; there we shall live forever. (1Pet. 1:24; 
1Cor. 15:54). 
       Here we have sickness, heartaches, pain, disappointments, many tears; in the world to come our state of existence will be the exact opposite of these things. (Rev. 21:4). 
       Here the poor are oppressed, some well-meaning people are led astray, and murder, wars, licentiousness, pride, intemperance, and corruption are in evidence in every land; there such things are unknown. (Rev. 7:16, 17; 21; 22). 
       4. It is a place of “many mansions” (John 14:2). As Good makes bountiful provisions for the well-being of His people here, so will He do for His people in the world to come. The question is not, Has God prepared a mansion for us there? but, Have we made the necessary preparations, that we may be so happy as to occupy it when the Lord makes His final call? 
       5. It is a “garner” (Matt. 3:12). This Scripture conveys figurative language especially when read after (Matt. 13:39), but the meaning is so clear that no one needs an interpreter to understand it. The idea of a garner suggests convenience, protection, safety, and preservation. 
       6. It is a place where there are “pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11). This world is pleasure-mad--and in their madness after pleasure people seek it from the wrong source. Following the leadership of the enemy of their souls, their pleasures are but for a season, when the bitter dregs found in every cup of sinful pleasure reveal the folly of it all. (Eccl. 11:9; Prov. 23:32; 1Tim. 5:6). 

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But if a simple faith in Jesus in an occasion for “joy unspeakable and full of glory”  
(1Pet. 1:8), what must be the real experience of the saints of God when, in the fullness of joy and glory they shall stand in the presence of the King in His glory and at His right hand share in His pleasures forevermore. “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” 
       And then to think that this will go on FOREVER. Can you grasp it? Centuries before the Flood, Enoch was translated and has been walking with God ever since; but this is but a mere speck upon the canvas of time as compared with what eternity means. Joy, riches, glory--FOREVER--How long did the pleasure-mad people of that day who despised God’s marriage laws (Gen. 6:1, 2) enjoy their pleasures! “FOREVERMORE”--are the pleasures at the right hand of God. Well has the poet said: 

                                         “When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
                                                            Bright, shinning as the sun, 
                                                        We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
                                                            Than when we first begun.”  

       7. It is a place of spotless purity and fullness of glory. No vile bodies will be there, for “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1Cor. 15:50). No sin will be admitted there (Rev. 22:15), because those people will have their place in the lake which is the second death (Rev. 21:8). And who can fathom the depths of the blessedness and purity and holiness of heaven, where the ransomed hosts of God will be out of sight and out of reach of all danger, forever removed from the corruption and debauchery of the devil and his hosts? As for the glory there, it is beyond the power of the human tongue or pen to describe. Nearly two thousand years ago the heavenly host proclaimed the glory of God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Saints and angels are still proclaiming His glory. Today we look beyond this vale of tears and with an eye of faith behold the King upon His throne surrounded by an innumerable throng of saints and angels. We think of the glory which envelops the throne of God in heaven; of the majesty and power and goodness and purity and wisdom and dominion of the mighty King of kings and Lord of lords; of the saints of God and holy angels in unnumbered millions praising and glorifying His high and holy name; of the ransomed hosts of God singing the song of everlasting deliverance; of the immeasurable space, the indescribable beauty, the matchless purity, and the perfect bliss of those whose happy lot it will be to share in this wondrous glory; of the heavenly light that far outshines the brightness of the noonday sun, the Lamb of God being the light thereof. Glorious and wonderful, both the Throne and He that sitteth thereon--happy the lot of those whose blissful privilege it will be to have a part in His never ending reign. “Praise ye the Lord.” 

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                                                        HOW TO GET THERE  

       1. By way of the cross. In other words, it is through Jesus Christ “the door” 
(John 10:1, 9) that any one may enter, and no one can find entrance by any other means. 
(Acts 4:12). When Thomas asked,” How can we know the way?” Jesus replied with, 
(John 14:6). Christ Jesus “is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification” (1Cor. 1:30). 
       2. By way of innocence. Jesus referred to the child as being typical of and among those who are fit to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:1-3, 10; 19:14). God’s “little ones” are the innocent ones, those under the Blood whether by reason of childhood innocence or by being (“born again”), a prime essential for getting into the Kingdom--otherwise their entrance into heaven would bring defilement into it. But being under (washed, cleansed by) the Blood, they are fit subjects for the eternal Kingdom. 
       3. By way of the new birth (John 3:3, 5, 7). We “must be born again.” “In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” 
(Gal. 6:15). 
       4. By way of the “strait gate” (Matt. 7:13, 14). Christ warns His followers against the teaching of false prophets, who deceive many into traveling the broad road--where they may take their pride, lust, covetousness, sinful amusements, deceitfulness, selfishness, and every other mark of worldliness along. The narrow way is too narrow to admit any of these things (Luke 13:24), yet broad enough for every human being to travel on, provided they leave their worldliness behind. This way is just as broad as the TRUTH--no broader, no narrower. How eager we should be to know the truth and to obey it in fullness: for who has the power to remove even “one jot or tittle” from the WORD? 
       5. By the way of holiness. “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not passover it” (Is. 35:8). People are not made holy at the judgment bar; there they will simply get their sentence of reward or punishment, according to the record they make here. Whatever may be the point at which we get on to this “highway” or “way of holiness;” we must be on it at the time death overtakes us, or eternity will find us outside of heaven. “To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin ... harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:13, 15). The way of the world is condemned (Eph. 2:2). Only holy people can walk the way of holiness. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” They who travel this road will “see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). 

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                                                    INHABITANTS OF HEAVEN  

       We have reached the portals. The way that leads to the pearly gates has been traveled. We hear the blessed invitation, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the KINGDOM.” That glorious land, so vividly described in Scripture and so ardently longed for by every child of God, is in plain sight. The thing that now interests us is, Who is there? Whom shall we meet? Who will be our companions in glory? 
       1. God is there, will be there in power and glory (Ps. 11:4; 1Kings 8:27, 30; 
Dan. 5:23; Matt. 11:25). We have already spoken of heaven as the eternal dwelling place of God--Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Christ our Mediator entered heaven 
(Acts 3:20, 21; Heb. 6:20) where He is all powerful (Matt. 28:18). Heaven is God’s throne, and He fills heaven and earth (Jer. 23:24). It is the presence and power of the Holy Trinity that makes heaven a land of infinite bliss and riches and glory. 
       2. The holy angels will be there (Matt. 18:10; 24:36). When Christ was under trial He had only to speak the word, and more than twelve legions of angels from heaven were ready to come to His rescue (Matt. 26:53). In the great hallelujah songs of glory the angels will have a prominent part (Rev. 7:9-12). Heaven will mean more for saints because of the presence of those celestial creatures who in this life served as “ministering spirits” to all the “heirs of salvation.” (Heb. 1:14). 
       3. Saints will be there. These, we understand, will include both those who went in childhood innocence and those who, by the grace of God and through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, were “born again” and became “heirs of glory.” The spirits of those who have gone on before are even now in the realms of glory, in the presence of God, and when Christ will bring them with Him when He comes for His bride they will, with the righteous living, be clothed in glorified bodies and together they will meet the Lord in the air (1Thess. 4:14-18) and be forever with Him. “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ... as the stars for ever and ever” (Dan. 12:3). To all the saints on earth this cheering message is enough to encourage them to put forth redoubled efforts to win as many other souls for God as it is possible for them to do. “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” 

                                                  CONCLUDING THOUGHTS  

       1. We have only a limited knowledge of heaven. Notwithstanding the graphic pen pictures of heaven found in the inspired Word, there are many things which have arisen in the human mind in the form of questions which God has seen wise to withhold from us. Shall we recognize our friends there, as we knew them here? Will we know one another there as infants, centenarians, and in-betweens? Will we continue to grow there? 

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       Many more questions of similar nature have been raised, and to which, as a rule, the most enlightened human beings must answer, “I don’t know.” Is it wrong to ask such questions? No--but it is well that in all these things which are not clearly revealed we are not too positive in our views. Some things are plainly taught; others are not so clearly set forth, but we may have a fair estimate of them by the inferences borne in Scripture; while on other things the Bible is completely silent. We do well to remember that the Infinite God saw fit to reveal and to withhold from view, just as much as He knew and knows to be for our good. And in our differing opinions we should be very slow to take away other people’s hopes of anything which they expect to see in heaven, unless we have a clear “thus saith the Lord” that they are deluded by false hopes. Another thing to remember is that, on this as well as many other subjects, the more earnestly and prayerfully and perseveringly we study God’s Word the more the things which at first seem hazy are transferred into the class of things which are clearly revealed. And whatever is left unrevealed when we reach the portals of death, will be revealed in clearness when we open our eyes on the other shore. “Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1Cor. 13:12). 
       2. We can afford to trust the Lord. We spoke of a number of questions which people have raised with reference to how it will be in heaven after we get there. But there are questions which, to us in this world, are still more vital--one of them being: If Christ should come at this time, would we be prepared to meet Him, and to get to heaven at all? In all such questions we can well afford to open our eyes, trust the Lord, and conform to His holy will--not, close our eyes and risk it; but open our eyes, study God’s Word, and obey it fully. 
       3. Eternity in heaven. Here are two unfathomable words in glorious combination which send a thrill of rapturous joy through the hearts and souls of all men who have ever taken time to meditate upon this absorbing theme and who know by personal experience what it is to be saved from sin and adopted into God’s happy family. The first thought that comes to us is that of the grace of God in making us heirs of glory. Then we think of the endless ages in which we shall be in His hallowed presence, in the fellowship of saints and angels, in the fullness of bliss and glory in the land where farewell tears are never shed and sorrows never come. Meditating upon these things, may we breathe a prayer to God that He may grant us long lives and healthy bodies here, thus extending the time of our opportunities to give this vision of a blessed eternity to as many people as are willing to receive the message of salvation. As we lay down our pen it is with the sincere prayer that the blessed hope of the “glorious appearing of the great God and or Saviour Jesus Christ,” who will come to take us to be with Him forevermore, will appeal with compelling force to all our readers, and that we may all dedicate ourselves anew to the great cause of carrying this Gospel of eternal salvation to the ends of the earth. Amen. 

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                ENCOURAGING COMMENTS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, AND “DEDICATIONS”  

       Time is all the days there have been or ever will be; the past, present, and future. 
The Future is; time to come; time to be; what is to come; what will be; that is to come; that will be; occurring or experienced after death: our future state. The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time. But, tomorrow is not promised to us 
(Jas. 4:14). According to Scripture we are most certainly living in the Last Days described in (Matt. 24:3-12, 34; Mark 13:4-12,30; Luke 21:7-11, 31, 32). It is not an accident that you are living during the Last Days. For the Church the Last Days should be the most exciting time, of the entire existence of the Church. Some believe that there are still left, prophecies to be fulfilled before that Rapture of the Church. I don’t, and I am not able to find any scripture to support this belief. I have been told that the Gospel must be preached to every human being before the Rapture of the Church. I feel that this is a misinterpretation of Scripture. If you read (Matt. 24:14) you will find that this scripture immediately precedes the abomination of desolation (Matt. 24:15) which according to Scripture can not happen before the Rapture of the Church. Also, according to Scripture, the “end” spoken of in (Matt. 24:14) is not representative of the “Rapture” of the Church but of the “Second Coming” of Christ. If you read (Mark 13:10), (Mark 13:9) would most certainly have to happen after the Rapture. I believe that the verses in 
(Matt. 24:5-31) and (Mark 13:6-27) are placed in chronological order. 
       It is more important to be ready for the Rapture than it is to know the timing of the Rapture. I believe that it could happen at any second from now. If you have not yet accepted Christ you can do so now by simply saying these words out loud:  
       “God, I know I’m a sinner. I know I can’t save myself. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I believe He rose from the dead to live His life through all who believe in Him. I now receive Him as my Savior. I accept Your offer of forgiveness and everlasting life. Thank You, Father. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”