Why I Want to Go to Heaven

Introduction

I want to focus our attention keenly in the direction of heaven.

I want to be as specific as God’s word allows us to be.

I want to show the appeal of heaven in the ways the Bible shows it to us.

The question may sound absurd but I think I understand where people are coming from.

There are sort of two extremes when talking about what heaven will be like and I want to temper them both.

What Will Be Absent

He will wipe away every tear (Rev. 21:4, 27; 20:10).

There will be no disappointment (2 Tim. 2:3-4; 4:8; 1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Pet. 5:4).

There will be no weariness (Heb. 4:1-11; Rev. 14:13).

No more want (Lk. 12:35-37; 16:22-23; Rev. 19:6-9; cf. Jn. 13:23).

There are multiple images for people coming from multiple places.

Mark Twain “Go to heaven if you want. I’d rather stay in Bermuda.”

Loved Ones Will Be There

“Comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

“I will go to him” (2 Sam. 12:23).

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be there (Mt. 22:32).

The dead are recognized (Matt. 17:3; Lk. 16:22-23).

God is There

Do you long to see His glory (Ex. 33:18-23)?

Do you have the desire of a bride to see her groom (Rev. 19:11-16).

He will be the source of everything (Rev. 21:22-25).

Do you want to be with Him more than anyone else (Lk. 14:26; 1 Cor 7:29-31).

Conclusion

Heaven is holy bliss.

Strip away all that is temporal, corruptible, and all that is corrupted by sin, and see if you have anything left to take to heaven.

I don’t worry about what I will lose on that day because it will only be the things I have been trying to get rid of this whole time.