Joy in Heaven

With each passing day, my anticipation for Heaven grows.

In terms of our future Haven, I am reluctant to say “it’s not about the destination but rather the journey”, for that would cheapen the joy we expect to find in Heaven. However, I do think it valuable to recognize the arduous journey many must take to reach Beulah land. And if it we’re not the case, then for what other reason would Jesus have revealed to John that

Revelation 21:4 ESV

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

It reminds me, in a juvenile sort of way, of the many long trips we took in my childhood to Granny and Grandad’s house. The trips from Arkansas were the most difficult; 8 hours in the car, before the existence of smartphones, Spotify, or Netflix.For me, these trips have taken on a symbolic quality, a recognition of life’s winding journey. The destination seems so far away. We travel for so long that sometimes we lose sight of where we’re going and, before we get there, the time is filled with moments of tears, laughter, impatience, sleep, and of course flat tires. While the journey is not the ultimate goal, it can and often does intensify the anticipation. As our journey’s would draw us closer, looking for the Ace Hardware store on 290, we’d look for and turn down Farrell Ln, passing by the Miller & Bangs cabinet shop, crossing the cattle guard on to Beulah Ln, and then turning on to Seth Haven. Excitement would boil over as we’d reached the top of that mountainous hill, my heart would tell me before my eyes could see, that we were almost home. Home, however, was never 269 Seth Haven. That was no more my home than this building is the church. That house was only the place where home was. In my early years, Granny and Grandad would meet us at the gate, and as years went by they would greet us in the safety of their rocking chairs. It didn’t matter where they embraced us, only that they did. Home was wherever Granny and Grandad were.

It was in this simple, powerful way that Grandad and Granny taught me my first lesson about the Joy of Heaven.

1. There is Joy in Heaven, because that is our home.

As Abraham said to the Hittites in Genesis 23, so we say to the world today,

Genesis 23:4 ESV

“I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”

Family, this world is not our home, we’re just passing through.

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Revelation 21:1–3 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Wherever God is, there is our home.

Heaven is our home!

And this place that was prepared for the children of God, our home, will be filled not with crying or sadness or death.

2. There is Joy in Heaven, because there the saints sing

Revelation 14:1–3 ESV

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

Heaven will be filled with the songs of joyous hearts, including the unmistakable sound of the one’s who have gone on before us.

All of the children of God will be united in a sweet melody of joy.

Isaiah 51:11 ESV

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

3. There is Joy in Heaven, because ALL of God’s family will be there

As beautiful as the songs of delight will be in Heaven, they comprise only a fraction of our Joy in Heaven.

There is this neat feature on many smart phones and even some social media services. It is normally referred to as “Memories” or “On This Day”. An algorithm will select picture from your past, normally tied to a date or a location, and will place it prominently so that you’re certain to see it. Have you ever seen one of these? How did you respond? I suspect that many of you did what I often do. I will go down memory lane, and look at others pictures associated with that memory.

These pictures were filled with memories of precious moments in our lives. Moments that always involve people who mean the world to us. And as we’re guided down memory lane, a remarkable thing will happen if we allow it. We’ll recognize an incredible truth.

There is Joy in Heaven, because ALL of God’s family will be there

If God’s presence weren’t enough, if the thunderous singing weren’t enough, if the arrival home weren’t enough, the presence of our loved ones will be. Our hearts will be filled with joy because all of the saints will be there.

What we wouldn’t give for just one more opportunity to sit with our loved ones who have passed.

But we will one day have an opportunity to sit with them again. This time, it won’t be in a fallen world, it will be in the perfection of Father’s house. Jesus has told us,

John 14:2f ESV

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Heaven will be filled with Joy because there is space for ALL of God’s children there.

4. There is Joy in Heaven, because there the Laborers can rest

Revelation 14:13.

Revelation 14:13 ESV

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Grandad was a worker in life, for the secular world AND the kingdom of Heaven. I have a high view of shepherds of the Lord’s church, and I have even higher expectations. This is because the first elder I ever knew was Grady Moore. He leaves behind a name that I am proud to wear, and am proud to pass on. He lead, he served, he protected, and now he rests.

Matthew 25:21 ESV

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Jesus also said,

John 15:11 ESV

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Heaven is a place filled with joy and I can hardly wait to be there. Grandad waits for us there. But today is not that day.

5. There is Joy in Heaven, because those who sought first the Kingdom of God will finally be there

...”what you're doing is important”

...Grandad’s final lesson on Heaven was that there will be Joy in Heaven because it will be filled with people who seek God first, above all else...

We still have work to do. Our Father in Heaven has not yet called us home to our rest. I urge you today to honor the legacy left behind by Grandad by following his example, as he followed Christ.

Psalm 16:11 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.