“All those who are ready to go to Heaven please stand up,” A pastor urged his congregation. Nearly everyone stood up, except one boy. After the service the pastor approached the lad and asked, “Johnny, don’t you want to go to Heaven?” “Yes, sir,” Johnny replied. “Then, why didn’t you stand up in the service?” “Oh, I thought you were planning for a bus load to go there today!”

In recent weeks several individuals whom we have known for many years have passed away.  These occasions remind us of our Heavenly home.  With both of my parents and many relatives and friends now in Heaven I sometimes find myself homesick for my eternal home.

Have you wondered what Heaven will be like?  Many books have been written which describe Heaven but seem inadequate.

I remember that my Uncle Joe Kirk was near death and as family members were standing around his bedside he suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, I have just had a glimpse of Heaven and it is so beautiful!”  He was given a picture of his eternal home just before he died.

Recently I have been reading the last book of the Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ.  John, the apostle, who was on an island in exile, was given a glimpse of the future and Heaven.  Some of the passages are difficult to understand and many have tried to interpret them.  Yet, in the final two chapters, John is given a glimpse of Heaven and he says that it is beautiful  and breathtaking.

In Revelation 21, John gives a description of Heaven, “Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth had passed away." Something totally new was described in this scene.

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God.” He saw a new Jerusalem coming out of the new Heaven.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God.”  The    actual presence of God will be experienced in this new city in the new Heaven.

“He (God) will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”

“I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:1-5, NIV) God is making a new place for His eternal Home with His people.  It will be totally new, far beyond our imagination or dreams

What a beautiful and comforting picture of the caring God for His people in Heaven.

 Are you ready to go to Heaven?  I invite you to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord.  He declared, “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20, NIV)

Elsa E. Hewitt, a 19th century hymnwriter, wrote this inspiring hymn, in anticipation of Heaven,

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,   Sing His mercy and His grace;   
In the mansions bright and blessed,   He’ll prepare for us a place.

Let us then be true and faithful,   Trusting, serving every day;   
Just one glimpse of Him in glory,   Will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us!   Soon His beauty we’ll behold;   
Soon the pearly gates will open,   We shall tread the streets of gold.

Chorus: When we all get to Heaven,   What a day of rejoicing that will be!   
When we all see Jesus,   We’ll sing and shout the victory.