Next Stop: Heaven!

Have you ever really been homesick?

For those who come from wonderful homes, the old saying, “There is no place like home,” rings true. On the other hand, those from miserable homes sometimes enjoy their time away. Regardless, there is one home waiting for us that we all should desperately miss—Heaven!

Eternity in our hearts

The Bible says, “He has put eternity in their hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). For this reason, we will never really be fully satisfied in this life. Nothing will ever quite measure up.

We have all experienced those moments when everything seemed to be just perfect— that perfect sunset, that star-filled night, that special moment with someone you love. At those times you think you want it to be this way always. But it doesn’t last. In a sense, you have had a glimpse of eternity—a taste of the bliss you will experience one day in glory.

Some try to fill this homesickness for Heaven by trying to have a perfect life. They don’t feel that special feeling any more with their husband or wife, so they go looking for someone else. Their work is not as gratifying as it once was, so they pursue another career. Their home no longer satisfies them, so they buy one that is bigger and better. Yet, true fulfillment eludes them.

We could look back on life and come to the same conclusion that Benjamin Disraeli, the former prime minister of England, came to. Reviewing his life, he said, “Youth is a mistake, manhood a struggle, old age a regret.”

Why is life itself often so dissatisfying? Because there is something in us which earth can never satisfy. It is a hunger for God. Unfortunately, Mr. Disraeli seemed to miss this point. God placed this built-in homing instinct for Heaven in our hearts to draw us to Himself.

The reality of Heaven

While the Bible frequently talks about Heaven, and we are given clear instructions as to what we must do to get there. Still, many do not take the existence of this eternal home seriously. Heaven is often dismissed as some foggy concept, not really understandable, and not really believable.

Here are the biblical facts about Heaven:

• The existence of Heaven is 100% real.
• The existence of Hell is 100% real.
• We can be 100% sure of going to Heaven when we have been born again by faith in Christ (not by the good things we do).

Heaven is a place prepared for those who are prepared for it (John 14:2).