What’s To Come
John Lennon
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky
These are the opening lyrics to the song called “Imagine” by John Lennon. A self proclaimed, anti-religious warrior, who composed words to mirror his theological process and express a utopian society of his own making. A few lines further, he challenges the listener to imagine there are no countries or religion, for both of these things bring war. When we eliminate these factors, there will finally be peace and ultimately the world will live as one.
I am sorry to say, that I will have to strongly disagree with John and his ideas of blissful peace, cultivated by the hands of mankind when their minds are fully in-line with “proper” ideology. The human race will never be able to achieve such an accomplishment, because we are such wretched sinners.
Oh, but there is coming a day…
There is One, Who has every answer to every question and longing in our hearts and is the essence of total, lasting peace; for deep within this mortal body, I believe we are all desiring the same thing.
REST
A removal from the daily grind, mental strain, constant stress and painful experiences. A place where we get to exhale and really mean it. Do you know what I mean?
Currently, we have small moments of quiet pleasures that can make our day wonderful and relaxing. If you are in Christ Jesus, you have extra pockets of joy, because of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit within us. But, we are still tethered to this world and all the wicked, evils of our day. Just when we are able to release the breath we were holding and gain a moment of respite, something else comes along which causes a sharp inhale once more and we are back where we started.
I am ready for the perfect, rhythmic breathing patterns of true, lasting peace. The kind of calm that will never be shattered or broken. Can you imagine that?
Streams of living, refreshing water flow right through the center of our new home, emanating from the throne of God. Trees to feed the nations flourish and grow along its banks. Fruit for nutrition and leaves for healing. There is no lack, no want, and no one will be in need.
The sound of the rushing water taps out its melodious harmony as it flows across the rocks. Grass so green and lush, one will believe they have lived their former life in black and white and suddenly stepped out the door into brilliant technicolor.
A soft wind rustles the trees and blows across your face, crisp and clean, filling your lungs with joy from the pureness it inhaled. The smell of fresh flowers, in a myriad of colors, float upon the breeze, blending to create the most glorious, intoxicating smell. Sweet, yet not too strong. Bold, yet not overbearing. Perfect.
There is a feast coming, with foods and drink beyond our comprehension. The most satisfying delicacies you have ever placed in your mouth, with flavors that awaken the taste buds in ways you never dreamed possible. Everything prepared to perfection, as if the master chef had been working tirelessly for hours on end, merely to please his guests. No expense spared and no short cut taken.
Pure, complete joy overflow to all who gather. The feeling of utter satisfaction is one not to be overlooked, for nothing of this current world can come close in achieving such fullness of the soul. And the love… Oh, the love that falls upon us all. It curls and wraps itself around our whole body, forming a cocoon of safety. Blissful and content; we will feel whole, void of nothing.
Sorrows will all pass and tears of sadness, anger, frustration or bitterness will be long forgotten, for those things will not be needed once we are home with our Savior. All striving will cease. The constant push and pull, up and down, tug-of-war will be no more, and the daily grind I mentioned earlier, will be as if but a dream which you remember at first waking, but then quickly evaporates from your brain moments later. Gone, never to return.
Death will be no more.
Pain will be merely a concept that was taught in bygone years, but nothing to be experienced within our heavenly home.
Fear, doubt, anxiety, depression, disease and every other negative emotion or experience you can define from Webster’s Dictionary, will not be found among the saints. Tranquility, confidence, security and well being have driven out all such previous, dark feelings; leaving us fearless and totally free.
You will no longer regret your past decisions. Guilt will not eat your insides alive. Shame will be a word we lose understanding of, because we will finally understand the full power of the Blood of the Lamb. The price that was paid will become clear and the immediate (and only proper) response will be to fall down in pure worship to our King.
All of this and so much more is what awaits those who are found in Christ Jesus. What a glorious day it will be!
Do you think about these kind of future events? Do you stir your heart’s affection toward the promise of what’s to come? Is there a longing within you, which wishes to go home? The Lord gave us just enough glimpses of what our eternity will look like throughout scripture, to keep us excited and anticipating brighter and better days.
Every difficult season and heart wrenching loss, all the shadows which chase the sun away and the most grotesque scenario you could possibly conjure in your mind to endure, will not dim the brightness of what lies ahead. The most horrific experience here, will seem to have been but a light affliction when we reach glory. It is beyond explanation and compare- our reward for overcoming.
So hold fast to the truth. Let the things of heaven compel you forward and onward, remembering always this present age is not your forever home. Oh, what riches await us!
So, sorry, Mr Lennon, I will not only imagine heaven and all its glorious wonders, but one day, I will live there in complete and total peace. And yes, on that day, the world will finally live as one.