This image is of Willow Badger, the primary character in my book series “River Edge Farms.” It is split into thirds. Each with a little more detail, moving left to right. Line art – illustrated novel, ink style – full color. It’s a progressive revelation.
We gain a progressive revelation of what heaven would be like through life. As non-believers, we have absolutely no real concept. If we think of it at all, it’s based on wishes, half-truths and skewed ideas about God.
As we become believers, we grow in our knowledge of the Bible’s teachings and in our intimacy with the Father. As we begin to see Him more clearly, we begin to develop a clearer idea of the afterlife.
John’s Revelation of Jesus the Christ (the last book of the Bible) devotes several chapters to describing what was revealed to him. That begins to give us a picture of what he saw. It’s an incomplete illustration to be sure, but I think it gives us a taste.
The apostle Paul speaks of this progressive revelation of glory.
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child. When I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love—these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul is speaking of so much more than glory. He is talking about seeing and becoming more Christ-like. He speaks of the things of utmost importance.
He has hit on something far more important than what heaven will be like. He realizes that the one he will be with is far more important.
We will be with the one who loves us beyond measure, our perfect Creator. We can trust that whatever glory will be like, it will be beyond our wildest expectations in His presence.
In this life, we have been forgiven, transferred from the bondage of sin into the family of God. We have been adopted as His children and given the Holy Spirit. We are being shaped more closely into His image every day.
Even when we don’t recognize it, we are being blessed far beyond what we deserve. When we get to glory, where there is no sin to practice, and no sin present, and the Lord is present in all His glory, what a blessing that will be.
Do I wonder what it will look like? Of course I do!
Am I more looking forward to being with Him? Without question.
He’s given us a progressive revelation of Himself. It’s not that he changes, but that we see and understand more clearly. The more I see and understand, the more blessed I feel.
I want to see the beauty of heaven, and I’m coming to realize, more and more, that the beauty is Jesus. Everything else is secondary.
I can hardly wait. What about you?
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
SUMMARY
This life gives believers only a partial glimpse of heaven, but as we grow in Christ and understand Him more deeply through Scripture, our view becomes clearer. In the end, the greatest joy of glory is not merely heaven itself, but being forever in the presence of Jesus Christ.
KEYPOINTS
· Unbelievers often view heaven through distorted or incomplete ideas, but believers gain clearer understanding through Scripture and intimacy with God.
· Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 13 that our understanding is partial now, but one day we will see fully and face Christ face-to-face.
· The true beauty of heaven is not its appearance, but the presence of Jesus, who loves and redeemed His people.
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