Why did Christians used to talk about heaven? Why don't we?
There is an epidemic in Christianity. We are looking for heaven on earth. We're always asking God to be a genie. We want our problems fixed. We want no pain. And, we could care less about the promises God actually makes us.
God does NOT promise us a way out of our problems. In fact, He promises us that the faithful will have tribulation.....the saints will be persecuted. Not might be but will be. We've been taught that, if we have enough faith, He'll get us out of our problems. This is a lie that has consumed much of Christianity in America. For Christians in China or the Sudan or India or Russia, this is a lie that is easy to detect.
God DOES promise a way through our problems. He promises us that He'll never leave us. He tells us to persevere, to never fear, to fight, to battle, to pray for strength. He promises us that, through any storm or any fire, we are in His hands and that He'll protect us. ALWAYS and without fail.
God knows what He's doing. In fact, I can honestly say that what I am most thankful for is what He's brought me through - not what I've gotten out of.
QUIT TRYING TO GET OUT OF YOUR PROBLEMS - and start depending on God to get you through them. Be strong and bold and faithful. Or, are you content with keeping the Father at hand for your needs instead of being in His Hand?
Now, back to the question. Why did Christians used to talk about heaven? Because they understood that life was full of difficulties and problems because of the wrong that all humans bring into the world. It's an evil place. There's no easy, quick fix. They never even considered that there might be. All they had was Jesus - no magic.
But they understood the biblical truths that all of us just don't understand:
these are light and temporary trials,we'll never have more than we can bear,our suffering is worth it.
But most importantly, they understood what the word hope means. Hope is all about longing for a place we really know little about. Hope is about clinging to what we do know - that one day every Christ-follower will leave behind all our troubles, all our fears, all our pain, all our tears. The hope of His return. That day and that place is called Hope....or Heaven.
When we understand the truth, quit running from our problems, see that we're in Abba's hand and that His Spirit is in us, that there's no way out of our problems - but there is always a way through them....
....then, once again, our hymns, songs, prayers, sermons and what we talk about- will once again be about Heaven.
FOR FURTHER MEDITATION:
Song lyrics compilation:
There's gonna be some trouble in your life....hold on to Jesus.
He never promised that the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb. He never promised victory without fighting but He said help would always come in time....our Lord will show up....and take you through the fire again.
These are they who've won the battle....who've stood the test....clothed in garments pure and spotless....the redeemed....the pure and blessed.
They tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise....of an unclouded day.
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.
I can hear the chariots rumble. I can see the marching throng. The flurry of God's trumpet spells the end to sin and wrong. Regal robes are now unfolded and the grandstand's all in place. Heaven's choir is now assembled starts to sing Amazing Grace. The King is coming! The King is coming! Praise God He's coming for me!
These are they who have come out of great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. They have come through much sorrow into great jubilation. They're redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. And all the strangers and all the pilgrims, they'll be no longer strangers. And the tired and the weary wanderers they'll wander no more. The table is spread for the great celebration. And the welcome home banner flies over the door.
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll. The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend. Even so, it is well with my soul.
The sweet light in His eyes shall enhance those awaiting....the sleeping shall rise from there slumbering place....those who remain shall be changed in a moment.
And there will be no more night....no more pain....no more tears....never crying again.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow. The sun forbear to shine. But God Who calls me here below will be forever mine. When we've been there ten thousand years....we've no less days to sing His praise than when we've first begun.
Job said this:
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. “Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God; Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!
Paul said this:
To live is Christ and to die is gain.
We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed but not despairing; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed....for momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.
An Elder (creature in heaven) told John this and he wrote it down in the Revelation:
"These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
