The Promise of Heaven

The sense that we will live forever somewhere has shaped every civilization in human history.

When I visited Egypt, the guide told me that in the pyramids of Egypt, the embalmed bodies had maps placed beside them as guides in the future world. Now, this is what they believed.

In Rome, Italy, the Roman catacombs are where the bodies of many martyred Christians were buried. These catacombs date back to the 2nd Century AD. Pictures on the catacomb walls portraying Heaven with beautiful landscapes, children playing and people feasting at banquet tables can be seen.

Some years back, while I was in prayer, I had a vision of Heaven in which I saw buildings in Heaven. These buildings were very tall, and their exteriors were shining so brightly. It was like a vast city. There was a certain kind of a glow all over the city.

Now to some, all this may sound to you like a fairytale, but this is all deeply rooted in Scripture.

Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians saying:
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. (Philippians 1:21,23)

So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies, we are not at home with the Lord. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6,8)

Most of you reading this, at some point in time, have lost a loved one. We all trust and believe that they are in a better place. Sometimes, fear and doubt creep into our hearts, and we wonder, “will we ever make it there.”

The monarch of France, Louis XIV, had passed a law that the word ‘death’ should not be uttered in his presence. That’s how much he feared death.

Lord Jesus addressed this issue, saying, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”

Lord Jesus was essentially saying, “You believe in God, that’s good, you need to believe in Him also” He is the way to the Father.

Jesus then assured them of an eternal home.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:1-3)

Notice, Lord Jesus used common physical terms such as a house, mansion, place to describe where he was going and what he was preparing for us. He wanted to give His disciples (that’s you and me) something to look forward to where we could go and be with Him.

The promise of Heaven is an important one. It has brought comfort and hope to multitudes as they face death, whether lying in bed at home or in a hospital. Heaven is a real place, an eternal home.