Views of Heaven
Just as hell serves as a negative motivating force (a deterrent to practicing evil), so does the reality of heaven operate as a positive motivating force—an encouragement to practice righteousness. But just as some people have chosen to disbelieve the former, so do many discount the latter.
How can that be? What could anyone possibly have against the beauties of heaven? To be sure, the majority of society still trusts in the eternal rewards promised, but a substantial percentage have cast it off. Why? One reason is that many of us cannot think of how we could improve upon our current existence.
That is to say, we are quite comfortable and satisfied with what we have and what we possess—so that the promise of God to provide all our needs (Rev. 7:16-17) is not that alluring. Despite the fact that we know some citizens are homeless—and the claim that many families are just one paycheck away from bankruptcy (and our own inclinations to complain about how rough times are)—most people are satisfied with what they have and realize that their possessions are much greater than what most people in the world have.
Of course, we always want more. If we have one car, we need two. The same is true of television sets, VCRs, refrigerators, and in some cases residences. And then there are always the things that need to be replaced. The house needs new carpet; some of the furniture is well worn, and the addition of another room would be helpful. The fact is that, while there may be a poverty line, the greater number of people live above it.
In fact, we may be too materialistic for our own good. The rich fool in Luke 12:15-21 was concerned only with his property and his earthly goods. Physical possessions were all that he cared about; he was not rich toward God. But He said he was about to die and asked him what would become of all his wealth.
Solomon had wondered a thousand years earlier whether the heir of all his hard work would "be a wise man or a fool" (Ecc. 2:19). Jesus sounded a warning which especially applies to our society when He stated that "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word" (Matt. 13:22).
The second reason that heaven has lost its appeal for some is that they do not have a clear image of what will occur there. The extent of many people's vision of heaven is to picture themselves as winged angels floating around on clouds with nothing to do but play heavenly harps. Sounds pretty boring, doesn't it? Such a vision does not come from the Scriptures.
Instead, heaven is a place of worship and activity. Those who must be coaxed, cajoled, and browbeaten into coming to the assembly of the saints to worship here on earth will not have to worry about this tedious chore in the next life. If there is no joy of salvation here nor spirit of enthusiastic thanksgiving for all the material and spiritual blessings we receive even now, there will be no future opportunity to express them.
In other words, if we do not enjoy worshiping and serving God here, we will not have to worry about it hereafter. Heaven awaits those who have the desire to be there to glorify God.
[The previous two articles appeared in the Denton Record-Chronicle on January 31, 1997 and February 14, 1997 respectively. The following article appeared on February 21st of that year.]