Heaven Now But Also Our Hope to Come

Intro

The streets paved with gold. The pearly white gates. Meeting our Lord and Savior face to face. What a wonderful time it will be! But I still can’t shake verses like the Lord’s Prayer, which says:

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

— Matthew 6:10 (NKJV)

How strange it is to live in this tension—longing for heaven, yet striving to bring heaven down here. Some focus on one or the other, but I believe that if we are thinking biblically, we should hold to both truths and let them bear fruit in our lives.

Avoid Escapeism

When I first became a Christian, a mindset troubled me—what some call escapism. Some believers focus only on going to heaven and think, To heck with the world, get me out of here, Jesus. But that was never the mindset the Bible describes for a Christian. Yes, heaven is the greatest thing—no more pain, no more tears, and new bodies—but we are not on a waiting list just to escape earth.

Some people seem so eager for heaven that the only reason they don’t try to get there sooner is because they think suicide is a sin. Even with my own thoughts about suicide and whether its a sin, I believe it is better for them—and for me—to stay here. As Paul wrote:

“For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”

— Philippians 1:23–24 (NKJV)

It is good that we remain here—to build up the Church and reach as many people for Christ as possible.

Rootlessness

On the other side of the issue is producing works without the root of eternal hope. I’ve seen this in people nearing death or gripped by fear. It can drive them to extreme measures just to stay alive.

There’s a difference between taking care of your body because it’s God’s temple and doing so out of fear. The difference shows in a person’s tone, words, and expressions. Some know that their “Christianese” talk is hollow, but those walking in the Spirit can discern it. Often, the root cause is a lack of true faith in what’s to come after this life.

Many try to do as much good as they can without relying on the Spirit. But if a person fully yields to the Spirit, He will plant in them a hope of heaven. Without the Spirit, they operate in the flesh—and when we live in the flesh, it stirs up sin and makes the journey harder.

Putting It Together

We should aim to give people glimpses of heaven here on earth. For some, it might be the only taste of heaven they ever experience. It’s heartbreaking to think about, and I know God is grieved by it. Scripture says:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

— 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

This verse reminds us there’s a reason we’re still here: to help our neighbors come to know the Lord. Otherwise, we would already be in heaven.

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”

— 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)

We need to represent Jesus and His Kingdom as we live out our lives:

“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”

— 2 Corinthians 5:6–9 (NKJV)

So, let both truths abound in our lives. Don’t let one side outweigh the other. The hope of heaven should fuel how we live on earth, and our life here should deepen our longing for heaven.