Have you ever wanted something so badly you were willing to work for it, maybe even sell some things you have to earn the money? Maybe even barter for it? A man did this in Matthew 13:45-46. It states, “The kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” He found a treasure. The Kingdom of Heaven. He sold everything he had for this treasure. Because to him, it was worth it.
Do we see the Kingdom of Heaven as a treasure worth all the work we put in for it? Why do we even want this treasure? With the events happening in our world today, the soon return of Jesus is closer than it has ever been before. We are seeing the signs from Matthew 24 being fulfilled right before our eyes. There have been Bible studies going on as to what to expect during the time of the end. Are you willing to stand up for your faith and endure the trials so you can spend eternity in Heaven? And if you are, why?
So much emphasis has been placed on preparing for Jesus’ imminent return, as it should be, but not a lot on the reward we receive for our faith. Where is the hope? When my students are learning all year long the math formulas and how to implement them, they know there is a prize at the end. Their prize is promotion to the next grade level, and eventually graduation. There is hope for all the learning. Some students look forward to never taking math again. Some are dreading it due to their careers. But they know there is hope. What is our hope?
When a runner runs a race, they have to be prepared ahead of time. There is a lot of training that takes place before they are able to run the race. Their goal? Crossing the finish line. Their hope is receiving a prize in the end. They have hope.
We need to study and be prepared. But we also need the hope of what is to come. Why are we being prepared? Why do we need to be able to stand in the last days? It is for the prize in the end. The question you have to answer for yourself is, is the prize worth the preparation?
So I asked myself, “Why do I want to go to Heaven? Is the prize worth it?” There are many reasons I want to go to Heaven, as I am sure you would have many reasons as well. In no particular order, I will share my reasons for why the prize is worth it.
The disciples and Jesus are in the upper room taking part in the Last Supper. Judas has left as he prepared to betray Jesus. In John 13, Peter asks why he can’t follow Jesus, not truly understanding the events about to take place. Jesus tells Peter that he cannot follow Him now. But in John 14, He promises them “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” Jesus promises He will return and take His followers to Heaven to live with Him. Jesus has made many promises in the Bible and every single one of them has come true. I know what He says will take place. He says He will return and take us home.
In Isaiah 60:18 it says, “Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders”. In Heaven, there will be no violence. I remember when I was growing up, I was allowed to play outside without adult supervision. I could go to a friend’s house and we could roam our area with no fear. Today, as a parent, my daughter is not allowed out of my sight. My husband and I do not allow our daughter to play outside without someone watching her. There is a fear for her that was not there when I was a kid. Kidnapping was a fear when I was a kid. Today, the fear is trafficking. It is a very real fear. When our family goes somewhere outside of our small town, we are constantly on alert. It is not that we don’t trust God to protect us, cause we do trust Him. It is that we have to be aware of our surroundings. When my husband honks at someone, my initials response is, “Hun, I don’t want to get shot.” You never know if you are honking at the wrong person. Make the wrong person mad, and they will take action. There have been many stories of people with road rage shooting at the other vehicle. Unfortunately, that is a real fear. Just imagine when we are in Heaven. That fear will be non-existent. Our children can run free and play without fear of being taken, run over, or shot at. There will be no fear of anyone breaking into our house and stealing our belongings. There will be zero identity theft, serial killers, rapers, or arsonists. There will be zero violence in Heaven.
In Isaiah 65:25, it says, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,” saith the Lord.” According to animalplanet.com, the most feared animals include: the American alligator, coyotes, American black bear, pigeons, sharks, bats, bed bugs, rats and mice, rattlesnake, and the black widow.1 Many of these I can understand. Their behaviors can be unpredictable. Sin has caused us to fear animals. People are afraid of animals due to the harm they can do. Many animals have a bite that is deadly or can cause a tremendous amount of damage. But in Heaven all of these animals will be gentle. They will not bite. Their diet will not consist of meat. Wolves and lambs, which are enemies now, will lie together and eat together. And snakes, which seem to be one of the most feared animals, will no longer be feared. Snakes will eat dust and not be venomous. There will be no reason to fear them. There will be no invasive species in Heaven. They will not destroy the land or hurt people or other creatures. I look forward to the day when I can lie down with a lion or have an actual bear hug. No longer will I have to go the zoo and see animals behind bars or go to a petting zoo just to see and touch animals. In Heaven, the animals will be able to come up to us and there will be no fear of them. “There shall be nothing to “hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 65:25. There man will be restored to his lost kingship, and the lower order of beings will again recognize his sway; the fierce will become gentle, and the timid trustful.” Education page 304 paragraph 14
In Revelation 21:4, it says, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Oh what a day that will be. In less than four years we have lost my mother-in-law, a baby, my father-in-law, my grandmother, a co-worker, a woman who was like a grandmother to our daughter, and another co-worker. To say I am ready for death to be done with is an understatement. I look forward to the day I no longer cry because someone has died. I look forward to no longer being sad. There will be no more depression or anxiety. There will be no need for hospitals because no one will be sick. There will be no surgeries, stitches, medicines, diseases, pestilences. COVID-19 will no longer be a fear. There will be no more quarantine. People won’t be stocking up on toilet paper. Actually, I am not even sure if we will need toilet paper in Heaven. Hospice, ambulances, and fire stations will no longer be necessary. All the pain from this earth will be erased. What a day that will be.
In Isaiah 65:17, it says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” I will no longer remember my mother walking out, the abuse I experienced, the miscarriages, the pain I have gone through. None of that. The memories will be lost forever to never be found. I won’t be sad when I see little girls with their mothers. I won’t hurt when I see families together and not hurting each other. I won’t cry when I see babies. That pain will be gone. The history that is taught in schools will no longer be needed. The Holocaust, World Wars, 9/11, slavery, racism, genocides. All will be forgotten. Going to the Grand Canyon gives evidence of a flood. Auschwitz gives evidence of hatred. The Colosseum is evidence of persecution. All of these places will be destroyed when the new earth is created. There will no longer be reminders of the sins of the past. Only reminder we will have are the scars in Jesus’ hands and feet.
In Isaiah 65: 21-23, it says, “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree and the days of my people, and mine let shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.” I know in John 14, Jesus tells His disciples that He has prepared mansions. But in the new earth, we will build our own houses. Imagine being able to build your own house. Each one of us will be architects. There will not be a need to hire one. We can design our house the way we want them. In my geometry class, I have the students create a floor plan of their dream house. They each do a great job creating their dream. In the new earth, we each can create our dream home to perfection. We won’t get splinters or accidentally hit our finger with a hammer. Our measurements won’t be off. We won’t have to start over due to mistakes. And the house we build will be ours. There are many architects and carpenters that create and build homes for other people. They do not get chance to live in their own creation. But in the new earth, we each will be carpenters and architects and will get this chance. We each will be gardeners as well. I have never had much of a green thumb. I’ve tried planting and growing before with little to no success. But in the new earth, there will be 100% success. As much as I hate peas now, I know that I won’t in Heaven. I will be able to eat blueberries, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and dandelion without an allergic reaction. That would be amazing. Oh, how I miss eating those things. But in Heaven, I will be able to eat anything that grows on the trees or in the garden. No hives, anaphylaxis, no itching, no burning, no fear. And everything will taste delicious. Even peas. Not only will we build our houses, grow our own gardens, but we will enjoy it. There will be happiness in the growing and building. It won’t be a chore, but a joy. “There will be happiness in the growing and building. It won’t be a chore, but a joy. In the earth made new, the redeemed will engage in the occupations and pleasures that brought happiness to Adam and Eve in the beginning. The Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and field. “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold. These were to be inhabited by the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God.”4
In 2 Peter 3:13, it says, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Righteousness will dwell there in Heaven. It is hard to look around and see righteousness here on earth. Billboards, ads, commercials, clothing, websites, books, magazines and more are all filled with unrighteousness. You can’t watch a television program without seeing women in scantily clad clothing, crude jokes, alcohol, drugs, self-seeking pleasure, or even normalization of non-Biblical lifestyles. It is everywhere. We can shelter our kids as much as we want, but it is still there. Want to watch a Christian song on Youtube? Okay, here’s an ad for a horror movie. How about a sermon? Oh, wait, here is an ad for alcohol. In Heaven, there will be none of that. The temptations of this world will be eradicated. We can safely go anywhere or look at anything without fear of seeing something demoralizing. Righteousness will be everywhere while sin will not be found.
In Revelation 22:1-4, it says, “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its streets, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And the curse, but the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.” First of all, my fear of water will be gone. Praise the Lord! This water will be pure, clear, and free of anything that doesn’t belong in it. If we are able to lie with the lions, imagine swimming with a great white shark. But this water flows from the throne of God. The purest water is the water that comes directly out of its source. This water comes from God’s throne. How much more pure can it be? But in Heaven, this water will always be pure. The amazing thing is that there will be the tree of life and a lack of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Can you imagine seeing the tree of life growing twelve different fruits each month? Each tree on earth produces fruit for the season. Only one fruit. No tree that I know of produces more than one type of fruit. We serve a mighty God, wouldn’t you say? Also, we will be healed. The curse of sin will be gone. His name will be on our foreheads. How amazing is all of that?
All of these are amazing. But there is a song by the Nebblett family that goes, “Last night I had the strangest dream, an angel carried me to heaven’s gates. Glory flowed out a golden stream, the angel said, ‘Go right in, celebrate!’ But then the angel asked me, ‘what if Jesus wasn’t there? What if He were still out on a cross somewhere? What would you say? What would you do? Would you go in and wait for Him in heaven, or is Jesus Heaven to you?’”2 In Isaiah 25:9, it says, “And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.” I have waited for Him! Heaven is not the same without Jesus. He came as a child to earth to give His life for each one of us. When He was on the cross, we were on His mind. There is no doubt about that. Before Adam and Eve sinned, the plan of salvation was in place. Revelation 13:8 says that He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. What a source of joy to the disciples to know that they had such a Friend in heaven to plead in their behalf! Through the visible ascension of Christ all their views and contemplation of heaven are changed. Their minds had formerly dwelt upon it as a region of unlimited space, tenanted by spirits without substance. Now heaven was connected with the thought of Jesus, whom they had loved and reverenced above all others, with whom they had conversed and journeyed, whom they had handled, even in His resurrected body, who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts, and who, while the words were upon His lips, had been taken up before their eyes, the tones of His voice coming back to them as the cloudy chariot of angels received Him: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”3 The disciples realized that Jesus was their great reward.
Revelation 21:1-3 says, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then, I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God himself will be with them and be their God.’” I remember preparing for our wedding. It took months to get everything ready. But the wedding wasn’t the most important thing to me. Spending my life with my husband was truly the important thing. Making sure that our life together went according to God’s plan. I really don’t remember all we did to prepare. I know we went to pre-marital counseling, decided on outfits, sent out invitations, and discussed what life would be like once we were married. We are His bride. We are His people. Are we going to pre-marital counseling, church and Bible study? Are we deciding what we are going to wear, His righteousness? Are we sending out invitations, letting others know about His soon return? Are we talking about Heaven and life with Jesus? When the New Jerusalem comes down, our life with Him will be of most importance. Knowing the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us is my main reason for wanting to be in Heaven. I can spend eternity with the One who gave His life for me. There are many people that have received organ donations over the years. Many of the survivors never got the chance to thank their organ donors due to the death of the donor. But we will have a chance to spend eternity with our donor. Jesus Christ. He donated His body for our salvation. All of the other reasons are amazing reasons. They are wonderful. But without Jesus, they don’t mean much. He completes the package. He is my Great Reward.
Revelation 21:1-3 says, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then, I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God himself will be with them and be their God.’” I remember preparing for our wedding. It took months to get everything ready. But the wedding wasn’t the most important thing to me. Spending my life with my husband was truly the important thing. Making sure that our life together went according to God’s plan. I really don’t remember all we did to prepare. I know we went to pre-marital counseling, decided on outfits, sent out invitations, and discussed what life would be like once we were married. We are His bride. We are His people. Are we going to pre-marital counseling, church and Bible study? Are we deciding what we are going to wear, His righteousness? Are we sending out invitations, letting others know about His soon return? Are we talking about Heaven and life with Jesus? When the New Jerusalem comes down, our life with Him will be of most importance. Knowing the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us is my main reason for wanting to be in Heaven. I can spend eternity with the One who gave His life for me. There are many people that have received organ donations over the years. Many of the survivors never got the chance to thank their organ donors due to the death of the donor. But we will have a chance to spend eternity with our donor. Jesus Christ. He donated His body for our salvation. All of the other reasons are amazing reasons. They are wonderful. But without Jesus, they don’t mean much. He completes the package. He is my Great Reward.
I look forward to eternity with Jesus. This is possible only by God's amazing grace.
1“Top 10 Animals That Scare Us the Most.” Animal Planet, 14 Dec. 2014, www.animalplanet.com/wild-animals/top-ten-scary-animals/.
2”Strangest dream lyrics by Nebblett family” Youtube, 7 Jul. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuvumpGEnUY
3 “Heaven.” Ellen G. White Writings, m.egwwritings.org/en/book/36.276#277.
4“BibleTools.info.” BibleTools.info, bibletools.info/.
