One of these things...

“One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others, By the time I finish my song? ~ Sesame Street

“The word “heaven” has been appropriated for many purposes, and used in connection with dreams, loves, lyrics, and fiction, until now it has been deprived of meaning for much of society.” ~ Ralph E. Knudsen

Most of us enjoy going on vacation. I say most because there are some that truly enjoy the actual vacation itself, but they tend to dread the preparation and planning required to make it truly an enjoyable, successful and fulfilling event. Think about your last big vacation and the planning that went into it. You likely checked out a couple of different destinations before settling on the one you wanted to go to. Getting vacation advice from friends and family can be a mixed bag, so if you are like me you are risk adverse and do not want to take any chances on well meaning, but faulty suggestions. After deciding your destination you then checked out your options for lodging, activities and entertainment. You calculated the cost, made your reservations and then impatiently waited for the time of your departure. Once you actually got to go on this long awaited trip you realized that all of that planning and toil to get ready were worth it all.

If we put that much thought and effort into an earthly destination, why do we not devote the same if not greater effort to determining our future destination once our life has ended? Think about it; depending on your age, country of residence and financial situation the average vacation lasts one to three weeks. When our time on earth ends and we breathe our last breath we have all of eternity to spend in one of two places; heaven or hell. If, as the Bible teaches, those are our only two options it would seem that we would want to devote a little time understanding how the two compare, and also determine how we can know for sure which place we are destined for.

Through out the ages Heaven and Hell have captured the imaginations of poets, painters and writers. Employing allegory various authors have attempted to describe both places. John Milton wrote “Paradise Lost” describing the fall of man and how Satan was cast into hell. In his “Divine Comedy” Italian poet Dante Alighieri wrote about both but in “The Inferno” he gives a vivid yet futile attempt to describe hell. Even John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” attempts to describe Heaven or as he calls it “The Celestial City” or “The Desired Country.” While these are at best shadows of the two final destinations for all of mankind, the prose should make us all stop and consider where we want to spend our eternity.

The Apostle John provides the most details about Heaven in the book of Revelation in chapters 21 and 22. What is interesting is that he repeatedly employs the word “like” when trying to describe the dwelling place of God, for even though he was physically there he could not fully capture it's majesty. John provides the measurements, the beauty, the radiance and the materials that make up God’s abode. Heaven is a literal place, and not just a state of mind. Throughout the New Testament it is mentioned in this literal sense. Jesus tells us He goes to prepare a place for us, (John 14:2-3), the angels proclaim that in Acts 1:11 that Jesus has been taken up into heaven, and when Stephen was stoned in Acts 7:55-56 he looked up and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at His father’s right hand in heaven. It is the place where God most fully makes known His presence to bless and where His glory is most fully on display. No brochure or travel guide can adequately describe the dwelling place of God, but it is the source of hope for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. One author has described it as “A prepared place for a prepared people.” The key question for us all is have we determined what God says about heaven and how we can have assurance that we will have it as our home?

More has been written by Christian authors about Hell. Some would deny its existence but the Bible describes it as a literal place. It is described three times in Mark chapter 9 as a place where the worm never dies and the fire is never extinguished. What is interesting is that people that do not believe it exists are quick to tell others to "go" there, or think those that conceive and carry out the most heinous acts possible are deserving of it. But when pressed on the basis for who is going there no one wants to think about whether or not there is objective criteria or standard to determine that.

In the King James translation of the Bible the word hell is used 31 times in the Old Testament and some 21 times in various forms in the New Testament. It described as a place of torment, isolation, and never ending punishment. It is complete separation from God, and it is not going to be a party with all your friends, and contrary to modern culture they won’t be serving beer. In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus described the torment of the Rich Man who begged for just a drop of water to sooth his tongue. Throughout the four gospels Jesus very clearly and emphatically taught that hell existed and our knowledge of it almost comes exclusively from His teachings.

Without a doubt writing or contemplating heaven is far more enjoyable than thinking about hell. Its typically something we prefer to put out of our mind and it is hardly an idyllic topic. One of these things is not like the other and the vast majority of us would far rather think about spending eternity with God than the alternative. If you have not spent any time comparing the two or determining how you can receive one over the other, I would encourage you to do so. God sent His Son Jesus Christ so none would perish but have everlasting life, (John 3:16). God does not desire that we go to hell, and has provided a means of escape, but sadly some will not accept His gift of salvation. Don’t take my word, your family's, your Pastor, Priest's or your church word for it. Pick up God’s Word and see what He says about it. He promises in I John 5:13 that "these things" or His Word was written so you can know for sure if you have eternal life.

For those who have accepted God’s free gift of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ you have the assurance and hope of heaven. But has this weigh of glory, (II Corinthians 4:17), inspired you to tell others about God’s mercy and grace? God is not willing that any should perish…are we?

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.” ~ II Corinthians 5:10-11