Jonathan Edwards, the great Puritan preacher, often spoke of Heaven. He said, “It becomes us to spend this life only as a journey toward heaven . . . to which we should subordinate all other concerns of life. Why should we labor for or set our hearts on anything else, but that which is our proper end and true happiness?”
In his early twenties, Edwards composed a set of life resolutions. One read, “Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can.”
Some may think it odd and inappropriate that Edwards was so committed to pursuing happiness for himself in Heaven. But Pascal was right when he said, “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end.” And if we all seek happiness, why not do as Edwards did and seek it where it can actually be found—in the person of Jesus and the place called Heaven?
Tragically, however, most people do not find their joy in Christ and Heaven. In fact, many people find no joy at all when they think about Heaven.
What God made us to desire, and therefore what we do desire if we admit it, is exactly what He promises to those who follow Jesus Christ: a resurrected life in a resurrected body, with the resurrected Christ on a resurrected Earth. Our desires correspond precisely to God’s plans. It’s not that we want something, so we engage in wishful thinking that what we want exists. It’s the opposite—the reason we want it is precisely because God has planned for it to exist. Resurrected people living in a resurrected universe isn’t our idea—it’s God’s.
Nineteenth-century British theologian J. C. Ryle said, “I pity the man who never thinks about heaven.” We could also say, “I pity the man who never thinks accurately about Heaven.” It’s our inaccurate thinking, I believe, that causes us to choose to think so little about Heaven.
I talked about this subject—the theology of resurrection and common misconceptions about the afterlife—on the Love the Bible podcast with Kristin Nave, which you can watch below. I also answered some common questions about relationships, marriage, our beloved pets, and what we will do in Heaven:
Here’s the questions and topics we covered, if you’d like to watch a specific part:
00:00 Introduction, and Randy's study of Heaven
06:10 What are some of the greatest misconceptions about Heaven?
11:45 Where did the Old Testament saints go when they died? What about the present Heaven now? Do its inhabitants have some form of a body?
18:14 Will we walk with Jesus on the New Earth?
21:13 What about oceans on the New Earth?
25:58 What about marriage and relationships on the New Earth?
31:27 How Nanci Alcorn's testimony has impacted others
35:14 How prosperity theology doesn't fit with life under the Curse
36:55 Are our loved ones in Heaven aware of what's happening on Earth?
42:05 Should we feel guilty for loving animals and hoping they will be in Heaven?
55:18 What would you say to someone who feels unsure if they are going to Heaven?
58:55 What goes on at Eternal Perspective Ministries and what's ahead for your ministry?
