themoverandover—becausewewillnolongerinhabitagingbodiesthatgrowtiredorliveinasin-infectedworldthatmakeslifetedious.Inthat“placecalledheaven”wewillenjoyan“excessoflife.”We’llbelikechildrensayingtoourheavenlyFather,“Doitagain!”
3.Heavenwillbeonelongchurchservice—WhileworshipingGodwillbeacentralactivityinheaven,itwillnotbeouronlyactivity.JustasChristianstodaycanofferpraisetoGodwhileengaginginothertasksthroughouttheweek,ChristiansinthenewheavenandnewearthwillworshipGodduringspecial,designatedtimesaswellaswhileinvolvedinotheractivities.
Kelinda:There’sanoldsaying:“He’ssoheavenly-mindedthathe’snoearthlygood.”Wouldyousharewithusyourthoughtsonthatadage?
Dr.Jeffress:We’veallheardthisoldcliché,andsomepeopleusetheideatojustifyfocusingtheireffortsandaffectionssolelyonthisworld—deludingthemselvesintothinkingsuchalimitedperspectiveisactuallyavirtue.Likethefoolishfarmerwhoactedasifhewouldliveforever,thesepeoplefailtorealizethebrevityofthislifeandthelengthofeternity.
Buthereisthegreatirony:themorewethinkaboutthenextworld,themoreeffectivewebecomeinthisworld.
Therealizationthatweareheadedtoanewlocationcalled“heaven”shouldbegreatmotivationforustospendourlimitedtimeonearthproductively.Noneedtobeconcernedaboutpilingupalargeamountofmoney—we’llleaveitallbehindwhenwedepart.Noreasontobefixatedonwhatotherpeopledotousorthinkaboutus—ourcallingtoournewlocationisassured.Instead,graspingtherealityofthat“placecalledheaven”thatawaitsusshouldliberateustoinvestourfewremainingyearsonearthaswiselyaspossible.
Kelinda:Therearesomebooks,alreadyonthemarket,writtenaboutNear-DeathExperiences,someofwhichinvolvevisitstoheaven.Doyoubelievetheseareactualvisits?
Dr.Jeffress:ThepopularityoftheseNDEbooksgoesbeyondournaturalcuriosityabouttheunknown.Implanteddeepinsideeachofusisalongingforthis“placecalledheaven.”Whilethereismuchtoloveaboutearth—itspeopleandplaces—weinstinctivelyknowtheremustbesomethingmore,somethingbetter.KingSolomonwrotethatGodhas“seteternityin[our]heart”
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