What is your anticipation of heaven? Most of the western world has been captivated by the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, causing many to ponder their own deaths and the hereafter. Although they may not be vocal about their own coming deaths and their anticipation of heaven, I suggest that many are pondering those thoughts deep within their own hearts. So, I am asking you to pause for a moment of silence, look to heaven, and let us ponder the glories of heaven together. Let us approach the throne of grace together asking our Lord Jesus Christ to show us the unspeakable glories of heaven. As our static existence measured by time no longer exists, we enter into the glories of eternity. We are no longer captive to time and space but set free to experience all of creation in a timeless environment. Can you imagine the glory of not being locked into time, but having the ability to travel to the stars in the blink of an eye? I hope and pray that every believer in Christ has thought much about the glories of heaven and has their own anticipation based on their personal walk with Jesus Christ and Holy Scripture.

Perhaps my greatest anticipation about the glories of heaven is that sin will be totally eradicated. I long for that day when we will no longer need to struggle against the old sin nature and the temptations from an evil world.  I long for the day when we will no longer need to resist the wiles of the devil, who has become an expert at causing emotional and psychological problems with fallen humanity (Ephesians 6:11-12). To me personally, this would be the glory of glories allowing everyone to experience the fullness and majesty of God’s love flowing uninterrupted to us, His beloved children. This would also make the meeting with distant family members and old friends beyond memorable. As God’s love flows through us to others old squabbles, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings would no longer exist. Old emotional and psychological pains that held tightly to our earthly minds and bodies would dissipate to be remembered no more throughout all eternity. I do believe we will hold onto the essence of humanity and all of our wonderful memories that would be exemplified in heaven. We would continue to cherish the memories of a gentle breeze, the warm sun, and deeper meditations with our Lord. We would remember those many little miracles that demonstrated God’s loving providence in the midst of a beautiful world dominated by evil.

At the very gates of heaven, we are overjoyed with the fulfillment of our anticipation. Unlike our previous existence on Earth, we discover quickly that we are not separated by rank, position, or any other barrier. The purity of our hearts will allow us to see God (Matthew 5:8). What a wonderful honor to be brought into His presence. We instantly realize the true friendship we have in Jesus Christ (John 15:15), the Apostles, and all those who have risen to great heights while on Earth. How marvelous it is to walk in the same company of the great preachers, prophets, and women of God that touched so many lives on Earth. What a wonder it is to be in the presence of those God-fearing Kings, Queens, and great leaders that always humbled themselves under the righteous hand of God. We anticipate the glories of heaven in the oneness of all exemplifying the love of God with everyone. What joy it will be to sit at the same table, eat hardily, and fellowship with one another. No longer will anyone feel the horrible pains of loneliness. The oneness is inclusive as all work, serve, and worship together with great joy.

Yes, we anticipate new bodies that could be similar to our original creation before the fall, that was created to last for all eternity. Remember, the trespass that led to the process of dying (Genesis 2:17). We would no longer need to propagate the race as it was before the fall. Remember, the trespass that led to the pain of childbirth (Genesis 3:16). Our new bodies would be immune to any harmful viruses, diseases, or contagion either in heaven or upon the new Earth. We would be under the loving protection of our Heavenly Father throughout the entire Universe. This would be the greatest joy to never get sickened and die of old age. The old growth pains would be something of the distant past. Our bodies would be fit for service in the heavenly kingdom and work in the New Jerusalem, the same physical size as the old continental United States, magnificently coming down to the new Earth (Revelation 21:9-27). No more wars or rumors of war, and no more global warming as we all work together as one. No matter where we end up in our Universe, we will all work together for the glory of God. We will endlessly praise God for defeating the enemy of our souls for all eternity (Revelation 20:10).

We will also be eternally grateful for separating all evil people who have openly and unashamedly rejected Jesus Christ as the Lord. There will be a great gulf that separates them from those in heaven, making it impossible to transcend (Luke 16:26). It appears in the Words of Christ in speaking with certain ones beyond the gulf while in heaven that there is no grief ensued by their own decisions to be where they have chosen to be by their own actions. Furthermore, there is clarification in the book of Revelation that even on the new Earth there will be no evil for the city gates of the Great City, New Jerusalem, will never be shut (Revelation 21:25-27). They will be open for anyone to travel freely in or out of the city, or to any other distant planet in the Universe. In our anticipation of the glories of heaven, we trust in God’s loving providence to render unto all, their own free choice as to where they will end up for all eternity. We serve a righteous and loving God who will always give each person their heart’s desire. I believe that everyone who is called into the Kingdom will have this tremendous desire to love and serve God in His Heavenly Kingdom or the New Jerusalem on the new Earth. We will all anticipate the glories of heaven.

The good news is we don’t need to wait upon heaven to begin our journey as a new creation. We can start the journey now through faith. Do you want a foretaste of what heaven will be like and what our amazing new bodies will be like, then you can begin today through faith. I can assure you that when you begin the journey of transformation in Christ, then you will have no desire to turn back. It takes great power to transform your life and that is miraculously accomplished through faith in the Gospel. The simple, yet powerful Gospel, says that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, who came to Earth to teach us about His Father’s Kingdom. Jesus Christ, the anticipated Messiah, willingly died on the Cross for all of our past, present, and future sins. As Christ hung on the Cross, all of our sins were placed upon Him as the sacrificial lamb, then His Heavenly Father poured out His wrath upon Christ who became the substitute for our sins. On the third day, Jesus Christ rose from the grips of death to give us a new life in Christ. If we say we believe this Gospel, then we pick up our cross and die to self, the old sin nature, so that we can be made spiritually alive in Christ, which is the transformation. Christ will not leave us alone but sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, teaching us, and helping us to grow spirituality from one degree of glory to another.

The only ones in the new heavens and the new Earth are those who have been transformed by the power of the Cross, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The moment we are transformed in Christ, then “We anticipate the glories of heaven.” Let me encourage you to begin your transformation today and not be cast out to a place separated by a great gulf from the glories of heaven. We have not even mentioned the horrors of hell. Everyone will die, so it is good that you make your plans today on where you want to spend eternity. All of Great Britain and most of the Western world have been confronted with death as they have queued to see their beloved Queen Elizabeth II lying in state. Please make your decision today while you still have time.