What will Heaven be Like?

Everyone imagines what heaven will be like but apart from the scriptures, few really know what eternal life will be like in the new Heaven and the new Earth. However, consider, we are given a clue in Revelations 22:12 where we are told that God will give each of us an account for how we have lived and he will reward us accordingly. Therefore, reward is a key feature in the lives of those who are a part of the family of God, made possible through his son, Jesus Christ.

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Rev.22:12

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”

Rev 21:1-7

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.  Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

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So, imagine with me for a moment a scenario, a parable much like what Jesus told where he said, the “Kingdom of Heaven will be like this!”  By an inspiration from the Holy Spirit, he took me on this journey and I imagined a corporation or church; like a large mega church where it was founded by a FATHER and his TWO SONS. One son, it would seem he was favored by the Father but not really, it is only that he received the goodness of his Father because of his righteousness and obedience. The other son was frequently rebellious and had a tendency to want to do things his own way and so he was viewed as “Wicked.”

One day the wicked son chose to do just that! Do things his own way.  As a son with relative authority (as a legitimate child) and great influence and charm, he rallied the favor of many within this corporation and influence them to believe lies about the Father and the righteous son.  He empowered his followers to believe that he would overturn the entire corporation and position himself as the worthy leader with a better vision for ALL and many believed in him. This wicked takeover attempt went on for many years and it was ugly, brutal, seductive and strategic. It was sophisticated and deceptive. It was confusing and violent and many lives were left broken, divided and even the righteous followers of the Father were confused and sometimes uncertain if the Father would ever move and rectify this tragic pitiful state of the corporation. 

Although, because the Father was quite powerful (so much more than many imagined) and a loving Father, he continued to love each of his two sons equally despite their distinct character. Now, at the unsalvageable state of the corporation the day finally came when the Father would take no more of this irresponsible leadership and render judgment and reward upon his two son. However, the judgement did not unfold in the way that many expected it would. The Father loved his wicked son greatly, he just didn’t like his ways and knew all along that his son (by all the rights and privileges) was to himself, “His Own Worst Enemy.” He knew his son, while blessed with every good thing that a Father could give, was filled with pride and arrogance and had lost sight his love for him. Most important, the Father knew all along that his wicked son was being influenced by evil forces far greater than he knew to handle because of his wicked heart. The Father knew that these evil forces influencing him had also permeated the entire corporation through the ignorance of his wicked son. This evil influence was spearheaded by no one other than Satan. The Father had compassion on BOTH his sons although, his compassion was far greater for the righteous son and those standing with him because they were all brutally and maliciously persecuted by the influences of the wicked son. The Father knew that the time had come where he would establish a New corporation and with a New name where they all may serve once again together but with a “Renewed Vision.”

So, as the Father moved with a spirit of profound recompense to establish his corporation once again, he overturn the lies with truth, he combated the deception with the needed evidence and clarity, he exposed all the wicked plans, schemes, false narratives and behaviors of all those who followed his wicked son. He showed grace on those who were for so long persecuted for righteousness sake and he made it very clear once and for all, who started this corporation, whose vision will stand forever and what spirit will forever lead it’s mission.  The Father made it inexplicably clear how his judgment and reward will forever secure the corporation so that nothing like this will EVER happen again. 

So, as the new corporation was established, the Father took the righteous son and positioned him in the highest rank of the corporation and all those who followed him he positioned them in high ranks with influence on all levels of the corporation. The Father even had mercy on the wicked son because he knew that his wickedness was merely an influence of Satan, yet acknowledging that his son (by all means and measures) was STILL his son. So, the Father positioned his wicked son in the lowest position in the corporation with low level influence and all those who followed him were positioned even lower than him. 

So now, the corporation flourished and it had a spirit and a life that would endure FOREVER. It was renewed, beautiful and even more magnificent than it was before; it was indeed an Empire and Fortress that would have no end.