Simply Heaven – Part II
INTRODUCTION – Colossians 3:1-2 instructs us to “set [our] affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Last week, from Genesis 28:10-22, the account of Jacob’s dream of a stairway to heaven, we concluded that both here and heaven are real. That certain knowledge changes how we view life and how we live life. In a practical way, how can we have glimpses of heaven here? What things in heaven can be mirrored here?
- FORGIVENESS IS HEAVENLY AND HERE
Isaiah 6:1-7 gives us a powerful picture of heavenly forgiveness touching the prophet here on earth. It was a time of uncertainty, for Uzziah (Azariah) had served for fifty years and had been a good king. In the midst of that time of change, God’s forgiveness remained constant. Let us set our affection on the certainty of His forgiveness, freely available through faith in God the Son, Jesus Christ.
- MARRIAGE IS HEAVENLY AND HERE
Revelation 19:1-9 presents a heavenly wedding scene – the marriage feast of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, for His Church (all believers in Jesus Christ). Ephesians 5:31-33 tells us that marriage here is to be a reflection of this heavenly union. Let us set our affection on fidelity in marriage.
- FAMILY IS HEAVENLY AND HERE
Ephesians 3:14-15 connects the concept of family in heaven and on earth. Revelation 14:13 speaks of the heavenly and earthly reality of godly influences never perishing. This week, I was re-reading a book by Maine author Van Reid, part of his Moosepath League series that I recommend to anyone who enjoys well-written literature that is gentle, comic, and moral. The main character, a middle-aged man, was getting married. As the service started, he touched his deceased father’s cuff-links and “felt the sense of extended grace as delivered to him by people gone before.” Exactly. Let us set our affection on family, including the family of God.
- FRIENDSHIP IS HEAVENLY AND HERE
The words of Jesus in John 15:13-15 are certainly of divine, heavenly origin. He calls us His friends! I think of Mrs. McCabe, who often used “Friend” as a noun of direct address. Like her, let us set our affection on friendship – good friendships, of course.
- HOME IS HEAVENLY AND HERE
When we are away, we rightly yearn for home. John 14:1-6, so familiar, should still startle us, for Jesus wants to make His home our home. Let us set our affection on home.
CONCLUSION – Verse 6 invites us to this heavenly home through faith in Jesus Christ. If we trust in Him, we can then set our affection here on the things that reflect heaven.