“Living in the light of Heaven” is an appealing title. I read it as a reminder and an encouragement to believers of the life to come, a life to look forward to whilst we wait on the Lord. And it’s exactly why I decided to make time to attend the women’s breakfast. I am a huge fan anyway of church events and the thought of gathering together with sisters in Christ from different congregations and different backgrounds is always exciting. I tried explaining what I would be doing on the weekend to friends from work and was saying how wonderful it is to go to events like these because we are all from such varying backgrounds but what unites us so wonderfully is our love for Jesus and a love for God’s word. My usually sceptical colleagues said how lucky I was! It also gave me the rare opportunity to share a small part of Gods glory with them. Saying that there is no fear in death, for when we die the Bible reassures us of a life everlasting with our Lord in heaven. I’d like to think I had left them a little more curious than before.
But I was curious and excited too. I know what the Bible says about heaven but only in part. Also, to share this with fellow believers, to talk in groups and delight in God’s word, whilst sharing breakfast, I think, is a taste of what heaven might be like.
One of the first questions we were asked in our groups was: “How does the thought of heaven make you feel?” I approached that question by looking at what my heart yearns for…
“No more tears” came to mind. That’s what I know heaven to be. The Bible says this in Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…” and in verse 4, “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.”
Isn’t that wonderful! NO MORE TEARS! No mourning or crying or pain! How deeply wonderful and encouraging.
And that’s exactly what the morning delivered, thanks to Rachel. It was a huge comfort. For me it was a beautiful reminder of God’s promise to us, and to wait on what the Bible says even when things feel hopeless. Despite all the pain we witness in the world today, it’s quite moving to be reminded of the wonderful life to come with our Lord in heaven. There is no greater joy, nothing better to look forward to, no greater gift, no greater hope. In fact, nothing the world offers compares to it.
Can you imagine it? Heaven will be filled with people from every tribe and nation, all coming together from various backgrounds united in Jesus.
Revelation 7:9 says, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.”
I can’t honestly think of a better gathering. But for now, breakfasts with fellow sisters in Christ will do… as we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth.
There were a few quotes from theologians that Rachel had shared with us, let me leave you pondering over two of my favourite ones…
“I shall rise from the dead. I shall see the Son of God, the Sun of Glory, and shine myself as that sun shines. I shall be united to the Ancient of Days, to God himself, who had no morning, never began. No man ever saw God and lived. And yet, I shall not live till I see God; and when I have seen him….I shall never die”. John Donne
“To come to thee is to come from exile, to come to land, out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labour, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes”. Spurgeon