What Makes Heaven, Heaven
Revelation 21:27
"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."
One place every Christian looks forward to going is the place called Heaven. In the minds of most people, Heaven is a paradise. It is the place that is the perfect place to live. Throughout the years I have been to many wonderful places that are considered a paradise. My wife and I had the privilege of going to Hawaii, and it is certainly a wonderful place. There are many things about Hawaii that we both liked. One of the slogans about West Virginia is that it is "almost heaven." I have lived in West Virginia for several years, and it is certainly a wonderful place.
Though there are many places on this Earth that could be considered heaven, there is no place like Heaven. Most people get saved because they want to go to Heaven when they die. It is the paradise to which we all look forward to living in someday. But, what makes Heaven heaven? Let me show you a few things that make Heaven a wonderful place.
First, we see in the verse above that there will be nothing that can defile allowed there. God will not allow anything into Heaven that would spoil it. In other words, there will be no sin in Heaven. There will be no lying in Heaven. There will not be anything that is abominable allowed in Heaven. Yes, you may struggle with overcoming sin on this Earth, but when you get to Heaven, you can be assured that God will not allow sin there. Sin is what spoiled this Earth. This Earth was perfect until Adam and Eve sinned, but in Heaven God will not allow sin to be brought into it by anything or anyone. Thank God, when you get to Heaven you will never again struggle with sin.
Second, we see in verse 4 that there will be no tears in Heaven. Aren't you glad that when you get to Heaven you will never again have to carry a broken heart? Death will not be present in Heaven. Pain will not be present in Heaven. No parent will ever carry a broken heart for their child in Heaven. No spouse will ever again have to carry the heartache of an unfaithful spouse in Heaven. Christians will never be persecuted by the heathen in Heaven. We could go on and on describing the things that bring tears, but one of the things that makes Heaven heaven is that tears will be wiped away.
Third, verse 25 shows us that there will be no danger in Heaven. You will never have to lock your doors when you get to Heaven because there will be no thieves in Heaven. You will never have to watch for wicked people who would try to hurt you because there is no danger in Heaven. Peace and safety rule in Heaven.
Most of all, what makes Heaven heaven is that the LORD God Almighty will be there. If the LORD's presence is the only thing to which we have to look forward to about Heaven, then Heaven would still be heaven. Yes, it is the LORD Who makes Heaven what it is. All these other things about Heaven are wonderful, but the presence of God Himself is what makes Heaven heaven.
Christian, this life may seem to bring you heartache, but you can look forward to that day when God brings you to Heaven. Though you can't be in Heaven right now, what you ought to do is try to bring Heaven to Earth. Each of these things that makes Heaven heaven can make Earth a little bit of Heaven if you will do them down here. Don't wait until you get to Heaven to experience Heaven, but experience a taste of Heaven right now by bringing these things into your daily life.