There is an idea going about that we can’t know what Heaven is like and will never know until we get there. Randy Alcorn, in his book aptly titled, Heaven, says this thinking comes from misunderstanding a particular verse…
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”– 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)
Many have quoted this verse through the years to illustrate that we will not know anything about the eternal state until we die or Jesus returns. And, at first glance, it sure seems true. But in fact, this verse is ripped out of context. If you combine it with what comes after, you get a different picture:
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”– these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10 (ESV)
So, we can know, you see, by the Spirit of God, and one of the many things we learn in Revelation 21 and 22, two chapters devoted to a description of our future life, is that everything there will be new…
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5 (ESV)
There is something hopeful about newness, isn’t there? It’s one of the reasons we look with a smile on the New Year. “Last year had its problems,” we admit, “but in 2016, I’ll get life right.” We have this sense, don’t we, that we will be able to fix things with a do-over. Relationships will be better, health will be improved, goals will be reached, and all will be different if I can only start writing new numbers on my checks.
January 1 sometimes does lead to new things for people, but for most of us, hoping for new things with a turn of the calendar, we are left a bit disappointed.
But it won’t be that way on the first day of Heaven. Everything will be new on the day we step across the threshold into eternity. Disagreeable relationship issues will be a thing of the past, health concerns will be over, sadness over missed opportunities will be only laughed at. All will spread before us in glorious hopeful newness, and each day will hold the same hopeful happy possibility.
For behold…He will make all things…new!
For Thursday, New Year’s Eve! – Revelation 22!