Heaven

Some years ago, I read a blessed book written by Randy Alcorn called “Heaven”. This was such an inspirational book! It put inside of me this great thirst for heaven. It stirred up my imagination for all that God has planned for us. Sometimes we get so caught up in the things of this world that we lose sight of what God has for us in the future.

We wouldn’t fight over the table scraps on earth if we were focused on the feast we will have in heaven. “…The Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast… He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces…” (Isaiah 25:6,8).

When you have your eyes on heaven, earthly things will lose their appeal. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

We need to close our eyes and pray to God to give us a new vision, to have an open heaven, by which we can see what He has in store for us. We have such natural minds in our industrial nations, and the spiritual gets brushed aside as just a fantasy or a myth. Heaven is real, and God is Spirit and the Holy Spirit lives within you. Stop limiting the spiritual realm by your natural thoughts.

You cannot see an open heaven with a closed mind. And Stephen said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56).

The cost of the heavenly life is your earthly life. “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).

Prayers in the secret room on earth are revealed in the throne room of heaven. “And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.” (Revelation 8:4).

Child of God, we have the hope of heaven in us, so let that be the essence of what people see in you. Let heaven reign in your heart and be the focus of your mind such that the things of this world no longer rule you. If you have the hope of heaven reigning in you, people will be drawn to it. You only have to try and sell it if people cannot see it.

The more you fit into this world, the less you fit into heaven. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

The kingdom is not you in heaven, but heaven in you.

Don’t focus on the troubles in this world, but on the promises born out of heaven. The Lord Jesus taught, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Over the years, the Lord has blessed me to see glimpses of heaven in a few short visions. I am most convinced He does not show me anything more lest I not be able to bear living on this earth any longer. We have so much to look forward to. Our hearts are going to be so full that they will forever be spilling over.

When you have heaven in your heart, not even hell can stand against you. Jesus said, “…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 KJV).

If you believe in heaven, then you should never fear going there.

Do not see how much darkness you can keep and still make it to heaven. Instead, see how much light you can have and still remain on this earth. “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24).

For those of us who walk in the assurance of salvation, let us never stop reaching out to the lost and the unsaved. Though people may think us strange, though people may consider us fanatics, let us not care knowing that the hope of an eternal heaven is greater than any insult thrown at us.

It is better to be popular in heaven than to be popular on earth. Jesus taught, “…Remember this: Whoever listens to your message is actually listening to Me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting Me, and not only Me but the One who sent Me” (Luke 10:16 TPT).

I should not worry if a man offends me, but if I can overlook his offense and influence him into heaven.

Be willing to offend someone into heaven. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).

How many will go to hell, because we were more focused on what they were doing to us here on earth than how we might influence them into heaven? “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). 

There is a great treasure on earth that you can take to heaven with you, and that is the people around you that you can be a witness to. It does not mean you have to preach the gospel to them, but you will need to live the gospel before them. Never underestimate what God can do through the life of a believer willing to be used by Him.

Never think you cannot achieve spiritual heights due to your natural limitations. It has nothing to do with your limits, but your willingness to be used by God.

Blessings to you,

Paul Balius

All Scripture is quoted from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted. Please use the version you prefer to review the verses shown here. The best version is the one you read. An even better version is the one you live.


8 thoughts on “Heaven

    1. Thank you Paul. My brother recently went to Heaven on October 22. I was devastated but then those feelings were replaced with peace knowing how happy he must be. Free and with Jesus. I feel him by me at times. I’m reading the book you talked about. It is great. I look forward to being in Heaven. Hugging Jesus. Seeing everyone again. I long to see Jesus. There’s a picture I’ve seen titled “First Day in Heaven”. It’s picture of a girl hugging Jesus!! Amen

      1. Sandy, I am so sorry you have lost your brother. But what a wonderful blessing to know that he is forever in heaven with Jesus. There is so much comfort when we realize the truth and reality of heaven and all that it holds for those who have gone there before us. What a grand reunion it will be when we see them again. So glad you are reading that book from Randy Alcorn. I think it increases our thirst for all that awaits us. And I love that picture you are speaking of, it says it all!

  1. Such a good Word! Yes, it is the most important thing to tell others about Jesus either through words or deeds or both! We might be called names and rejected but as God’s Word points out in Ephesians 6:12,” For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood , but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms”.

    1. Thank you! And what a blessed thing it is when we do not worry how people might respond to the light, only that we shine. God will reach the ones through us by His power, we need only be the vessel that He might use for a time.

  2. Paul, once again, you have brought up some very important points. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom and revelations about Jesus Christ.

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