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\u201cBeloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is\u201d (1 John 3:2).<\/p>\n
TO BE IN CHRIST IS TO BE MOVING TOWARD AN EXPERIENCE THAT MUST SURELY QUALIFY AS THE ULTIMATE EYE-OPENER. If we depart from this life in fellowship with Him, we will not have found ourselves on the other side for one instant before we realize two breathtaking things: (1) It is very different<\/em> than we thought it would be, and (2) it is much better<\/em> than we thought it would be.<\/p>\n In our present condition, we are not able to understand much more than the edges of God\u2019s reality. The limitations of our creaturely minds, compounded by the problems resulting from our sin, mean that our vessels are too small to hold more than a little understanding of God and His heavenly abode. God has revealed Himself to us wonderfully, of course, and what He has revealed is objectively true. Our limitation is not in the truth or accuracy of what we can know, but rather in the extent of that knowledge. And concerning heaven, God has said only that it will be like some of the more valuable things that we\u2019re acquainted with in this world.<\/p>\n As we reach forward to eternity, we should hold in our minds the most vivid concepts of God and heaven that the Scriptures will allow us to entertain. But as we hold these concepts in our minds, we need to hold them gently, or even tentatively. The truth is, great surprises are in store for God\u2019s faithful people, and even the most perceptive and wise should expect to have their imaginings corrected and improved by a greater reality when that time comes.<\/p>\n The God who created us for His glory is a God of such great goodness that no earthly visualization can take it in. But eventually, if we\u2019ve yielded to His process of redemption, our eyes will be opened to the full extent of the majesty that we\u2019ve wondered about for so long: \u201c. . . it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.\u201d So while we are eager in our anticipation of heaven, let us also be humble, reverent, and open. Much about God remains to be seen. Little more than this do we really know: heaven will be better than even our best guesses right now.<\/em><\/p>\n Earth breaks up, time drops away, Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n
In flows heaven, with its new day.
(Robert Browning)<\/p>\n