Heaven ... Is It For Real?


Copyright by Joe Crews.
  All rights reserved.

Millions of people are anticipating, although for different 
reasons, a time when they can leave this planet and migrate to 
another happier, less cluttered world in space. Many believe 
that time is running out for this overcrowded, polluted planet 
which has been so misused for 6,000 years. For survival purposes 
only, they hope to move into an orbiting satellite, made 
scientifically secure by fail-proof technology. There, in an 
artificially sustained, friendly environment, they hope to 
become pioneers of a new space world for restless earthlings. 
Millions of others look heavenward and lay their exciting plans 
for more distant space travel, far beyond the edges of our solar 
system. Their expectations are not grounded in the scientific 
production of laboratory landscapes and recycled chemicals. They 
look for a space home totally independent of human error and 
influence; a home free of corrupting pride, selfishness, and 
sin; a home called heaven, which they believe is now in 
preparation for them. They expect to travel there long before 
the white-smocked scientist develops his satellite colony. 
It is easy to empathize with those who are fed up with the 
distressing problems of planet earth and who want to immigrate 
to some more pleasing environment. But will the artificial 
conditions in a self-contained space colony be greatly superior 
to our worn-out earth? True, the chemically-created atmosphere 
could be more easily regulated and maintained, but what about 
the basic, ultimate problems of survival? 
Death and disease can be no more avoided in space than they can 
right here. Crime and injustices would follow human beings 
wherever they might travel in the universe. Disappointments and 
heart-wrenching sorrow would continue to mark the brief course 
of human existence, simply because man's greatest problem is man 
himself. He cannot elude his own selfish nature by fleeing to 
another location--even to another planet. Neither can he escape 
from his mortality by changing environments. 
What man really needs is a perfectly integrated, sinless nature, 
which would not be subject to sickness or death, plus a perfect 
environment in which to live for eternity. Such an ideal 
arrangement is the only one which will solve all the problems 
and fulfill all the dreams of all the people in the world today. 
Perfect health, a beautiful home, an ideal climate, and eternal 
life--what else could anyone really wish for? 
Could all these incredible conditions ever become a reality? The 
scientists say No. They can promise better health and a longer 
life span, but never immortality. They hope for cleaner air and 
improved working conditions, but no germ-free environment. That 
is the best they can do. But listen, there is a place now in 
preparation that will exceed all the extravagant words I have 
used in describing it. Most scientists deny its existence, 
because they don't believe there is a God who lives in a place 
called heaven. 
Back To the Original Plan

I want you to see that this future home now being prepared for 
us will actually fulfill God's original plan for man's perfect 
happiness. It will match the exquisite beauty and glory that God 
incorporated into the Garden of Eden. Isaiah described it this 
way: "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, 
nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, 
beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for 
him." Isaiah 64:4. 
The prophet here declares that "since the beginning of the 
world" men have not heard nor seen the fullness of God's plan. 
The intimation is clear--men once did see, hear, and know of the 
wonderful things God has prepared for His people. In fact, that 
plan was revealed to Adam and Eve in all its glory. God wanted 
the earth to be like Eden, the Garden of the Lord. He gave four 
tremendous gifts to our first parents--life, a righteous 
character, a beautiful home, and dominion over the earth. They 
could possess those gifts forever by simply choosing to obey God 
in the matter of the one forbidden tree. Through obedience to 
His will, God intended to make the human family ideally and 
eternally happy. 
Angels must have wept when they saw sin come into the human 
family for the first time. Immediately, all of those original 
provisions began to be withdrawn. Adam and Eve began to die 
according to the pronouncement of God; their dominion passed for 
the time into the hands of Satan; the image of righteousness was 
marred within them; and they were driven out of the garden home. 
The first three chapters of the Bible present the picture of 
this great loss. The entrance of sin and the story of the fall 
of man is graphically told in Genesis 1, 2, and 3. But the last 
three chapters of the Bible picture the exact opposite by 
telling of the restoration of all things. The exit of sin and 
Satan, and the removal of the curse is depicted in Revelation 
20-22. 
Now let me assure you that the home of the righteous is going to 
be right here on this earth. Jesus tells us this in Matthew 5:5. 
In giving His Beatitudes He said: "Blessed are the meek: for 
they shall inherit the earth." Mark it down well. God's people 
will finally dwell in this beautiful world, not as it is today, 
but as it shall be prepared for the saints. 
This is really most natural when you think of it. God planned 
for His children to live here when He created the world. He 
placed our first parents in a paradise without spot or blemish. 
Now, it is true that the devil came into the picture and 
interrupted God's plan, but he did not change that plan. God 
will finally carry out His great original purpose as it was 
revealed in the Garden of Eden. He will restore this earth to 
its first dominion. He will make it sinless and perfect again, 
and His people will live here in the beauty of Eden restored. 
The wicked today have more of the earth than the righteous, and 
I suppose the finance companies have more than both groups 
together. But some day, God says, the saints will inherit the 
earth. 
Surely no one would want the earth in its present condition, 
because it's quite a mess now. We can thank the Lord that when 
He gives it back to us it will be altogether different from what 
we see around us today. In Isaiah 65:17 we read these beautiful 
words: "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth." That 
is the Old Testament account, but turn to the New Testament and 
you will read the same thing in Revelation 21:1. "And I saw a 
new heaven and a new earth." 
This old blood-soaked world of ours will be replaced completely, 
and all trace of sin will be removed forever. Peter describes it 
in these words: "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look 
for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth 
righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13. That is the kind of world I want--
a world in which righteousness dwells! God is going to have a 
pure, clean planet again. Listen, if a man should neglect to 
take the opportunity to live there, he will commit the most 
colossal blunder of his life! That is the most tragic mistake 
anyone could ever make. May God help us to make that home a 
glorious assurance without fail. 
It is shocking how many weak and twisted concepts of heaven 
people have accepted. Most folks think of it as some far-off 
ethereal place--and that is about all the average man knows 
about heaven. He believes it is "up there" somewhere. Yes, it is 
"up there," and we can agree with him that far, for when Jesus 
went away, He went up. Acts 1:9. And He said: "I go to prepare a 
place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will 
come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there 
ye may be also." John 14:2, 3. 
Please notice that Jesus called heaven a place. New York is a 
place, and heaven is going to be just as real as New York. Jesus 
declared that He is going to get a place ready and then come 
back to take us with Him to that place. This is not some 
ghostly, unreal idea. The righteous will not sit on clouds out 
there in space, playing harps and singing hallelujah choruses 
all during eternity. This is a very false and unbiblical picture 
of heaven. 
The only reason a few people do not want to go to heaven is that 
they don't know what it will be like. You may find a person now 
and then who will tell you plainly that he doesn't care to go to 
heaven, but that is only because he has a misconception about 
it. Popular myths have made heaven seem dull and uninteresting. 
The truth about heaven makes it one of the most exciting places 
imaginable. The capitol city of that future gloryland is called 
the New Jerusalem, and it is currently under construction, 
according to the testimony of Jesus and Paul. It will cover an 
area greater than Virginia, the District of Columbia, 
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Rhode Island combined. If you find 
that unbelievable, don't take my word for it. Here it is in the 
Bible: "But now they desire a better country, that is, an 
heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: 
for he hath prepared for them a city." Hebrews 11:16. Here we 
are told that God is getting a city ready for His people. He is 
preparing one now. 
This raises some questions. What kind of city is God building 
for His faithful ones? Where is it being made ready? Revelation 
21:2 answers: "And I John saw the holy city, ... coming down 
from God out of heaven." In paradise at this moment, far above 
the stars and planets, God is preparing mansions for you and me. 
Someday that gleaming white city will descend right down to the 
earth and settle here as the eternal home of the righteous. How 
big will it be on completion? Revelation 21:16 tells us: "And 
the city lieth foursquare, ... and he measured the city with the 
reed, twelve thousand furlongs." 
You will notice that the city is perfectly square, and the 
circumference is 12,000 furlongs, or 1,500 miles. Since a 
furlong is one-eighth of a mile, this means the city is 375 
miles on each side. Believe it or not, 450 New York Cities could 
be placed inside its gigantic walls. The streets are pure gold, 
and the gates of it are solid pearl; not merely composed of 
pearls, but actually made of one solid pearl. Imagine if you can 
a city of these dimensions being right here on this earth! 
Bodies of Flesh and Bone

I want to present in human language, if possible, some of the 
beauty, glory, and reality of heaven. Mark it down that heaven 
is very, very real. This reality is its most wonderful quality. 
We are going to have real bodies and take up real activities. In 
fact, in Isaiah 65 we are told that the redeemed will plant 
vineyards and eat the fruit of them; we are going to build 
houses, and inhabit them. "And they shall build houses, and 
inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit 
of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall 
not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the 
days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of 
their hands."  Verses 21, 22. 
Now it may surprise you to learn this, but we are going to have 
bodies of flesh and bone in heaven. That is what the Bible 
teaches. Two texts will prove this point beyond question. In 
Philippians 3:21 we read: "Who shall change our vile body, that 
it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." How exciting 
it is to know that our present physical natures will be changed. 
We will have bodies just like Jesus had after He was 
resurrected! There is no mystery here because Jesus explained to 
His disciples all about that body. He said, "Behold my hands and 
my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit 
hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." Luke 24:39. 
First, He appeared to them and said He had flesh and bone. Then, 
He ate with them, and finally, He ascended bodily right out of 
their midst. This sequence of events in the life of our Lord 
answers many questions concerning our own nature in the 
hereafter. We will have a body made like the very same body 
Jesus possessed after His resurrection.
 
We Will Know Each Other
 
This raises another interesting question which has perplexed 
millions of people: Will we know each other there? Will we be 
able to recognize one another in the hereafter? 
Many people have the misconception that heaven will be very 
impersonal. The Bible reveals exactly the opposite. Although the 
former troubles and sorrows will be erased from the mind, we 
certainly will not forget our friends and family. No one will be 
known only as an animated number! The truth is that we will know 
each other better in heaven than we know one another now. Paul 
wrote, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to 
face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I 
am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12. If I understand the English 
language at all, this means that we will know one another better 
when we get over there than we do here. We see things very dimly 
here, and we misunderstand each other often. This will never 
happen in the New Earth. We will know each other clearly and 
plainly. 
Jesus said that "many shall come from the east and west, and 
shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the 
kingdom of heaven." Matthew 8:11. Surely this indicates that we 
will recognize those great stalwarts of the Old Testament. Not 
only will we be forever united with those we loved on earth, but 
we can make the acquaintance of those mighty spiritual giants 
who inspired us from the pages of the Bible.
Most people love reunions and homecomings. What a delight it is 
to meet old friends after many years and to renew nostalgic ties 
of the past. Heaven would not be enjoyable if no one recognized 
anybody else. I have had the joy of leading thousands of people 
to Christ, and I anticipate meeting them around the throne of 
God. It is unthinkable that I would never have the assurance 
that even one of those souls actually held faithful to the end 
and received the crown of life. We will undoubtedly meet people 
there who were won to Christ by those we won, and we will be 
able to see the endless cycle of influence as it vibrated from 
heart to heart and life to life. 
Can't you imagine the thrill of hearing someone say to you in 
that day, "It was you who influenced me to follow Jesus all the 
way. Thank you! Oh, thank you for making it possible for me to 
be here"? Surely that will be a great part of the reward for 
soul winners. 
Paul wrote to the Philippians, "And I entreat thee also, true 
yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the 
gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, 
whose names are in the book of life." Philippians 4:3. Here is 
very interesting evidence that earthly names are recorded in the 
books of heaven. There is no reason to believe that those 
faithful workers with Paul received some kind of new, angelic 
names after they were converted. The very same names were 
written in the book of life that had been given by their Judean 
mothers. The same is true today.  John, Bob, Tim, Betty, and 
Dana are faithfully recorded as being worthy of eternal life 
through faith in Jesus. 
We get another insight into this subject in the book of 
Revelation. In one of his visions, John was shown the glory of 
the New Jerusalem. It was so dazzling that the prophet was 
almost overwhelmed by the glory of it. As he drew nearer to the 
shining walls in his vision, John saw that the foundation of the 
city was composed of twelve precious stones, all of different 
colors. Then he saw that a name was inscribed in each of the 
glittering foundation stones. Imagine his feelings at the moment 
he recognized his own name on one of those stones! All the 
apostles will be honored throughout eternity by having their 
simple Galilean names etched into the massive support stones of 
the New Jerusalem. What a thrill that must have been for John! 
When Jesus called those men to be His disciples, He did not give 
them some different, mystical name here on earth. They continued 
to carry their birth names, and those will be preserved in the 
twelve grand pillars of the city. 
After the new Jerusalem descends to this earth at the end of the 
thousand years, the earth will be re-created in its original, 
perfect form. God's dwelling place will be among men, and the 
saints will dwell in both the city and the new earth. We will 
have a city home as well as a country estate. The mansion in the 
New Jerusalem is being prepared right now by Jesus.  John 14:1-
3. We will build our own house in the country to our own 
specifications.  Isaiah 65:21, 22.

City Mansion and
Country Estate

Will we be satisfied with the home Jesus is getting ready for 
us? He said, "I go to prepare a place for you." I go to prepare 
a place for whom? For you! Now you may put your own name in 
there if you would like, because it is true. He went to get a 
place ready for you, and your name will be on it. I like that, 
because the Lord is a builder who knows just exactly what I 
would like the most. 
I believe the Lord will meet each one of us and show us through 
the Holy City. He will conduct us down those golden streets to 
show us all the different places of interest in the New 
Jerusalem. We will walk along the river of life, and He will 
tell us all about the tree of life, which grows over the river 
and bears a different manner of fruit each month. He will take 
us down one street after another, and finally, as we move along, 
we are going to see a certain mansion. As soon as we see it, 
there will be a responsive chord in our heart and we will think, 
"My, that's just what I've always wanted. That's the kind of 
mansion I'd like to have!" And Jesus will interrupt our thoughts 
and say, "This is yours. I've prepared it exactly as I knew 
you'd want it. This one is especially for you." 
In addition, we will be able to build ourselves a country home. 
Remember that Isaiah promised we shall build houses and inhabit 
them? And we can pick our 
own location. There is the whole beautiful new world before us, 
and we can find the choicest place that will fit our own 
personality and put up our house right there. I close 
my eyes sometimes and try to think of a place that would please 
me, and I can think of a 
lot of them that would make me happy.  It will be without any 
spot of sin, for there will be no more curse upon the land.  We 
will never be bothered by thieves or lose the house by fire.  I 
have talked to poor people 
whose home had burned, destroying their every possession.  
Others have lost their 
life's savings to embezzlers and thieves.
Somebody says, "Well, I don't know how to build.  I don't think 
I want to build houses."  Listen, don't think it will be the 
kind of laborious work you see the poor carpenters in this world 
doing.  No, it is not going to be like that at all.  As for your 
knowledge of how to build, don't worry about it for a moment.  
There will be no limit to what you can learn.  You will have a 
whole eternity before you to learn and understand.  If you don't 
know anything about music, take a music course.  Join the 
heavenly choir.  You can go into the bass section one day and 
learn to sing bass, and then you can go into the tenor section 
and sing tenor.  You can sing all the parts and learn just as 
much about music as you want to learn.
You can learn architecture.  You can learn to build.  You can 
learn about nature.  Or maybe you want to study astronomy.  
Sometimes, when we look up into the heavens and see a little 
yellow star glimmering in the southwest sky, we say, "My, I 
wonder what that little star is away up there?" Listen, someday 
we won't need to wonder; we can just say, "I think I will go and 
find out." Then we can visit that star. That is what the new 
earth will be like. We can travel with the speed of light. 
Angels can do it now. Daniel started praying one day, and before 
he ended his prayer an angel had come all the way from heaven to 
his side. The angel said, "Daniel, when you began to pray, God 
sent me from His throne, and now I'm here in answer to your 
prayer." We will be able to travel like that. We can go out to 
visit the great, expansive universe of God, and understand 
things that no human mind has been able to comprehend before. 
Oftentimes people ask me if there will be animals in heaven. The 
Bible has a surprising number of references to this question. 
Pet lovers will have a field day there! "The wolf also shall 
dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the 
kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; 
and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear 
shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the 
lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling child shall 
play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his 
hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in 
all my holy mountain." Isaiah 11:6-9.
 Sometimes we have heard of lions that have been domesticated, 
and will allow children to play on their backs. Too often, 
though, we have read stories of family pets which suddenly 
turned upon children, attacking them like wild animals. 
The ravages of sin have made animal nature unpredictable at 
best. In the restored Eden of God there will be absolutely no 
danger of violence from lions, leopards, bears, or snakes; much 
less from the beloved animal pets of earth. 
In this world all of created life has to be on guard against 
attack at any time. The reign of tooth and claw has created an 
atmosphere of constant fear in the animal kingdom. Birds seem 
never relaxed as their heads dart from side to side, watching 
for potential attackers. 
Tragically, it is only in that restored paradise that we will be 
able to relax our own guard against criminal violence from 
fellow human beings. For the first time since Eden men will be 
able to trust other men. No one will be there who could inflict 
harm or unhappiness on any creature.
 
No Sickness and No Death

Since there will be no sickness, pain, or death, some 
occupations and professions will be totally out of place. No 
doctors, nurses, morticians, or insurance agents could find a 
soul to do business with. Financial problems will be banished 
forever. The very issues which cause the greatest grief now will 
not even exist in the minds of the saints. God will cause them 
to forget eternally the troubles of this life. 
Won't we grieve for loved ones who are not there? No doubt we 
will weep when the discovery is made that they are missing, but 
then "God shall wipe all tears from their eyes." 
One of the greatest promises in the Bible is found in Revelation 
21:3, 4. "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell 
with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall 
be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all 
tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither 
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for 
the former things are passed away." Isn't that wonderful? I tell 
you, if heaven were no more than these two verses describe, I'd 
want to be there! Wouldn't you? No more cause for sorrow--no 
pain, no death, no separation. 
In Isaiah 33:24 we read something else about the people who will 
live in that new world. "And the inhabitant shall not say, I am 
sick." Sometimes when I meet people on Sabbath morning I ask, 
"How are you today?" And every once in a while someone says, 
"I'm not feeling very well. I probably should have stayed in 
bed." Well, maybe they should have, but they loved the Lord so 
much that they wanted to come out to His house of worship. Yes, 
people here are sick, but in heaven we'll never have to use that 
expression. It will be done away with altogether. We will never 
even ask, "How are you this morning?" We will know how they are. 
They are fine. They are not sick. They feel perfect. The 
immortal bloom of youth will be upon every face. No one will 
say, "I am sick." No one will feel the desperation of seeing 
loved ones suffer and then slip over the brink into death. 
Oh, I long for this experience more than for anything else. 
Children will be safe in this new kingdom God is preparing for 
us. Let me tell you this, parents, and you may take great 
comfort from it--your children will never be in danger of 
getting hit with automobiles. I will never forget the scene in 
front of the tent in our Louisville crusade. Right in the middle 
of the street I saw a little girl who had been hit and killed by 
a car. I will never be able to blot out of my mind the scene of 
that little girl lying all crumpled up. 
The Bible says children will be there, and they are going to 
play in the streets and never get hurt. "And the streets of the 
city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets 
thereof." Zechariah 8:5. Won't that be wonderful? Parents, have 
you ever heard squealing automobile brakes which made you freeze 
in your tracks? Then you ran to the window with your heart in 
your mouth to see whether your child was in the street? You have 
done that more than once, haven't you? But there will be no fear 
that your children are not safe in the new earth. And even when 
they play alongside the river of life, you are not going to be 
worried about them at all. They will not fall in and drown. 
"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith 
the Lord." Isaiah 65:25.
Children are going to grow up there. The Bible says they will 
grow up as calves in the stall, and I think we are going to grow 
up, too. We will grow up spiritually and intellectually. 
Now I'm going to say something that I can't prove from the 
Bible. I can't give you a text for this, so you just take it or 
leave it; but I think we are going to have a little trouble 
conversing with Adam in the beginning. He was made in the image 
of God, and our poor minds have become dull by the inherited 
tendencies and weaknesses of 6,000 years of sin. We will have to 
develop quite a bit to catch up with Adam, but we will learn 
quickly. 
No doubt we will grow up physically, too. I'm sure Adam was a 
lot taller and stronger than any man today. The Bible says there 
were giants in the earth in those days. One man is described in 
the book of Genesis as being ten feet tall. I can well believe 
that Adam and Eve were twelve or fifteen feet tall. I believe 
the entire, final curse of sin will be taken away as we grow up 
into the image of God, as it was reflected in Adam and Eve. What 
a transcending thrill it will be to walk up to this great big 
giant of a man and put out my hand and say, "My name is Crews." 
Adam will put his hand down and look at me like a child and say, 
"Well, I'm Adam." I want to get acquainted with Adam. 
Writing in the context of the end of all things, Malachi said: 
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness 
arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow 
up as calves of the stall." Malachi 4:2. We often interpret this 
to mean that parents can watch their children grow into holy 
adulthood, but could it not also apply to all of us as we grow 
out of the stunting effects of sin? Although we cannot be 
dogmatic on this point, it seems likely that this could happen. 
All defects will be left behind when we go there. In Isaiah 
35:5, 6 we have a beautiful promise: "Then the eyes of the blind 
shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the 
dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and 
streams in the desert." One of the greatest joys will be to hear 
voices on every side saying, "I can see again!" and "I can 
hear!" and "I'm strong!" All the infirmities of old age will 
disappear forever and ever, and we will see only the bloom of 
eternal youth. Every mind will be keen and alert. 
While living in India I often saw heartbreaking scenes of 
suffering and human wretchedness. Beggars lined the streets in 
certain places--crippled, twisted in body and mind, leprous, and 
blind. Not even a memory or reminder of such an experience will 
afflict the inhabitants of this glorious earth made new. 
The Bible says, "They shall run, and not be weary; and they 
shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. With bodies that will 
never tire we may explore the majestic expanse of the City of 
God. It will take only a tiny fragment of eternity to traverse 
every street of that New Jerusalem with its 1,500-mile wall of 
purest jasper. Every square inch of this reconstituted planet 
will scintillate with the rarest beauty and appeal. Those who 
love to travel will find heaven a special place. The entire 
unfallen universe will be open to our study and observation. 
Perhaps an eternity will not be long enough in which to visit 
the billions of exciting planets, solar systems, and galaxies 
that were never spoiled by the touch of sin. We may go where we 
like, stay as long as we please, and return as quick as a flash. 
Is anything more wonderful to contemplate?
Maybe you are interested in people, as I am. Have you ever 
thought of the joy of getting acquainted with folk you have read 
about in the Bible? In my library is a book in which a man tries 
to explain on a natural basis how Noah got all those animals 
into that ark. I can't quite understand the man who tries to 
explain it, but I would like to sit down with Noah and talk to 
him, wouldn't you? That is what we will do some day. We will be 
able to ask him about it, and find out just how he did get all 
those animals in, and how they stayed for over a year. 
Then, I have thought about Abraham and that terrible day when he 
took his own son, at God's order, to kill him on top of Mt. 
Moriah. Oh, what a tremendous experience that must have been for 
Abraham! I have tried to imagine what that father felt as he 
toiled up the side of the mountain, knowing that with his own 
hand he had to kill his beloved son. Someday I want to ask 
Abraham about that awful experience, and he will explain just 
what it meant when he was about to take his own son's life. 
Then, I want to talk to the Centurion who stood by and saw Jesus 
crucified--the one who said, "Truly, this was the Son of God." 
I'd like to know more of the details of that terrible day, 
wouldn't you? And, mothers, wouldn't you like to talk to Mary? 
Thirty years of Jesus' life we know nothing about. Wouldn't you 
like to ask Mary about Jesus as a child and as a youth? 
Even in our wildest imagination we find it difficult to envision 
those special contacts with Bible characters we have learned to 
love and respect.  Nevertheless, it is thrilling to anticipate 
how it will be when we actually meet them.
 
Unimaginable Beauty
and Happiness

In 1 Corinthians 2:9 we are told, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear 
heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things 
which God hath prepared for them that love him." Now, to me that 
is a promise without parallel. There is nothing quite like it in 
all the Bible. When it says that I have never seen anything to 
compare with heaven, that is great enough, because I have seen 
some wonderful things in this world. 
I have visited many countries and seen things that I have felt 
to be absolutely unsurpassed. I saw the beautiful Taj Mahal in 
India. I have seen the towering mountains of Switzerland and the 
lovely tulip gardens of Holland, but heaven will be immeasurably 
more beautiful than any of those sights. Some of my friends went 
up into the vale of Kashmir, over the great passes of the 
Himalaya Mountains. I wanted to go there, too, while living in 
India, but there was no opportunity. They tell me it is just 
like heaven in those beautiful valleys! 
Some friends of mine in Pakistan went out into the Shangri-La 
country of Hunza, and they told me about the placid lakes and 
the beautiful mountains. It sounded wonderful; but, listen--the 
Bible says we have never heard about anything that would give us 
even the faintest idea of what heaven is really like. 
The text goes on to say that we have never even imagined the 
true beauty of it. It has not entered into the heart of man. 
Listen, I have a fertile imagination and I can imagine things 
that are just out of this world; but still the Bible says it 
won't even begin to approach the beauty and glory of heaven. 
One of the most pleasing aspects of that holy habitation is that 
it will be a clean city and a clean country. "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." Revelation 21:27. Can 
you picture an entire city, much less a planet, in which no foul 
smell of stale cigarette smoke will ever be known? In that day 
God will have a limitless universe where no chemical poison can 
exist. The golden streets will never know the litter of beer 
cans and tobacco butts. Defiling the body, defiling the air, and 
defiling the street will be unknown in God's Royal Capitol City. 
I grew up near Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the noisome 
smell of tobacco hung in the air of those city streets. As one 
of the world's largest markets for the filthy weed, it exuded 
the familiar, permeating odor of aging tobacco. What a joy it 
was to get away from the area where so much natural beauty was 
negated by the miasma of nicotine pollution. 
Later, I responded to a mission call to India, and our family 
located in the beautiful city of Bangalore. After settling into 
our cozy rented bungalow, an east wind sprang up and we found 
out what lay on the other side of the red wall across the 
street. A tobacco factory! For a few more years we had to endure 
the unpleasant odor of the processed poison. 
After returning to the United States I responded to an 
invitation to pastor a church in Louisville, Kentucky. Just as 
we crossed over the city line our nostrils were assailed by a 
very familiar smell. Tobacco again! But this time it was 
combined with the stench of fermented alcohol. Louisville, we 
discovered, was famous for its tobacco and distilleries. I am 
now convinced that there can be no real relief from these 
corrupting influences until I take up residence in that clean 
city of New Jerusalem. 
We have alluded to many of the dramatic changes in life-style 
that will mark those who inherit the new earth. We have tried to 
portray in human language the joy and delight of dwelling in a 
perfect environment, free from all sin and its despoiling 
influence. Each circumstance has been challenging and exciting. 
It makes us eager to leave this vale of tears as soon as 
possible. 
Our senses are stirred by the prospect of such physical benefits 
as no sickness, no pain, and no death. Yet the very highest 
pleasure reserved for the redeemed will have nothing to do with 
their life-style, their food, or their immortal nature. The 
sweetest delight of heaven will be to see Jesus face to face and 
to live with Him throughout eternity. What a prospect! To see 
the nail prints in His hands, and to open our minds to His own 
divine instruction in the science of salvation. 
Now the question I want to leave with you is: When that day 
dawns, and the saints of God march into that city, will you be 
among them? Abraham will be there; Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Peter, 
and Paul will be inside the gates. When they are inside, will 
you be inside, too? We can make a reservation now if we so 
desire. 
During World War II a lot of Americans were caught in Singapore, 
and even though the American government provided a means of 
helping them, they had difficulty getting out because of the 
vicissitudes of war. One day a very fine, well-dressed man 
walked into the American Embassy and said, "Book me out of here; 
I want to get out as quickly as possible." The ambassador said, 
"All right, where is your passport?" The man said, "I don't have 
a passport." The ambassador asked, "Aren't you a citizen?" He 
said, "Well, no, I really never did take out any papers, but 
I've lived there all my life. I have a business over there, and 
my bank account is there, and I love America. I'm an American." 
The ambassador said, "I'm sorry, but I can't do a thing for you. 
If you are not a citizen, I can't help you." The man went away 
sick with disappointment. 
A little while later another man came walking in, dressed in 
old, shabby clothes. He spoke with a heavy accent as he asked to 
be booked up to leave on the next plane. The ambassador asked, 
"Where are your papers?" The man replied, "Here they are. I had 
them taken out just before I left America." And the ambassador 
put out his hand and said, "All the power of the United States 
Government will stand behind you in getting out to safety." 
Both of those men loved America very much. Both of them claimed 
to be Americans, but only one of them had his papers; only one 
had his passport. Only one of them could make a reservation. And 
you can make reservations if you want to, but you must be a 
citizen of that heavenly kingdom before you can do it. If you 
want to do it, you can make your reservation right now. When 
that day comes, you can join with God's people of all the ages 
and dwell in this beautiful city under the ideal conditions 
which we have described. We must not miss that. 

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