Tradition is a hard thing to let go of. Born of good intentions, they morph info dogmatism. People will even kill for their traditions. Even when presented proof contrary to what is tradition, people will hold on to them nonetheless.
If the reader is feeling particularly persecuted by this statement then it may help to realize that everyone of us has traditions we hold on to and should constantly question them. They are formed from and are sustained by our preconceptions. Traditions in themselves are not bad or good. They are a tool which, like so many other tools, can be used for good or for ill.
Today, I want to take the reader through an exercise of releasing one’s preconceptions and considering evidence just as it is presented. When letting go of old preconceptions it is often easy to simply form new ones. Much like calcium builds up in a water pipe, the cleaning out of preconceptions is a constant process. As it is written in the Bible, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)
Let us begin with two questions, both related. What is heaven like and what will we be doing there?
There are a number of answers I have heard to these questions. I pick this subject because in the years I have gone to churches very seldom is this subject broached. In fact, this last church I’ve been to for 3 years and not once have I heard a sermon on the subject.
The secular world certainly has its own input on the subject. I am sure we are all familiar with the idea that we will be strumming harps, wearing white robes, floating on clouds and wearing angel wings.
I have also heard the response of “I’ll be looking at the face of Jesus” more than once. I’ve heard this one so often and so vehemently that I can only guess that some teacher is teaching this to people.
There is also the idea that Heaven is a city of golden streets where everyone gets to do whatever it is they like to do most. Forever. Regardless of what your idea of what heaven is and what you might be doing there, I ask that you try hard to put those ideas away and consider the passages I am about to present. Let them paint a picture that will either reinforce your preconceptions or correct them.
Instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven with a person seated on the throne. The person sitting there looked like jasper and carnelian, and there was a rainbow around the throne that looked like an emerald. Around the throne were 24 other thrones, and on these thrones sat 24 elders wearing white robes and gold victor’s crowns on their heads. Flashes of lightning, noises, and peals of thunder came from the throne. Burning in front of the throne were seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God. In front of the throne was something like a sea of glass as clear as crystal. In the center of the throne and on each side of the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature was like an ox, the third living creature had a face like a human, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and were full of eyes inside and out. Without stopping day or night they were saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the 24 elders bow down and worship in front of the one who sits on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever. They throw their victor’s crowns in front of the throne and say, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor, and power, because you created all things; they came into existence and were created because of your will.” (Rev 4:2-11)
From this passage we learn several things. Heaven is colorful. There is no mention of clouds here. There is thunder and lightning at God’s throne. Surely evidence of power. There is light around the throne like a rainbow.
There are 25 thrones in all in this room. At least on this occasion there are seven flaming torches.
Revelation 7:11 tells us that angels and the living creatures and the elders are separate entities. We will not be turning into angels when we get there.
1 Corinthians 6:3 tells us that we will be judging angels. I can’t tell you exactly how that will work but that is what the book has written in it.
Reading Revelation even seems to hint that heaven is not actually our final destination. The throne room scene described in chapter 4 takes place during the final years of this age. Chapter 21-22 describe a new heaven and a new earth. The new city of Jerusalem is described there. It comes down from heaven, it doesn’t stay there. It has 12 gates made of one large pearl each.
There is no need for a sun or a moon. There are nations and kings of earth at this time. Apparently there will be no need to lock your doors at night as there is no night and there are no detestable people there.
There will be no marrying or giving in marriage. Jesus told us that Himself.
Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken because you don’t know the Scriptures or God’s power, because in the resurrection, people neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven. (Mat 22:29-30)
Jesus answered them, “Aren’t you mistaken because you don’t know the Scriptures or God’s power? When people rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven. (Mar 12:24-25)
Also remember when reading these descriptions, that we are told:
But as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” But God has revealed those things to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God. (1Co 2:9-10)
It comes from Isaiah:
Since ancient times no one has heard, and no ear has perceived, and no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isa 64:4)
Finally, we have one description of what we will be like to some extent.
Dear friends, we are now God’s children, but what we will be like has not been revealed yet. We know that when the Messiah is revealed, we will be like him, because we will see him as he is. (1Jn 3:2)
I have written all of this to say: Practice reading the words that are on the page. There are a number of beliefs that have at best a tenuous basis in the bible. They sound nice and may seem harmless, but for that tradition leads to preconceptions which leads one to block out the truth when one hears it.