“I go to prepare a place for you. I will come back to take you to be with me.” (John 14:3)
A couple of weeks ago I had a nuclear stress test. This test consists of receiving an injection of nuclear medicine. The thought of having nuclear medicine in me was a bit disconcerting. Doesn’t nuclear anything have the potential to explode! Following the injection, I had a thirty-five minute waiting period sitting in the lobby. I then received a scan, followed by an endurance test, followed by another forty-five minutes waiting in the lobby before having one final scan. While sitting in the lobby I watched people coming and going. One of the most revealing observations I made was a steady parade of people with canes, walkers, wheel chairs, and even some transported on hospital gurneys. If they did not need assistance, many were limping from arthritis pain, walking slowly to keep from falling or sitting with hands trembling. Then there was the array of doctors, nurses, and medical techs who were busy going from room to room. Watching the scenario, the thought came to me that we will see NONE of this medical parade in heaven. There, we will experience perfection.
What will it be like to live eternally with Christ in a place of perfection? What will it be like to live as God originally intended for his creation to live? Scripture does give us some glimpses of what heaven will be like. Jesus called heaven “Paradise” (Luke 23:43) He also said in John 14:2 that there were many “rooms” in his Father’s house, and he was going there to prepare one of those rooms for each of us. The word room in the Greek means a mansion. Did you know you are destined to live in a mansion? Revelation chapter 21 tells us about such wonderful sights in heaven, as a city made of precious stones, streets paved with gold, gates constructed of giant pearls, and eternal light that no darkness can penetrate.
But there are also some personal promises given to us regarding heaven that should bring great comfort. Philippians 3:21 tells us that Christ will “transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” What great news to know all disease and illness will not be able to affect our bodies ever again. And there is even more good news. Revelation 21:4 gives us the promise that God “will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death, or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” If that doesn’t punch your button, you don’t have a button!
We will see many beautiful and glorious things in heaven. but what we will not see are canes, walkers, wheel chairs, hospital gurneys, doctors, nurses, or medical techs. No arthritis pain, no cancer or heart attacks. And….no nuclear medicine. Don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for that perfection!
Darlene