This Sunday we explored what Jesus called paradise. It is the present heaven and is a place of the Spirit, not a physical place. Nevertheless, it is a real and relevant place we need to consider. The message was delivered by Jesse DeYoung, our Senior Executive pastor. Before one can talk about heaven, one must talk about hell as well. At our death, which everyone will face, when we pass from this life to the next, our destination is either heaven or hell. We go to be with the God who loves us beyond our wildest imagination, or we go to a place where God is entirely absent. We have no promise of how long that will be. Chances are that I, at 85, will go to heaven sooner than one who is 20. But we are reminded that, regardless of our age, the Psalmist says this. “So, teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12.

Jesse mentioned that things that are not physical are difficult to deal with. Yet he mentioned the many ways we deal with the intangible in physics, such as nuclear physics or quantum physics, because it is so different than we are aware of in the macroscopic realm. We infer from what we observe in physics. The inference is the best explanation of what we observe, but it is only true until we have more refined instruments which lead us to infer something else. Spirituality is real, whether from a religious aspect or not. In the real world, we try to understand love from something I feel. But love rises above feelings to actions of kindness towards even our enemies. We deal with the spirit world all the time, and it is as real as the physical world.

Heaven is now spiritual and has no physical aspect to it. C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying, “If you read history, you will find that Christians who did most for the present world were those who thought the most about the next… It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at heaven, and you will get earth ‘thrown in’ — aim at earth, and you will get neither.” So, one has a choice. Heaven is where there is no longer fear, anxiety, pain or death. Hell is where you are forever separated from one another and God.

The Bible notes a poignant moment when Jesus was crucified alongside Jesus. It is recorded in Luke 23:39-43. “39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 43 Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

For those who live life on earth with a heavenly mindset, we have these truths as noted in Revelation 6. In heaven:

• We are remembered for how we lived our lives. Verse 8• They raise their voices individually and together. Verse 10• They prayed and asked God to act on earth. Verse 10

While still in paradise, we are with Jesus, but it is a temporary place. This is where we dwell while waiting for the final heaven. While there:

• They live with expectations and anticipation of what is still to come in eternal heaven.• They experience the passing of time. Things unfold in sequence, not all at once.• They still feel a relational connection to people on earth, like family and fellow believers. While here we must decide. We are either living in the hope of heaven or the seed of darkness is growing inside us. Paul described the tension between wanting to be in heaven with Jesus and staying here because we still have work to do. “21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.” We each live in that tension.

I know this sentiment because I am old and tired. All my joints ache. I have no energy for friends or activities. Yet, I feel called to write and get the word out to as many as I can. Part of me wants to say, “Let it be done. Take me home.” Another part of me wants to stay for the benefit may be to bring richness to another’s faith or introduce someone to Jesus. I also want to stay for my wife. If you are younger, it may not be as pertinent, but it should be, because as Jesse and the quote from C.S. Lewis pointed out, thoughts of heaven make the world a far more interesting place. Without heaven, life becomes dreary and dull after a while. It loses its sense of meaning and purpose.

If you are not attending a church regularly, try us out. We welcome you to meet with us on Sunday, 10 AM, at the Historic Theater downtown.