From The Pastor,

Today is the last Tuesday in December, only two days after Christmas. I have preached two funerals in the last two days. One of a man I have known for a relatively short time. The other of a young woman that I have known for twenty years. The gentleman was a senior adult, while the young woman was only twenty-nine. Once again I have been reminded that death is no respecter of age. Death is a common denominator among all people, and it is the portal into eternity. Thoughts of eternity require that we consider heaven and hell.

Let me relate something to you that happened to me a few months ago in relationship to thoughts on heaven. It was fall, and the foliage of North Georgia was at its colorful peak. I was on my way to Ellijay just after dawn. The sun was coming up over the crest of Fort Mountain as I started the winding ascent. The morning sun was illuminating the landscape in blazing colors. Every curve and every hollow brought about a new display of beauty. I found myself anxiously anticipating the next turn to see what handiwork God would put on display. I rounded a curve and to my disappointment found myself in a pocket of mountain fog. Just then breaking through the top of the fog bank, the sun was brilliantly shining on a white cross adorning the steeple of a little country church against a breath taking blue sky.

I slowed and took in the sight. My mind was all of a sudden overwhelmed with thoughts of heaven. Heaven would be a lot like my journey up the mountain that morning. Upon my arrival, each moment would be filled with the anticipation of what glorious sight I would see next. There would be the street of gold, the walls of jasper, and the gates of pearl. I would see faces of loved ones and friends who had arrived before me. Each sight more spectacular than the last. Access, which had been prohibited since the Garden of Eden, to the tree of life will be granted. Then sight of all sights would be the face of my Lord. Heaven would be ablaze with his glory. Worship would be spontaneous and the most natural response to his presence.

The question needs to be asked. How do you see heaven in your future? Is it a certainty? If it isn’t, it can be through faith in Christ. Paul wrote about it this way, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Heaven is a certainty for all those who have put their faith and trust in Christ. A new life in Christ would be a great way to begin a new year.