What happens to the righteous when they die? (Heaven) (7)

Read Psalm 122

In Pilgrim’s Progress (p111) Pilgrim encounters the shepherds on the Delectable Mountains who show him terrible things that happen to those who do not endure.  They then, briefly, give him a view of the Celestial City.  To have an occasional view of heaven is essential for the believer.  You may remember that the Pilgrim of Psalm 120-134, when he determines that he has dwelt too long with one who hates peace (120) determines to make the journey to Jerusalem.  His first thought is how difficult this journey will be (121).  But then he remembers the joy of Jerusalem where sits the throne of David and the house of the Lord (122).  This vision of the City of God makes the hardships of the journey like nothing to him; he gladly agrees to go to the house of the Lord.  We need to set our affection on the things above so that we can endure the things below.   

Let us consider first …

·        Why must there be a heaven? 

o   There must be a place for reward.  We are told to lay up treasures in heaven and not on earth specifically so that our heart will be set on heaven (Matt. 6:19-20).  The treasures are the investment returns for a life lived for heavenly purposes while on this earth.

o   There must be a place of ultimate rest, a place with no tears, where the afflictions that are normal to this life are no more.  Heaven is that place (Rev. 21:4) where the former things have passed away.

o   There must be a place of redemption and inheritance.  God has promised the redemption of the body (Rom. 8:23) when the sons of God are revealed.  There is an inheritance laid up for these sons, in a place where it cannot be lost (1 Peter 1:4).  Heaven is that place.

o   There must be a place of release, when we are freed from this body and the limits it places on us (1 Cor. 15:42-49).  This will happen in connection with the Lord from heaven (v47) when we who have been made of dust bear the image of the heavenly Man (v48-49).  That is heaven!

o   There must be a place where worship of our Creator is unbroken and real.  Heaven is that place (Rev. 4:8-11), where rises the constant cry of Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come; where the awesome worth of our Lord is on every tongue.  It must be worship that is not limited to angelic beings but is enjoyed by people of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Rev. 7:9).

All of this is promised, and even more, it is demanded.  There must be a heaven, a place of reward, rest, redemption, release and real worship of God!  Heaven is that place.