Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Reflection - Thinking of Heaven - How Senior Think About Heaven

Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Part V: THINKING OF HEAVEN, Chapter 31, "What Will Heaven Be Like?", Question 2, Page 206.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
 

As we age, we realise that it would not be long before we are in our eternal home
PHOTO: As we age, we realise that it would not be long before we are in our eternal home. How would you think about heaven?
When Paul, the ageing apostle, was imprisoned in Rome, he no doubt thought much about what would happen to him. Would he be martyred, or would God allow him to continue his ministry for a few more years? In his letter to the Philippians, he reveals some of these thoughts: "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body . . . so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me" (Philippians 1:23-26, emphasis added).

For Paul, heaven was defined as being with Christ. The alternative was being with God's people. In putting it this way, Paul summarised the heart of Christian living - which is being with the Lord and His people. Another way this is seen is in what the Lord himself taught - that the heart of the Law is love for God and neighbour (Matthew 22:34-40). The call to Christian discipleship is a call to enter into holy and loving relationships with God and others. It is essentially a relationship matter.

We now return to our previous questions about heaven. What will heaven be like? Paul quoted Isaiah by declaring; "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). No one can fully imagine or even accurately depict how heaven will be like for us. But Paul did add a clause immediately after his quote from Isaiah: "these are things God has revealed to us by his Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:10).


How would such thoughts bring you peace and hope?
We now have some idea of how heaven will be like. It should not be conceived of in terms of what we will do, or even who we will be, but rather who we will be with (Revelation 21:3). We must approach heaven not with a "to do" list or in terms of some Gnostic idea of self-fulfilment, but rather in terms of relationship. In heaven, we will be with the eternal God who created and saved us, who sustains us moment by moment. He is an infinitely creative Being in whose presence we will not get bored. We will get bored with activities and ourselves but we will never get bored with the eternal God. His love will remove our deep boredom.

This much we know from Scripture. We already have a brief description of heaven. The reality, however, awaits us in the future, and we can look forward to it with great anticipation. And yes, we will sing, but in a state of self-forgetfulness and without needing to check our watches, in the presence of divine majesty.
Picture saved by monique drees - van der ham to digital art: Moonzaphire
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Hbqw1dau0fX54VPHNMNCQgfd-yRpBPP03K1EmiWZF9H_hZncqp_a9Yat3HVTCOz7SwkR6T_pjTrfTXW-uZvtNIl1R2Yw0k4mcF33RVbXIsWfd1sjAcqLWCkJNCuQDgS7Krw0aX9DFd4/s714/03eea571e4f4540c9f3518f7ee4bc3d7_1.png
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/03/ee/a5/03eea571e4f4540c9f3518f7ee4bc3d7.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298926493992772223/


As we age, we realise that it would not be long before we are in our eternal home. How would you think about heaven, and how would such thoughts bring you peace and hope?
 
As we age, we realise that it would not be long before we are in our eternal home. How would you think about heaven? [1]
When Paul, the ageing apostle, was imprisoned in Rome, he no doubt thought much about what would happen to him. Would he be martyred, or would God allow him to continue his ministry for a few more years? In his letter to the Philippians, he reveals some of these thoughts: "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body . . . so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me" (Philippians 1:23-26, emphasis added).


How would you think about heaven?
PHOTO: How would you think about heaven?
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, he reveals some of these thoughts: "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body . . . so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me" (Philippians 1:23-26).
Picture posted by monateka
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNC3WqPoUSawalInzO7-seq2fJpABSIHKCraDmKeQmqCgNweQcVv6zC4qjE5PCn-BqGJSsENgHEK_1Kgm1Nx6Jb-HtUGsW-a_s6z4sxw4ky2vOt3SmXDYxNJuBzJdX8SQvAxMTVsdc4LY/s576/424639.jpg
https://monateka.com/images/424639.jpg
https://monateka.com/article/172152/


For Paul, heaven was defined as being with Christ. The alternative was being with God's people. In putting it this way, Paul summarised the heart of Christian living - which is being with the Lord and His people. Another way this is seen is in what the Lord himself taught - that the heart of the Law is love for God and neighbour (Matthew 22:34-40). The call to Christian discipleship is a call to enter into holy and loving relationships with God and others. It is essentially a relationship matter.


For Paul, heaven was defined as being with Christ.
PHOTO: For Paul, heaven was defined as being with Christ. The alternative was being with God's people. In putting it this way, Paul summarised the heart of Christian living - which is being with the Lord and His people.
Picture posted by monateka
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PVPL867B49aT1Qy3RWiiLbo4IpdKMgX7YONvRJEjyhB9-tqPBbHI3mb3gNO_WrUGbG83de1CEGy2tcEKOyYkEcr9riCIkrbrifoLlah9BhwzuaejFLOdqOANfWZv3yMn-71BuCDZSy4/s1800/ghhgppwspqy.jpeg
https://img.17qq.com/images/ghhgppwspqy.jpeg
https://line.17qq.com/articles/snfkwqmsy.html


We now return to our previous questions about heaven. What will heaven be like? Paul quoted Isaiah by declaring; "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). No one can fully imagine or even accurately depict how heaven will be like for us. But Paul did add a clause immediately after his quote from Isaiah: "these are things God has revealed to us by his Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:10).


What will heaven be like?
PHOTO:  What will heaven be like?
No one can fully imagine or even accurately depict how heaven will be like for us. But Paul did add a clause immediately after his quote from Isaiah: "these are things God has revealed to us by his Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:10).
Picture posted by @Nastroy.net on 27 May 2020 at 22:18
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZmQZveOF6ad8hoXDCawZxWHWSmfpQILjcszcPNEZNo6geUGhiaaHWwBEJ_EY7NYEyiBg7EEixR62nZKypVNZM_9JEOYjPeFVRN1RCN7HBRriII0wnGSdRa-anEZWDfh_-XwhQ4spI5M/s899/971836-1590589020.jpg
https://www.nastroy.net/pic/images/202005/971836-1590589020.jpg
https://news.myseldon.com/ru/news/index/230689723


How would such thoughts bring you peace and hope? [1]
We now have some idea of how heaven will be like. It should not be conceived of in terms of what we will do, or even who we will be, but rather who we will be with (Revelation 21:3). We must approach heaven not with a "to do" list or in terms of some Gnostic idea of self-fulfilment, but rather in terms of relationship. In heaven, we will be with the eternal God who created and saved us, who sustains us moment by moment. He is an infinitely creative Being in whose presence we will not get bored. We will get bored with activities and ourselves but we will never get bored with the eternal God. His love will remove our deep boredom.


How would such thoughts bring you peace and hope?
PHOTO: How would such thoughts bring you peace and hope?
We now have some idea of how heaven will be like. It should not be conceived of in terms of what we will do, or even who we will be, but rather who we will be with (Revelation 21:3).  In heaven, we will be with the eternal God who created and saved us, who sustains us moment by moment. He is an infinitely creative Being in whose presence we will not get bored. We will get bored with activities and ourselves but we will never get bored with the eternal God. His love will remove our deep boredom.
Painting by by Luther Terry - Jacob’s Dream
Picture posted by Victoria Mansion
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWxpSJjeSAEFac3FiESgDTc7X2F5gxeXy8T4dvxPcelaC-HsUO3idBF9fJS-KgzVz-Q2blvB-x5Rw8qkt3yaoCJqpRkUG47gLTtE9nzdp08fJ1ByuzOvV3pJVc7DGAa29LhsI4tguCL4/s1168/Jacobs-Dream-1984.102-e1494256427540_1.png
https://victoriamansion.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Jacobs-Dream-1984.102-e1494256427540.jpg
https://victoriamansion.org/jacobs-dream-1984-102/


This much we know from Scripture. We already have a brief description of heaven. The reality, however, awaits us in the future, and we can look forward to it with great anticipation. And yes, we will sing, but in a state of self-forgetfulness and without needing to check our watches, in the presence of divine majesty.


We already have a brief description of heaven.
PHOTO: We already have a brief description of heaven. The reality, however, awaits us in the future, and we can look forward to it with great anticipation. And yes, we will sing, but in a state of self-forgetfulness and without needing to check our watches, in the presence of divine majesty.
Picture posted by Depositphotos

 Dear LordPHOTO: "Dear Lord, we like Paul, the ageing apostle who was imprisoned in Rome, also realise that it would not be long before we are in our eternal home. He no doubt thought much about what would happen to him. Would he be martyred, or would God allow him to continue his ministry for a few more years? In his letter to the Philippians, he reveals that he is torn between the two: the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for us that he remain in the body, so that through his being with us again our boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of him.

We learn for Paul, heaven was defined as being with Christ. The alternative was being with God's people. In putting it this way, Paul summarised the heart of Christian living - which is being with the Lord and His people. Another way this is seen is in what the Lord himself taught - that the heart of the Law is love for God and neighbour. The call to Christian discipleship is a call to enter into holy and loving relationships with God and others. It is essentially a relationship matter.

Lord, from Paul’s quotation of Isaiah, heaven is a place ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him.’ This mean no one can fully imagine or even accurately depict how heaven will be like for us. But Paul did add a clause immediately after his quote from Isaiah: ‘these are things God has revealed to us by his Spirit’.

Thank You, Lord, for such thoughts bring us peace and hope. We now have some idea of how heaven will be like. It should not be conceived of in terms of what we will do, or even who we will be, but rather who we will be with.

We must approach heaven not with a ‘to do’ list or in terms of some Gnostic idea of self-fulfilment, but rather in terms of relationship. In heaven, we will be with the eternal God who created and saved us, who sustains us moment by moment. He is an infinitely creative Being in whose presence we will not get bored. We will get bored with activities and ourselves but we will never get bored with the eternal God. His love will remove our deep boredom.

Lord, this much we know from Scripture. We already have a brief description of heaven. The reality, however, awaits us in the future, and we can look forward to it with great anticipation. We pray that we will sing, but in a state of self-forgetfulness and without needing to check our watches, in the presence of divine majesty.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture posted by m.post
Reflection - Thinking of Heaven - How Senior Think About Heaven
Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Part V: THINKING OF HEAVEN, Chapter 31, "What Will Heaven Be Like?", Question 2, Page 206.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


Other Books

Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 
 

Reference
[1] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, Part V: THINKING OF HEAVEN, Chapter 31, "What Will Heaven Be Like?", Page 204-206.


Links
Other Books - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
at