FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Todd Gaddis

I look over my congregation each Sunday and see so many with mouths tightly closed during our songs. You say, “I’m one of those, Todd. I sing horribly. My voice is monotone. On top of that, I don’t like those choruses. Why, I even saw some people raise their hands! I’ll start singing when we get rid of the drums and the choir starts wearing robes again.” Praise God these won’t be issues in heaven. Instead of feeling self-conscious and looking around to see what others are doing, we’ll focus on the One worthy of our honor and worship. In addition to its praise, heaven is a place of unprecedented beauty. A little girl and her father were out for a walk in the country after dark. There were no streetlights, auto headlights, bright signs, etc.—nothing but a deep blue velvet sky studded with an array of shining stars. “Daddy,” the daughter said, “if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what do you think the right side will be like?” Jesus assured the repentant thief on the cross beside Him, “Today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). “This Persian word meaning ‘garden’ is used in the Old Testament of a number of gardens. Specifically important is its use for the Garden of Eden.” 3 Obviously, Christ was pointing to the beautiful surroundings they would soon enjoy. In his view of heaven, John saw beautiful stone, a rainbow like an emerald in appearance, a sea of glass like crystal and elders with golden crowns on their heads. (Revelation 4:3-6). I once traveled with my family through several western states. I observed many breathtaking sights, my favorite being the Grand Teton Mountains in northwestern Wyoming. I stood on the patio of the Jackson Lake Lodge transfixed, gazing at the jagged, snowcapped range that sprang forth from a blanket of green marshland. If we can have such pinch-me-to-see-if-I’m-really-awake encounters on this fallen planet, what more must await us in Heaven? Heaven will contain a continual source of surreal sights and sounds— none of which we have been privy to here on earth.

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