Change and Decay Were Not So in the Beginning
Look around us, and one reality is impossible to escape: everything in this present world is changing.
Human bodies grow old. Health can give way to sickness. Buildings deteriorate. Nations rise and fall. Relationships change. Generations appear and disappear. Natural disasters remind us how fragile earthly life can be. And eventually, every human body returns to the dust.
Yet the Bible tells us something remarkable:
It was not so in the beginning.
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
When God completed His creation, Scripture says:
“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” — Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
God did not create the world as the broken, suffering, dying world we now experience.
Humanity was created in the image of God:
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” — Genesis 1:27 (KJV)
God gave humanity stewardship over the earth. There was life, order, fellowship, and the goodness of God’s creation.
Then something happened that changed the human condition and affected the creation entrusted to humanity.
Sin Entered the World
Genesis 3 records the deception of humanity by the serpent.
Revelation identifies that ancient serpent with Satan:
“That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…” — Revelation 12:9 (KJV)
Humanity disobeyed God.
Sin entered.
And with sin came death.
Paul explains:
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…” — Romans 5:12 (KJV)
God had warned Adam concerning disobedience. After the Fall, the consequences became visible throughout human existence and creation itself.
The ground was cursed.
Thorns appeared.
Human labor became painful.
And humanity, formed from the dust, would return to it.
“Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” — Genesis 3:19 (KJV)
Creation Became Subject to Corruption
Romans gives us an extraordinary description of what happened to creation:
“For the creature was made subject to vanity…” — Romans 8:20 (KJV)
And:
“The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” — Romans 8:22 (KJV)
This is the world in which we presently live.
Disease, suffering, disaster, deterioration, mortality, and death belong to the condition of a creation subjected to corruption after the Fall.
This does not mean that every person’s sickness or every disaster can be attributed to a particular sin committed by the individual who suffers.
When Jesus was asked whether a man’s blindness resulted from his own sin or his parents’ sin, He answered:
“Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents…” — John 9:3 (KJV)
There is an important distinction between the entrance of suffering and death into the human condition through the Fall and blaming an individual’s suffering upon that person’s particular sin.
There Is Also an Unseen Conflict
Scripture reveals another reality behind the visible world.
Peter warns:
“Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Paul warns believers not to be:
“ignorant of his devices.” — 2 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)
The biblical explanation of the world around us therefore goes deeper than what our physical eyes can see.
Creation has fallen.
Humanity has sinned.
Death has entered.
Creation groans.
And an unseen spiritual conflict continues within this present age.
But this is not where the biblical story ends.
Romans says that creation itself:
“shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption…” — Romans 8:21 (KJV)
The God who created everything very good has not abandoned His creation.
Jesus Christ came.
Redemption has entered the story.
Death will not reign forever.
The curse will not remain forever.
And the God who was present before creation began will still be God when every work of darkness has ended.
This pillar therefore asks us to look beyond the change and decay all around us and consider the much greater realities Scripture reveals:
What happened to God’s good creation?
What unseen spiritual powers operate within this present age?
What does Scripture reveal about the heavens?
What happens when we die?
What are resurrection and final judgment?
What does Scripture teach about hell?
What is the new heaven and new earth?
And ultimately:
Where will you spend eternity?
A Prayer in a Groaning Creation
Almighty God, You are the Creator of heaven and earth. Everything You made was very good. You are not the author of sin, and there is no darkness in You.
We confess that humanity turned away from Your commandment, and through sin death entered the world. We see the consequences of the Fall around us and within us. Creation groans, bodies weaken, people suffer, and everything earthly reminds us that this present world is not as it was in the beginning.
Have mercy upon us, O God.
Open our eyes to recognize the deception of the enemy. Keep us from questioning Your Word when You have spoken and from believing the voice of the deceiver above the voice of our Creator.
When we see disease, suffering, disaster, death, and decay, keep us from accusing You of imperfection. Remind us that You created what was very good and that sin brought humanity and creation into corruption.
But do not leave our eyes fixed upon the Fall. Turn them toward Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Thank You that corruption will not reign forever. Thank You that death will not have the final word. Thank You that the creation which now groans awaits deliverance.
Teach us to understand the times in which we live, to recognize the spiritual conflict around us, and above all, to remain steadfast in Jesus Christ.
In His holy name, Amen.
The Fall Changed the Human Condition and the Creation Around Us
When sin entered the world, its consequences extended far beyond one act of disobedience in Eden.
Paul writes:
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…” — Romans 5:12 (KJV)
Humanity, originally created for life with God, became subject to mortality.
God had warned Adam:
“In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” — Genesis 2:17 (KJV)
After the Fall, God declared:
“For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” — Genesis 3:19 (KJV)
And Scripture later summarizes the consequence:
“For the wages of sin is death…” — Romans 6:23 (KJV)
Death is therefore not presented in Scripture as humanity’s friend or natural fulfillment. Paul calls it:
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed…” — 1 Corinthians 15:26 (KJV)
Disease Exists Within a Mortal Creation
Disease belongs to a world in which human bodies have become mortal, weak, and subject to corruption.
Paul contrasts our present bodies with what God will accomplish in the resurrection:
“It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.” — 1 Corinthians 15:42–43 (KJV)
Our present bodies can become injured.
Cells can malfunction.
Organs can fail.
Infections can spread.
Strength can diminish.
Bodies age and eventually die.
These realities belong to the mortal condition of humanity after the Fall.
Yet we must again distinguish the fallen condition of humanity generally from the claim that every individual illness is punishment for a particular personal sin.
Jesus rejected that assumption in John 9:1–3.
The Fall explains why sickness and death exist in the human condition. It does not give us permission to accuse every suffering person of having personally caused his or her affliction through sin.
Disaster Exists Within a Groaning Creation
The consequences of the Fall are not limited to the human body.
Paul says creation itself is in:
“the bondage of corruption.” — Romans 8:21 (KJV)
The earth we inhabit is therefore both God’s creation and a creation presently groaning under corruption.
Storms destroy.
Earthquakes occur.
Floods devastate communities.
Fires consume.
Droughts bring suffering.
Again, Jesus warned against automatically concluding that those who die in disasters are worse sinners than those who survive.
Speaking about those killed when the tower in Siloam fell, Jesus asked:
“Think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?” — Luke 13:4 (KJV)
His answer was no.
He used the tragedy instead to confront everyone with the need for repentance.
Everything Earthly Bears the Mark of Passing Away
The Fall also helps us understand the decay that surrounds us.
Peter writes:
“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.” — 1 Peter 1:24 (KJV)
Then:
“The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.”
Human beauty fades.
Physical strength declines.
Possessions deteriorate.
Buildings crumble.
Generations pass.
But Peter immediately contrasts all of this with something that does not decay:
“But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.” — 1 Peter 1:25 (KJV)
Already we see the great contrast running through this entire pillar:
creation changes; God remains.
human glory fades; God’s Word remains.
the body dies; God promises resurrection.
Human Progress Cannot Reverse the Fall
Human knowledge can accomplish remarkable things.
Medicine can treat disease.
Engineering can make buildings safer.
Agriculture can improve food production.
Technology can make communication almost instantaneous.
These are genuine benefits.
But humanity has never discovered a technology capable of reversing Genesis 3.
We can treat many diseases, but we cannot abolish mortality.
We can prepare for natural disasters, but we cannot remove creation from its bondage to corruption.
We can extend human life, but we cannot make ourselves eternally alive.
And technological progress cannot cleanse the human heart.
Jesus said:
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts…” — Mark 7:21 (KJV)
Wars, violence, hatred, greed, exploitation, and injustice reveal that humanity’s deepest problem cannot be solved merely by increasing knowledge.
James asks:
“From whence come wars and fightings among you?” — James 4:1 (KJV)
He points to desires operating within fallen humanity.
We do not merely live in a broken environment.
Something has gone wrong within humanity itself.
But the Visible World Is Not the Whole Story
At this point another dimension of Scripture becomes necessary.
The Fall explains why death and corruption entered human experience.
But Scripture also reveals that humanity does not live within a purely material universe.
There is an unseen spiritual conflict.
Paul writes:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world…” — Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
This does not replace the doctrine of the Fall.
It adds another dimension to our understanding of life within the fallen world.
The world is corrupted by sin.
Human hearts are fallen.
Creation groans.
And Scripture reveals spiritual powers actively opposing God’s purposes.
A Prayer for Redemption in a Fallen World
Almighty God, the world around us groans beneath the consequences of sin. Our bodies are weak, creation is subject to corruption, and our own hearts reveal how desperately humanity needs You.
Forgive us for believing that we can repair by human wisdom what only You can redeem.
We thank You for every gift of knowledge, medicine, wisdom, and human skill that relieves suffering. But keep us from placing our ultimate confidence in created things rather than in the Creator.
Search our hearts, O God. Where sin has taken root, expose it. Where pride rules, humble us. Where deception has entered, illuminate us by Your truth.
Give us spiritual understanding so that we do not judge everything merely by what our physical eyes can see. Your Word tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood alone. Teach us to recognize the spiritual conflict without becoming afraid or consumed by it.
Above all, turn our eyes toward Jesus Christ. For what humanity cannot repair, You have undertaken to redeem.
Thank You that death will be destroyed, corruption will give way to incorruption, and creation itself will not groan forever.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
The Unseen Conflict Behind the Visible World
The suffering and decay around us cannot be understood only by looking at what is physically visible.
Scripture reveals an unseen spiritual conflict.
Paul writes:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” — Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
Behind the visible world, Scripture reveals spiritual beings, spiritual rebellion, deception, temptation, and opposition to the purposes of God.
Satan Is a Created Being, Not God’s Equal
Before considering the activity of Satan and fallen spiritual powers, one truth must remain absolutely clear:
Satan is not the opposite equal of God.
God alone is Creator.
Speaking of Jesus Christ, Paul writes:
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible…” — Colossians 1:16 (KJV)
This includes:
“thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.”
Whatever authority spiritual beings possess, they are not self-existent.
God is Creator.
They are creatures.
Satan therefore does not possess unlimited power, unlimited knowledge, or sovereignty.
Satan Is a Deceiver
Jesus described the devil as:
“a murderer from the beginning”
and:
“a liar, and the father of it.” — John 8:44 (KJV)
Revelation calls him:
“that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.” — Revelation 12:9 (KJV)
Peter warns:
“Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Deception is therefore one of Satan’s principal weapons.
This takes us directly back to Eden.
The serpent did not create humanity’s capacity for choice, nor did Satan force Adam and Eve to disobey God.
He deceived and tempted.
Humanity disobeyed.
Sin entered.
Death followed.
The Prince of the Power of the Air
Paul gives Satan another striking description:
“The prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” — Ephesians 2:2 (KJV)
Elsewhere he writes:
“The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…” — 2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
This does not mean Satan owns the earth or possesses ultimate sovereignty over it.
Scripture declares:
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof…” — Psalm 24:1 (KJV)
Satan’s influence is real.
His sovereignty is not.
Spiritual Powers Can Operate Behind Earthly Affairs
Daniel 10 gives us one of Scripture’s clearest glimpses into an unseen conflict associated with earthly kingdoms.
An angelic messenger tells Daniel:
“The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…” — Daniel 10:13 (KJV)
Later the messenger refers to:
“the prince of Persia”
and:
“the prince of Grecia.” — Daniel 10:20 (KJV)
The passage presents more than ordinary human political activity. Daniel’s prayer was occurring on earth while a conflict involving spiritual beings was taking place beyond what Daniel could physically see.
This gives us an important biblical principle:
Visible events can have an unseen spiritual dimension.
However, Daniel 10 does not explicitly call the location of this conflict “the second heaven.” We should preserve that distinction when we later discuss the heavens.
Human Beings Are Not the Ultimate Enemy
This truth should profoundly affect how Christians view other people.
Paul does not say:
“We wrestle against flesh and blood.”
He says:
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood.”
People may oppose us.
People may deceive us.
People may persecute us.
People may participate in evil.
But behind the visible conflict Scripture reveals a deeper spiritual battle.
Paul even speaks of people being:
“taken captive by him at his will.” — 2 Timothy 2:26 (KJV)
This should produce discernment without producing hatred.
Our response to people should include truth, prayer, compassion, and the Gospel.
The Battle Often Targets the Mind
Spiritual warfare is not limited to dramatic manifestations.
Much of it involves truth and deception.
Paul warns:
“Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” — 2 Corinthians 11:14 (KJV)
Something can therefore appear attractive, enlightened, spiritual, or harmless and still lead away from truth.
This is why Paul describes spiritual warfare partly in terms of thoughts:
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God…” — 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
The battle involves what humanity believes about:
God.
Truth.
Sin.
Jesus Christ.
Human identity.
Good and evil.
Eternity.
The mind is therefore an important battleground.
Scripture Also Shows That Satanic Activity Can Affect Physical Circumstances
We should not go beyond Scripture here, but neither should we ignore what Scripture records.
The book of Job describes Satan being permitted to act against Job within limits established by God.
Job’s servants reported:
“The fire of God is fallen from heaven…” — Job 1:16 (KJV)
Another reported:
“There came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house…” — Job 1:19 (KJV)
Later:
“So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils…” — Job 2:7 (KJV)
These passages demonstrate that Scripture can associate satanic activity with physical suffering and circumstances.
But Job also establishes an equally important truth.
God told Satan:
“Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.” — Job 2:6 (KJV)
Satan operated under limits.
He was not sovereign.
Therefore, we should not attribute every storm, disease, accident, or disaster directly to demonic activity. Scripture does not authorize us to make such claims indiscriminately.
But neither should we deny that Scripture presents occasions in which spiritual evil affects physical circumstances.
Jesus Christ Has Authority Over the Powers of Darkness
The Gospel accounts repeatedly show evil spirits confronted by Jesus Christ.
A demon cried:
“I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” — Mark 1:24 (KJV)
Jesus answered:
“Hold thy peace, and come out of him.” — Mark 1:25 (KJV)
There was no struggle between equal powers.
Christ commanded.
The spirit obeyed.
After His resurrection Jesus declared:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” — Matthew 28:18 (KJV)
Paul says Christ is:
“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion…” — Ephesians 1:21 (KJV)
And through the Cross He:
“spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” — Colossians 2:15 (KJV)
This is where Christian teaching about spiritual warfare must remain centered.
Not on Satan.
Not on demons.
Not on fear.
On Jesus Christ.
The Visible World Is Only Part of Reality
We therefore arrive at an important conclusion.
The Fall brought sin, death, and corruption into human experience.
Creation groans.
Human hearts are fallen.
And within this fallen age, Scripture reveals an active spiritual conflict involving Satan and other powers of darkness.
Yet above every principality and power stands Jesus Christ.
This naturally raises another question.
Scripture speaks repeatedly about “heaven” and “the heavens.”
What are these heavens?
And where do these different spiritual and celestial realities fit within the biblical picture?
A Prayer for Spiritual Discernment
Almighty God, open our spiritual understanding. Your Word tells us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, and we acknowledge that there are realities beyond what our physical eyes can see.
Deliver us from spiritual ignorance, but also deliver us from fear and unhealthy fascination with darkness.
Keep our eyes upon Jesus Christ.
Expose the lies of the enemy. Where Satan seeks to blind minds, let the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ shine. Where deception has entered our thinking, correct us through Your Word. Where darkness seeks to manipulate human hearts, bring men and women into the liberty of Jesus Christ.
Teach us never to hate people whom Christ came to save. Remind us that our warfare is not against flesh and blood. Give us compassion for those who are deceived, courage to proclaim truth, and wisdom to recognize the devices of the enemy.
Clothe us with the whole armour of God. Make us strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
And let us never forget that Jesus Christ is far above all principality, power, might, and dominion.
In His mighty name, Amen.
The First Heaven — The Heavens Above the Earth
Lift your eyes toward the heavens.
Before humanity built cities, crossed oceans, studied the stars, or attempted to understand the universe, the heavens were already there—the workmanship of Almighty God.
Scripture does not speak only of heaven. It repeatedly speaks of “heavens.”
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” — Psalm 19:1 (KJV)
Moses declared:
“Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.” — Deuteronomy 10:14 (KJV)
Nehemiah worshipped Him as Creator:
“Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host…” — Nehemiah 9:6 (KJV)
And Paul later tells us that he was:
“caught up to the third heaven.” — 2 Corinthians 12:2 (KJV)
There are dimensions of God’s creation beyond the earth upon which we live. There are things visible to our eyes and realities that remain unseen.
But our journey begins with the heaven God reveals to us in the opening chapter of Scripture.
God Called the Firmament Heaven
On the second day of creation:
“God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters…” — Genesis 1:6 (KJV)
Then:
“And God called the firmament Heaven.” — Genesis 1:8 (KJV)
This firmament stretches above the earth and contains wonders so familiar to us that we can easily cease to marvel at them.
Birds fly through it.
Clouds gather within it.
Rain descends from it.
The sun rules the day.
The moon shines by night.
The stars appear across its vast expanse.
All of them exist because God commanded them to exist.
The Living Creatures of the Firmament
God said:
“…fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.” — Genesis 1:20 (KJV)
Then:
“God created… every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” — Genesis 1:21 (KJV)
Consider the birds that move through the heavens above us.
Some cross continents.
Some soar high above mountains.
Some are so small that they can rest upon the branch of a tree.
Yet Jesus said:
“Behold the fowls of the air… your heavenly Father feedeth them.” — Matthew 6:26 (KJV)
And concerning the sparrow:
“One of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” — Matthew 10:29 (KJV)
The heavens therefore reveal not only God’s creative power, but also His providence.
The God who created the vast firmament sees the sparrow within it.
And Jesus tells us:
“Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” — Matthew 10:31 (KJV)
The Rain of Heaven
Scripture speaks of:
“the rain of heaven.” — Deuteronomy 11:11 (KJV)
The Psalmist praises the One:
“Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth…” — Psalm 147:8 (KJV)
And Paul declares:
“He gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” — Acts 14:17 (KJV)
Rain falls upon the earth.
Seeds receive water.
Fields become fruitful.
Rivers are replenished.
Animals drink.
Human beings receive food.
We may plant.
We may cultivate.
We may harvest.
But humanity did not create the heavens from which the rain comes.
We live every day within systems established by a wisdom infinitely greater than our own.
The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars
Then God filled the firmament with lights.
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night…” — Genesis 1:14 (KJV)
Scripture continues:
“And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” — Genesis 1:16 (KJV)
Then the Bible tells us plainly:
“And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.” — Genesis 1:17 (KJV)
The sun.
The moon.
The stars.
Scripture places them within the firmament of heaven that God created.
Look upward on a clear night and consider what David considered:
“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained…” — Psalm 8:3 (KJV)
And then comes the humbling question:
“What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” — Psalm 8:4 (KJV)
The heavens make us conscious of our smallness.
But they also reveal something astonishing about God.
The One who created such immensity is mindful of humanity.
He Calls the Stars by Name
Isaiah tells us:
“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things…” — Isaiah 40:26 (KJV)
Then:
“He calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.”
What humanity sees as an overwhelming multitude is completely known to God.
The stars do not confuse Him.
Their number does not overwhelm Him.
Their distances do not exceed His knowledge.
The Creator is infinitely greater than what He created.
Worship the Creator, Not the Heavens
Because of their magnificence, humanity has repeatedly been tempted to worship the heavenly bodies.
God warned Israel:
“Lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars… shouldest be driven to worship them…” — Deuteronomy 4:19 (KJV)
The sun is not God.
The moon is not God.
The stars are not God.
The heavens themselves are not God.
They are His creation.
Paul describes the tragedy of humanity when people:
“Worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.” — Romans 1:25 (KJV)
The heavens should never receive our worship.
They should awaken our worship of the One who made them.
Beauty and Groaning Beneath the Same Heavens
Yet something has changed in the creation we experience.
The rain that nourishes crops can become a devastating flood.
The wind that cools the evening can become destructive.
The earth that produces food can experience drought.
Bodies grow old.
Living things die.
Creation remains magnificent, yet creation groans.
Paul writes:
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” — Romans 8:22 (KJV)
This is the world in which we presently live:
glorious because God created it, yet groaning because corruption has entered it.
Every beautiful sunrise reminds us of the Creator.
Every sign of decay reminds us that creation awaits redemption.
Even the Winds Obey Jesus Christ
One day Jesus and His disciples encountered a violent storm.
The disciples feared for their lives.
Then Jesus:
“arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” — Matthew 8:26 (KJV)
The disciples asked:
“What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” — Matthew 8:27 (KJV)
The answer becomes clearer when we hear John’s testimony concerning Christ:
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” — John 1:3 (KJV)
The wind obeyed Him.
The sea obeyed Him.
Creation responded to the authority of its Creator.
The Heavens Cannot Contain Him
Now allow the magnitude of this truth to settle upon the heart.
We look at the heavens and feel small.
We consider the sun, moon and innumerable stars and struggle to comprehend their vastness.
Yet Solomon stood before God and declared:
“Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee…” — 1 Kings 8:27 (KJV)
The heavens are vast.
God is greater.
The stars are innumerable to us.
God calls them by name.
The universe overwhelms human understanding.
It does not overwhelm its Creator.
“The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.” — Psalm 89:11 (KJV)
Everything we see above us belongs to Him.
But Not Everything in the Heavens Can Be Seen
Here the journey becomes more solemn.
Our physical eyes can see birds, clouds, the sun, the moon and stars.
But Scripture tells us that visible creation is not the whole of reality.
There are beings our natural eyes do not ordinarily see.
There are principalities.
There are powers.
There are rulers of darkness.
There is spiritual wickedness in high places.
There are holy angels.
There are fallen spiritual beings.
And Scripture reveals conflict occurring in an unseen heavenly realm while human beings continue their lives upon the earth, often completely unaware of what is taking place.
Paul warns:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” — Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
The heavens therefore lead us beyond wonder at what we can see into awareness of what we cannot see.
A Prayer to the Creator of Heaven and Earth
Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, I lift my eyes toward the heavens and stand in awe of the works of Your hands.
You stretched out the heavens. You made the firmament. You appointed the sun to rule the day and the moon and stars to shine in the night. You cover the heavens with clouds, send rain upon the earth, feed the birds of the air, and call the stars by name.
When I look upon Your creation, remind me how small I am and how great You are. Yet in Your greatness, You are mindful of me. You see me. You know me. You sustain me.
Forgive me for the many times I have walked beneath Your heavens without considering Your glory. Open my eyes again to the wonder of Your creation. Let the rising of the sun remind me of Your faithfulness. Let the heavens declare Your glory to my heart. Let the birds remind me of Your provision. Let the rain remind me that every good gift comes from You.
And when I see the groaning of creation—storms, destruction, suffering, decay and death—remind me that this present condition is not the end. Creation itself waits for the glorious liberty You have promised.
Lord, as this journey now moves from the things my eyes can see toward realities that are unseen, give me spiritual understanding and discernment. Do not allow me to live as though the visible world is all that exists.
Keep me from fear. Keep me from deception. Keep me from ignorance of the enemy’s devices. And above everything, keep my eyes fixed upon Jesus Christ.
The heavens are Yours. The earth is Yours. The heaven and the heaven of heavens belong to You. No principality, no power, no ruler of darkness, and no created being can overthrow Your throne.
You alone are God.
You alone are Almighty.
You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, praise, and worship.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Second Heaven — The Celestial Realm and the Unseen Spiritual Conflict
Beyond the world our physical eyes can see, Scripture reveals another realm of existence.
We cannot see principalities with our natural eyes.
We cannot ordinarily see angels moving between heaven and earth.
Daniel could not see the spiritual conflict taking place while he prayed.
Yet Scripture pulls back the veil and tells us plainly that an unseen spiritual world exists alongside the visible world.
Paul writes:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” — Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
These are not figures of speech for ordinary human opposition. Scripture reveals organized spiritual forces of darkness operating against humanity and against the purposes of God.
This is the realm we are considering as the second heaven.
And although our eyes cannot ordinarily see its inhabitants, Scripture does not leave us ignorant of their existence or their activities.
The Inhabitants of the Second Heaven
Ephesians 6:12 identifies different orders or expressions of spiritual opposition:
“Principalities…”
“Powers…”
“The rulers of the darkness of this world…”
“Spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The existence of these powers should not cause fascination with darkness.
It should produce spiritual awareness.
Paul explains why:
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” — 2 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)
There is danger in becoming obsessed with Satan.
But there is also danger in living as though Satan and the powers of darkness do not exist.
Scripture calls the believer to neither extreme.
We are to be aware, discerning, prayerful and watchful.
Satan — The Adversary
Peter gives believers a direct warning:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Notice the words:
Your adversary.
The devil is not presented as a passive observer of humanity.
Jesus described him as:
“a liar, and the father of it.” — John 8:44 (KJV)
Revelation calls him:
“that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.” — Revelation 12:9 (KJV)
Paul calls him:
“the prince of the power of the air…” — Ephesians 2:2 (KJV)
His activities include deception, temptation, accusation, opposition, spiritual blindness and destruction.
Jesus also warned of a thief whose purpose is:
“to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” — John 10:10 (KJV)
But Jesus immediately presents the great contrast:
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Here we see two opposing directions:
The enemy works toward destruction.
Jesus Christ brings life.
A Conflict Daniel Could Not See
Daniel 10 gives us one of Scripture’s clearest glimpses into this unseen world.
Daniel had been praying and mourning before God for three weeks.
Then a heavenly messenger appeared and told him:
“Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand… thy words were heard.” — Daniel 10:12 (KJV)
Daniel’s prayer had been heard from the beginning.
Yet the messenger continued:
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days…” — Daniel 10:13 (KJV)
Then something extraordinary is revealed:
“But, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…”
Daniel was praying on earth.
But while he prayed, conflict was taking place in a realm he could not see.
Later the messenger said:
“And now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.” — Daniel 10:20 (KJV)
Daniel could see Persia.
He could understand earthly kingdoms.
But behind what was visible, Scripture revealed spiritual personalities and spiritual conflict.
The prince of Persia was not presented merely as the human king of Persia. A heavenly messenger had been resisted by this prince until Michael came to assist him.
For twenty-one days Daniel prayed without knowing what was occurring beyond his sight.
His inability to see the conflict did not mean the conflict did not exist.
Holy Angels Are Also Active
The unseen realm is not inhabited only by forces of darkness.
Scripture also reveals holy angels carrying out the purposes of God.
Daniel identifies:
“Michael, one of the chief princes…” — Daniel 10:13 (KJV)
Elsewhere Michael is explicitly called:
“Michael the archangel…” — Jude 9 (KJV)
Hebrews asks concerning angels:
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” — Hebrews 1:14 (KJV)
And Revelation gives us another extraordinary glimpse of conflict in heaven:
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” — Revelation 12:7 (KJV)
Scripture therefore reveals holy angels and fallen spiritual beings, conflict and opposition, obedience and rebellion.
The universe contains realities far beyond what the human eye ordinarily perceives.
The Enemy Can Affect the Visible World
The book of Job takes us even further.
Job could see the tragedies occurring around him.
But initially he could not see the spiritual activity Scripture had revealed to the reader.
A messenger told him:
“The fire of God is fallen from heaven…” — Job 1:16 (KJV)
Another reported:
“There came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house…” — Job 1:19 (KJV)
Later Scripture says:
“So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils…” — Job 2:7 (KJV)
To human eyes there was fire.
There was wind.
There was destruction.
There was disease.
But Scripture revealed an unseen dimension to Job’s suffering.
This does not mean that every disease, storm, accident or disaster is a direct satanic attack. We must not claim what God has not revealed.
But neither can we conclude that spiritual powers are incapable of affecting physical circumstances.
Job shows us otherwise.
Satan Is Powerful, but He Is Not Almighty
Job also reveals something that must never leave our minds.
Before Satan acted, God established his boundary:
“Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.” — Job 2:6 (KJV)
Satan could not simply do whatever he desired.
He was limited.
He required permission.
The enemy had power.
But he did not have sovereignty.
There is only one Almighty God.
Satan is not God’s equal.
The powers of darkness are not God’s equals.
They are created beings operating within limits ultimately established by the Creator.
This is why awareness of the second heaven should never lead the believer into terror.
We Wrestle — Therefore We Must Stand
Paul does not reveal spiritual wickedness merely to satisfy our curiosity.
He tells us because we wrestle against it.
Immediately before Ephesians 6:12, Paul says:
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)
Then after identifying the enemy, he says:
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God…” — Ephesians 6:13 (KJV)
Truth.
Righteousness.
The preparation of the gospel of peace.
Faith.
Salvation.
The Word of God.
Prayer.
These are not decorations for the Christian life.
They belong to the believer’s spiritual warfare.
Paul particularly warns about:
“the fiery darts of the wicked.” — Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
And tells us to take:
“the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” — Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)
Then:
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” — Ephesians 6:18 (KJV)
The believer is therefore not instructed to become fascinated with demons.
The believer is instructed to stand.
Resist the Devil
James gives one of the clearest instructions in Scripture:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7 (KJV)
Notice the order.
Submit to God.
Then:
Resist the devil.
Peter similarly commands:
“Whom resist stedfast in the faith…” — 1 Peter 5:9 (KJV)
Christians are not called to live unaware of the enemy.
Neither are they called to live terrified of him.
They are called to recognize the conflict, remain close to God, discern deception, pray, stand upon God’s Word, put on the whole armor of God, and resist.
Look Higher Than the Conflict
But we must not end our gaze in the second heaven.
If we look only at principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness, we have not looked high enough.
Paul tells us where Jesus Christ is:
“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion…” — Ephesians 1:21 (KJV)
At the Cross Christ:
“spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” — Colossians 2:15 (KJV)
John declares:
“Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” — 1 John 4:4 (KJV)
The second heaven may contain conflict.
But God’s throne is not threatened by that conflict.
The powers of darkness may oppose.
But they cannot dethrone the Almighty.
Satan may deceive.
But he cannot turn truth into falsehood.
He may accuse.
But he cannot overturn the finished work of Jesus Christ.
He may seek to devour.
But Jesus declares:
“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” — John 10:28 (KJV)
The Christian’s attention must therefore rise above the battlefield toward the victorious Christ.
And Scripture now takes us higher still.
Paul tells us that he was:
“caught up to the third heaven.” — 2 Corinthians 12:2 (KJV)
And then:
“caught up into paradise…” — 2 Corinthians 12:4 (KJV)
Beyond the realm of conflict, Scripture directs our attention toward Paradise, worship, holiness and the presence of God.
A Prayer for Spiritual Discernment and Victory
Almighty God, open my spiritual understanding. Do not allow me to live as though the things I can see with my physical eyes are all that exist.
Your Word reveals principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. Your Word also reveals Your holy angels carrying out Your purposes. Give me wisdom to recognize that the spiritual conflict is real without allowing my heart to become fascinated with darkness or overcome by fear.
Keep me from ignorance of Satan’s devices. Expose deception before I embrace it. Strengthen me against temptation. Guard my mind. Guard my heart. Guard my home and those You have entrusted to me.
Teach me to put on the whole armor of God—to stand in truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Gospel of peace, Your Word and prayer.
When the enemy attacks, teach me to submit myself to You and resist him steadfastly in the faith.
When circumstances around me appear overwhelming, remind me that there may be realities I cannot see—but remind me even more strongly that nothing is hidden from You.
You are Almighty.
No principality is above You.
No power is equal to You.
No ruler of darkness can overthrow Your throne.
Jesus Christ is far above every principality, power, might and dominion.
Therefore, I will not live in fear. I will be sober. I will be vigilant. I will pray. I will stand. And I will keep my eyes upon Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
The Third Heaven — Paradise and the Presence of God
Our journey through the heavens now takes us beyond the visible firmament and beyond the unseen realm of spiritual conflict
Here, unlike the terms first heaven and second heaven, Scripture gives us an explicit name:
Our journey through the heavens now takes us beyond the visible firmament and beyond the unseen realm of spiritual conflict.
“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago… such an one caught up to the third heaven.” — 2 Corinthians 12:2 (KJV)
Paul continues:
“How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” — 2 Corinthians 12:4 (KJV)
Paul therefore brings the third heaven and Paradise together in describing this extraordinary experience.
He was permitted to experience something beyond ordinary earthly existence—something so profound that what he heard could not simply be brought back and communicated to others.
There are realities in God’s creation that human beings have never discovered through telescopes, spacecraft, or physical exploration.
God Himself must reveal them.
Paradise
The word Paradise appears again when Jesus Christ hung upon the cross.
One of the criminals crucified beside Him turned to Him and said:
“Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” — Luke 23:42 (KJV)
Jesus answered:
“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43 (KJV)
Consider those words:
“With me.”
The glory of Paradise is not merely its beauty.
The glory of Paradise is Christ.
The dying man had no opportunity to rebuild his life, perform religious works, or earn his way into God’s presence.
He turned to Christ.
And Christ promised:
“Thou shalt be with me.”
Paul expressed the same longing when he wrote of his desire:
“to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” — Philippians 1:23 (KJV)
For the believer, the hope beyond death is ultimately not merely going somewhere better.
It is being with Christ.
The Throne of God
Throughout Scripture, heaven is repeatedly associated with the throne of God.
David declares:
“The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven…” — Psalm 11:4 (KJV)
Jesus taught His disciples to pray:
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” — Matthew 6:9 (KJV)
Isaiah was given an extraordinary vision:
“I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up…” — Isaiah 6:1 (KJV)
And heavenly beings cried:
“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” — Isaiah 6:3 (KJV)
John later received another vision:
“And, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” — Revelation 4:2 (KJV)
Everything changes around that throne.
Earthly kingdoms rise and fall.
Generations come and go.
Human rulers live and die.
Nations change.
Creation groans.
Spiritual powers oppose.
But the throne remains occupied.
God reigns.
The Inhabitants of the Heavenly Realm
Scripture gives us glimpses of inhabitants gathered around the throne and dwelling in the heavenly realm.
Isaiah saw seraphim crying:
“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts…” — Isaiah 6:3 (KJV)
Jesus spoke of angels who:
“do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 18:10 (KJV)
Hebrews describes angels as:
“ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” — Hebrews 1:14 (KJV)
John saw:
“a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues…” — Revelation 7:9 (KJV)
They stood:
“before the throne, and before the Lamb…”
and cried:
“Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” — Revelation 7:10 (KJV)
What a contrast with the second heaven we have just considered.
There we encountered conflict.
Here our attention is drawn toward the throne and worship.
There we saw rebellion.
Here we hear:
“Holy, holy, holy.”
There we encountered powers of darkness.
Here the redeemed stand before the Lamb.
Jesus Christ Ascended Into Heaven
After His resurrection, Jesus Christ did not remain upon the earth.
His disciples watched:
“while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” — Acts 1:9 (KJV)
Later, as Stephen was being martyred, he looked upward and declared:
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” — Acts 7:56 (KJV)
Hebrews tells us that Christ:
“is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” — Hebrews 8:1 (KJV)
The Jesus who walked the roads of Galilee…
The Jesus who healed the sick…
The Jesus who was rejected…
The Jesus who was crucified…
The Jesus who rose from the dead…
is alive.
He is exalted.
He is at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens.
Heaven Is Filled With Worship
John’s vision in Revelation allows us, for a moment, to hear something of the worship surrounding God’s throne.
The heavenly beings cease not:
“day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” — Revelation 4:8 (KJV)
The elders worship:
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things…” — Revelation 4:11 (KJV)
Then the attention turns toward Jesus Christ, the Lamb:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” — Revelation 5:12 (KJV)
And finally the worship expands:
“Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” — Revelation 5:13 (KJV)
Heaven is not centered upon humanity.
Heaven is centered upon God and the Lamb.
Yet Even the Heaven of Heavens Cannot Contain God
Here we must remember something extraordinary.
Although Scripture speaks of God’s throne in heaven, we must never imagine that Almighty God is confined inside a heavenly location.
Solomon understood this.
He prayed:
“Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee…” — 1 Kings 8:27 (KJV)
David asked:
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” — Psalm 139:7 (KJV)
God is not a creature occupying one corner of His own universe.
He is the Creator of the heavens.
He existed before them.
He made them.
He transcends them.
His presence is not confined by them.
The Psalmist declares:
“The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” — Psalm 103:19 (KJV)
Over all.
The first heaven belongs to Him.
The second heaven is under His authority.
The third heaven cannot contain the fullness of His being.
The earth belongs to Him.
Everything visible and invisible exists beneath His sovereignty.
From a Groaning Earth to the Presence of God
Now look back for a moment at how far this journey has taken us.
We began upon an earth filled with change and decay.
We lifted our eyes toward the firmament and saw the works of God’s hands.
We became aware that beyond what our physical eyes perceive exists an unseen realm of spiritual conflict.
And now Scripture has brought our attention to Paradise, the throne, heavenly worship, the Lamb, and the presence of God.
Can you feel the contrast?
On earth:
change and decay.
Before the throne:
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty…”
On earth:
death.
In Christ:
“I am the resurrection, and the life…” — John 11:25 (KJV)
On earth:
kingdoms rise and fall.
In heaven:
“His kingdom ruleth over all.” — Psalm 103:19 (KJV)
The human soul was made for more than the passing world around us.
And yet even the third heaven is not the final destination described at the conclusion of Scripture.
A day is coming when John says:
“I saw a new heaven and a new earth…” — Revelation 21:1 (KJV)
And:
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them…” — Revelation 21:3 (KJV)
Our journey is therefore not finished.
But before we move toward death, resurrection, judgment and the new creation, we must remain here for a little while longer.
We need to consider more deeply the One whose presence makes heaven glorious.
The Dwelling Place of the Most High God
A Prayer With Our Hearts Set on Things Above
Most High God, I lift my heart toward You.
You made the heavens, yet the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain You. You sit upon the throne, and Your kingdom rules over all.
When the world around me changes, remind me that You do not change. When earthly things decay, remind me that Your kingdom cannot be shaken. When darkness surrounds me, lift my eyes above the conflict toward Jesus Christ, seated in glory.
Lord, do not allow my heart to become so attached to this passing world that I forget the world that is coming.
Give me the longing of the apostle Paul—to depart and be with Christ, knowing that to be with Him is far better.
Make me holy. Make me ready. Teach me to live upon the earth with my heart turned toward heaven.
And when I consider the worship before Your throne, let worship arise within me even now:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.
All glory, honor, power and praise belong to You.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
The Dwelling Place of the Most High God
But now our attention must move beyond the place and toward the One whose presence makes heaven glorious.
Scripture repeatedly speaks of heaven as God’s dwelling place.
Solomon prayed:
“Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place…” — 1 Kings 8:30 (KJV)
David declared:
“The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven…” — Psalm 11:4 (KJV)
Yet Scripture immediately prevents us from imagining that God is contained within heaven.
Solomon also prayed:
“Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee…” — 1 Kings 8:27 (KJV)
Here we encounter something far greater than human understanding.
Heaven is called God’s dwelling place, yet heaven cannot contain God.
Heaven belongs to Him.
He created it.
His throne is revealed there.
His glory fills it.
Yet the Almighty is infinitely greater than everything He has made.
Heaven Is His Throne
God declares:
“The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool…” — Isaiah 66:1 (KJV)
Think about the majesty contained in those words.
The heavens that overwhelm us with their vastness are described as His throne.
The earth upon which generations of humanity have lived and died is described as His footstool.
Before the mountains existed, before the stars appeared, before angels worshipped around His throne, God was.
Moses prayed:
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” — Psalm 90:2 (KJV)
Everything we have encountered so far had a beginning.
The earth had a beginning.
The firmament had a beginning.
The sun, moon and stars had a beginning.
Angels are created beings.
Human beings are created beings.
But God did not begin.
From everlasting to everlasting, He is God.
Where Can We Go From His Presence?
God’s dwelling place is spoken of as heaven, but His presence is not limited to heaven.
David asked:
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” — Psalm 139:7 (KJV)
He continues:
“If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” — Psalm 139:8 (KJV)
And:
“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” — Psalm 139:9–10 (KJV)
There is nowhere in God’s creation where He ceases to be God.
The Lord asks:
“Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” — Jeremiah 23:24 (KJV)
We therefore do not need to imagine that our prayers must travel through physical distance before God can hear us.
He is present.
When you pray quietly in your room, He is present.
When you cry to Him in the night, He is present.
When you worship among other believers, He is present.
When you walk through suffering and cannot feel His nearness, He is still present.
His throne is in heaven, but His presence fills heaven and earth.
The Holiness of His Presence
When Isaiah was given a vision of the Lord, he saw:
“the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up…” — Isaiah 6:1 (KJV)
The seraphim cried:
“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” — Isaiah 6:3 (KJV)
Isaiah’s immediate response was not casual familiarity.
He cried:
“Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips…” — Isaiah 6:5 (KJV)
The presence of God reveals the holiness of God.
And when sinful humanity encounters that holiness, we become conscious of our own condition.
This is why heaven cannot merely be described as a beautiful destination.
To dwell with God is to dwell in the presence of absolute holiness.
John’s vision likewise brings us before the throne, where heavenly beings continually proclaim:
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” — Revelation 4:8 (KJV)
The central reality of heaven is not streets of gold.
It is not gates of pearl.
It is not reunion with people we have loved.
Wonderful as the promises of God are, the supreme glory of heaven is:
God Himself.
The Lamb in the Midst of the Throne
And there, in John’s vision, attention turns toward Jesus Christ.
“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne… stood a Lamb as it had been slain…” — Revelation 5:6 (KJV)
Heaven resounds with worship:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain…” — Revelation 5:12 (KJV)
And then all creation joins:
“Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” — Revelation 5:13 (KJV)
The Christ who was rejected on earth is worshipped in heaven.
The One who wore the crown of thorns is the Lamb in the midst of the throne.
The One whose hands were pierced is worthy to receive glory and honor.
The One who died is alive forevermore.
What Does the Human Soul Truly Desire?
David expressed a longing that reaches beyond merely receiving blessings from God:
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after…” — Psalm 27:4 (KJV)
What was that one thing?
“that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD…”
David wanted God.
Not merely God’s provision.
Not merely God’s protection.
Not merely God’s answers to prayer.
He wanted to behold the beauty of the Lord.
The Psalmist says:
“In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” — Psalm 16:11 (KJV)
This is the better habitation toward which Scripture directs our hearts.
The world around us changes.
Bodies grow old.
Possessions deteriorate.
Human achievements disappear.
Generations pass away.
But there is a presence in which there is fulness of joy.
There are pleasures that do not decay.
They are:
“pleasures for evermore.”
But How Can Sinful Humanity Enter the Presence of a Holy God?
Here the question becomes personal.
If God is perfectly holy, how can fallen humanity dwell with Him?
Scripture has already told us:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (KJV)
No human being can enter God’s presence on the strength of personal goodness.
No amount of religious activity can erase sin.
No earthly achievement can reconcile us to God.
The way into the Father’s presence is not a philosophy.
It is not a religious system.
It is not human morality.
It is a Person.
Jesus Christ said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” — John 14:6 (KJV)
And so, having looked toward the dwelling place of the Most High, we arrive at the question upon which eternity turns:
How can we come to the Father?
Scripture’s answer is unmistakable.
Jesus Christ — The Only Way to the Father
A Prayer to Dwell in the Presence of God
Most High God, heaven is Your throne and the earth is Your footstool, yet even the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain You.
You are from everlasting to everlasting. Before the mountains were formed, You are God.
Thank You that although You are infinitely great, You are not far from me. Your presence fills heaven and earth. There is nowhere I can go from Your Spirit, and nowhere I can flee from Your presence.
Give me a heart like David’s—a heart that desires You above everything else. Let my greatest longing not merely be for what Your hand can give me, but for You.
Teach me to behold Your beauty, to reverence Your holiness, and to live every day conscious of Your presence.
Forgive me for becoming so occupied with the things that are passing away that I neglect the things that are eternal.
When everything around me changes, anchor my heart in You, the everlasting God.
When I am afraid, remind me that You are present.
When I feel alone, remind me that You are present.
When I pray, remind me that I do not need to search for You in some distant place. You hear me where I am.
And above all, draw me to Yourself through Jesus Christ. Cleanse me from sin and make me fit, through Christ alone, to dwell in Your holy presence.
Let the deepest desire of my heart become this: to know You, to love You, to walk with You, and one day to behold Your glory.
In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
Jesus Christ — The Only Way to the Father
We have considered the holiness and majesty of the Most High God.
We have seen that heaven is His throne, that His presence fills heaven and earth, and that the deepest hope of the human soul is not merely to escape the troubles of this world, but to dwell with God.
Yet one great problem remains.
Humanity is fallen.
God is holy.
How can sinful humanity enter the presence of a holy God?
Scripture gives one answer:
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself declared:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” — John 14:6 (KJV)
He did not say that He merely shows us a way.
He said:
“I am the way.”
Sin Separated Humanity From God
The problem began with the Fall.
Isaiah explains:
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…” — Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)
Paul writes:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (KJV)
And:
“For the wages of sin is death…” — Romans 6:23 (KJV)
This is the deepest consequence of the change and decay we have been considering.
Humanity did not merely inherit a world in which bodies grow old and creation deteriorates.
Humanity became alienated from God through sin.
But the verse that announces the wages of sin does not end with death:
“but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 6:23 (KJV)
The God from whom humanity became separated is the very God who provided the way of reconciliation.
God Came Seeking Fallen Humanity
The Gospel does not begin with humanity climbing upward toward God.
It begins with God coming to us.
Jesus said:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” — John 3:16 (KJV)
Before Jesus was born, the angel declared:
“thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” — Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
Jesus Himself explained His mission:
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” — Luke 19:10 (KJV)
We were lost.
He came seeking.
We were separated.
He came reconciling.
We were under the sentence of death.
He came bringing life.
The Cross Was the Price of Our Redemption
Our reconciliation with God required more than moral instruction.
Sin had to be dealt with.
Peter writes of Christ:
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…” — 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
Isaiah had prophesied:
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…” — Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)
Paul declares:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (KJV)
Look again at the Lamb whom we encountered before the throne.
He is worshipped in heaven as:
“the Lamb that was slain…” — Revelation 5:12 (KJV)
The wounds of Calvary stand at the center of our hope of heaven.
We do not come into God’s presence because we deserve to be there.
We come because Jesus Christ gave Himself for us.
He Died — And He Rose Again
The Gospel does not end at the tomb.
Paul summarizes the message he preached:
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (KJV)
The resurrection changes everything.
Jesus declared:
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” — John 11:25 (KJV)
Death entered through sin.
But Jesus Christ entered death and emerged victorious.
The grave could not hold Him.
The Christ who died upon the cross is the Christ whom Stephen saw standing at the right hand of God.
He is alive.
And because He lives, those who belong to Him have a hope that reaches beyond the grave.
There Is No Other Savior
The world contains many religions, philosophies and human attempts to reach God.
But the apostles proclaimed Jesus Christ without ambiguity:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12 (KJV)
This is why the question of Jesus Christ cannot be treated as a secondary religious matter.
If He is the only way to the Father, then our relationship with Him concerns eternity.
The question is not merely:
Do I believe that Jesus existed?
The question becomes:
Do I belong to Him?
Salvation Is the Gift of God
We cannot purchase salvation.
We cannot earn it.
Paul writes:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
Salvation is grace.
But biblical faith is not merely intellectual agreement with facts about Jesus.
Jesus began His preaching with the command:
“Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” — Mark 1:15 (KJV)
Paul described his ministry as testifying:
“repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Acts 20:21 (KJV)
Repentance turns from sin toward God.
Faith rests upon Jesus Christ.
The sinner comes empty-handed.
Christ saves.
Calling Jesus “Lord” Must Be More Than Words
There is also a warning that must not be omitted.
Jesus said:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…” — Matthew 7:21 (KJV)
Christian language alone does not reconcile a person to God.
Religious activity alone does not reconcile a person to God.
The Christian life flows from a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ—a life transformed by His grace and increasingly surrendered to His will.
Jesus said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15 (KJV)
Obedience does not purchase salvation.
But a life truly surrendered to Christ cannot remain indifferent to the One it calls Lord.
The Way Home
Jesus told His disciples:
“In my Father’s house are many mansions…” — John 14:2 (KJV)
Then He promised:
“I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” — John 14:3 (KJV)
Notice again those precious words:
“Where I am, there ye may be also.”
This is where our journey through the heavens becomes deeply personal.
We have looked at the visible heavens.
We have considered the unseen spiritual conflict.
We have contemplated Paradise and the throne of God.
But knowing that these realities exist is not enough.
Are we reconciled to the God who dwells there?
Jesus Christ is the way to the Father.
He is the Savior of sinners.
He is the Lamb who was slain.
He is the risen Lord.
He is the resurrection and the life.
And through Him, fallen humanity may be reconciled to God.
But another question now confronts every human being.
Our earthly lives will end.
Our bodies will return to the dust.
What happens then?
What Happens After Death?
A Prayer of Repentance and Faith in Jesus Christ
Lord God, I acknowledge that You are holy and that I have sinned and come short of Your glory. I cannot save myself, and no work of my own can erase my sin.
I believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures. I believe that He is the way, the truth and the life.
I repent of my sin and turn toward You. Have mercy upon me. Cleanse me. Forgive me.
Lord Jesus, I place my faith in You. Be my Savior and Lord. Teach me to follow You, obey You and abide in You.
Do not allow my profession of faith to be empty words. Transform my heart and let my life bear the fruit of belonging to You.
Thank You for the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank You that death does not have the final word for those who are in Christ.
Prepare me to dwell in Your presence, not because of any righteousness of my own, but because of Your grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
This prayer is not a formula that earns salvation. Salvation is God’s gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The prayer simply gives words to repentance, faith, and a heart turning toward Him.
What Happens After Death?
Jesus Christ — The Only Way to the Father
We have considered the holiness and majesty of the Most High God.
We have seen that heaven is His throne, that His presence fills heaven and earth, and that the deepest hope of the human soul is not merely to escape the troubles of this world, but to dwell with God.
Yet one great problem remains.
Humanity is fallen.
God is holy.
How can sinful humanity enter the presence of a holy God?
Scripture gives one answer:
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself declared:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” — John 14:6 (KJV)
He did not say that He merely shows us a way.
He said:
“I am the way.”
Sin Separated Humanity From God
The problem began with the Fall.
Isaiah explains:
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…” — Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)
Paul writes:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (KJV)
And:
“For the wages of sin is death…” — Romans 6:23 (KJV)
This is the deepest consequence of the change and decay we have been considering.
Humanity did not merely inherit a world in which bodies grow old and creation deteriorates.
Humanity became alienated from God through sin.
But the verse that announces the wages of sin does not end with death:
“but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 6:23 (KJV)
The God from whom humanity became separated is the very God who provided the way of reconciliation.
God Came Seeking Fallen Humanity
The Gospel does not begin with humanity climbing upward toward God.
It begins with God coming to us.
Jesus said:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” — John 3:16 (KJV)
Before Jesus was born, the angel declared:
“thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” — Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
Jesus Himself explained His mission:
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” — Luke 19:10 (KJV)
We were lost.
He came seeking.
We were separated.
He came reconciling.
We were under the sentence of death.
He came bringing life.
The Cross Was the Price of Our Redemption
Our reconciliation with God required more than moral instruction.
Sin had to be dealt with.
Peter writes of Christ:
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…” — 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
Isaiah had prophesied:
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…” — Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)
Paul declares:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (KJV)
Look again at the Lamb whom we encountered before the throne.
He is worshipped in heaven as:
“the Lamb that was slain…” — Revelation 5:12 (KJV)
The wounds of Calvary stand at the center of our hope of heaven.
We do not come into God’s presence because we deserve to be there.
We come because Jesus Christ gave Himself for us.
He Died — And He Rose Again
The Gospel does not end at the tomb.
Paul summarizes the message he preached:
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (KJV)
The resurrection changes everything.
Jesus declared:
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” — John 11:25 (KJV)
Death entered through sin.
But Jesus Christ entered death and emerged victorious.
The grave could not hold Him.
The Christ who died upon the cross is the Christ whom Stephen saw standing at the right hand of God.
He is alive.
And because He lives, those who belong to Him have a hope that reaches beyond the grave.
There Is No Other Savior
The world contains many religions, philosophies and human attempts to reach God.
But the apostles proclaimed Jesus Christ without ambiguity:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12 (KJV)
This is why the question of Jesus Christ cannot be treated as a secondary religious matter.
If He is the only way to the Father, then our relationship with Him concerns eternity.
The question is not merely:
Do I believe that Jesus existed?
The question becomes:
Do I belong to Him?
Salvation Is the Gift of God
We cannot purchase salvation.
We cannot earn it.
Paul writes:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
Salvation is grace.
But biblical faith is not merely intellectual agreement with facts about Jesus.
Jesus began His preaching with the command:
“Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” — Mark 1:15 (KJV)
Paul described his ministry as testifying:
“repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Acts 20:21 (KJV)
Repentance turns from sin toward God.
Faith rests upon Jesus Christ.
The sinner comes empty-handed.
Christ saves.
Calling Jesus “Lord” Must Be More Than Words
There is also a warning that must not be omitted.
Jesus said:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…” — Matthew 7:21 (KJV)
Christian language alone does not reconcile a person to God.
Religious activity alone does not reconcile a person to God.
The Christian life flows from a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ—a life transformed by His grace and increasingly surrendered to His will.
Jesus said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15 (KJV)
Obedience does not purchase salvation.
But a life truly surrendered to Christ cannot remain indifferent to the One it calls Lord.
The Way Home
Jesus told His disciples:
“In my Father’s house are many mansions…” — John 14:2 (KJV)
Then He promised:
“I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” — John 14:3 (KJV)
Notice again those precious words:
“Where I am, there ye may be also.”
This is where our journey through the heavens becomes deeply personal.
We have looked at the visible heavens.
We have considered the unseen spiritual conflict.
We have contemplated Paradise and the throne of God.
But knowing that these realities exist is not enough.
Are we reconciled to the God who dwells there?
Jesus Christ is the way to the Father.
He is the Savior of sinners.
He is the Lamb who was slain.
He is the risen Lord.
He is the resurrection and the life.
And through Him, fallen humanity may be reconciled to God.
But another question now confronts every human being.
Our earthly lives will end.
Our bodies will return to the dust.
What happens then?
What Happens After Death?
A Prayer of Repentance and Faith in Jesus Christ
Lord God, I acknowledge that You are holy and that I have sinned and come short of Your glory. I cannot save myself, and no work of my own can erase my sin.
I believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures. I believe that He is the way, the truth, and the life.
I repent of my sin and turn toward You. Have mercy upon me. Cleanse me. Forgive me.
Lord Jesus, I place my faith in You. Be my Savior and Lord. Teach me to follow You, obey You, and abide in You.
Do not allow my profession of faith to be empty words. Transform my heart and let my life bear the fruit of belonging to You.
Thank You for the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank You that death does not have the final word for those who are in Christ.
Prepare me to dwell in Your presence, not because of any righteousness of my own, but because of Your grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
This prayer is not a formula that earns salvation. Salvation is God’s gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The prayer simply gives words to repentance, faith, and a heart turning toward Him.
The Resurrection of the Dead and the Final Judgment
The story of humanity does not end in the grave.
The change and decay that overtake the human body are temporary. Scripture reveals a day when the dead will rise and every person will stand before God.
Jesus Christ declared:
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth…” — John 5:28–29 (KJV)
The grave therefore is not humanity’s final destination.
There is a resurrection beyond it.
And beyond resurrection stands judgment.
God Has Appointed a Day of Judgment
Paul declared at Athens:
“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained…” — Acts 17:31 (KJV)
The Judge is not corrupt.
He cannot be bribed.
He cannot be deceived.
He does not forget.
Nothing about us is hidden from Him.
Scripture says:
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” — Hebrews 4:13 (KJV)
Human courts may lack evidence.
Human beings may misunderstand motives.
People may hide behind appearances.
But before God there are no hidden facts.
His judgment is perfect because His knowledge is perfect.
Every Person Will Give Account
Paul writes:
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” — Romans 14:12 (KJV)
Jesus even warns:
“That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” — Matthew 12:36 (KJV)
This should cause every one of us to examine how we live.
Our lives matter.
Our words matter.
Our choices matter.
What we do with the truth God gives us matters.
And above all, what we do with Jesus Christ matters.
The Resurrection Is Not the Same for Everyone
Jesus continued His teaching concerning those who come out of the graves:
“And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life…” — John 5:29 (KJV)
And:
“they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
Daniel had spoken of the same distinction:
“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” — Daniel 12:2 (KJV)
Resurrection by itself is therefore not the whole hope.
The question is:
Resurrection unto what?
Life?
Or judgment?
The Great White Throne
Near the conclusion of Scripture, John describes an overwhelming scene:
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away…” — Revelation 20:11 (KJV)
Then:
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God…” — Revelation 20:12 (KJV)
Notice:
small and great.
Earthly status disappears before the throne.
Kings and servants.
Rich and poor.
Famous and unknown.
Educated and uneducated.
Every human distinction that once seemed so important becomes insignificant before the Judge of all the earth.
John continues:
“and the books were opened…”
and:
“the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” — Revelation 20:12 (KJV)
Then comes one of Scripture’s most solemn statements:
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” — Revelation 20:15 (KJV)
Are We Saved by Our Works?
At this point we must preserve the full testimony of Scripture.
Revelation speaks of judgment according to works.
Yet Paul clearly teaches:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… Not of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
There is no contradiction.
We are not saved because our works earn salvation.
Salvation is God’s gift through Jesus Christ.
But the very next verse says:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…” — Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
Good works are not the purchase price of salvation.
They are the fruit that should follow a life transformed by God’s grace.
Jesus said:
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” — Matthew 7:20 (KJV)
This is why Scripture can proclaim salvation by grace while still taking the fruit of our lives seriously.
What About Those Who Are in Christ?
For the believer, judgment must be understood in the light of the Gospel.
Paul declares:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” — Romans 8:1 (KJV)
Jesus says:
“He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life…” — John 5:24 (KJV)
And then:
“shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
The Christian’s hope before God is therefore not:
“I have lived perfectly.”
It is:
“I am in Christ.”
Christ bore our sins.
Christ died for us.
Christ rose again.
Our confidence rests in Him.
And the grace that saves us also calls us into a life of holiness, obedience and good works.
Judgment Reveals How Temporary This Present World Is
Everything humanity builds eventually encounters change and decay.
Empires disappear.
Wealth changes hands.
Buildings crumble.
Bodies return to dust.
Even reputations that once seemed permanent are forgotten.
But judgment reveals that our relationship with God has consequences extending beyond everything temporary.
Jesus asked:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36 (KJV)
A person could possess everything this present world considers valuable and still be unprepared for eternity.
That is why the Gospel calls us away from merely living for what is passing and toward the God who does not change.
God’s Warning Is Also an Invitation
The doctrine of judgment is frightening when separated from the Gospel.
But Scripture’s warnings are given while the door of mercy is still open.
Jesus began His ministry proclaiming:
“Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” — Mark 1:15 (KJV)
Paul says:
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)
Peter tells us that the Lord is:
“not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
God asks through Ezekiel:
“Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?… and not that he should return from his ways, and live?” — Ezekiel 18:23 (KJV)
The warning of judgment is therefore also a call:
Turn to God while there is time.
Death and Decay Will Themselves Be Judged
Then Scripture reveals something remarkable.
Death—the enemy that entered human experience through sin—will not continue forever.
John writes:
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” — Revelation 20:14 (KJV)
Death itself has an appointed end.
The grave will not rule eternally.
The change and decay that have followed humanity from the Fall will not characterize God’s redeemed creation forever.
The God who created all things very good is moving history toward judgment—and beyond judgment toward restoration.
But Scripture also reveals a terrible final destination for those who remain separated from God.
Before we arrive at the new heaven and new earth, we must confront that reality.
Hell and the Final Consequence of Rejecting God
A Prayer Before the Judgment of God
Righteous and holy God, Your Word tells me that every one of us shall give account before You. Nothing is hidden from Your sight.
Search me now, while there is still time to repent, rather than allowing me to live carelessly before You.
Thank You that my hope does not rest upon my ability to make myself righteous. Thank You for Jesus Christ, who died for sinners and rose again.
Let me never use grace as an excuse for sin. Let the grace that saves me also transform me. Produce in my life the fruit that comes from knowing and obeying Jesus Christ.
Keep me from spending my life pursuing things that will disappear through change and decay while neglecting the things that are eternal.
Teach me to live every day remembering that I belong to You and that my life matters before You.
And when I stand before You, let my confidence be found in Jesus Christ alone—His blood, His righteousness, His mercy and His saving grace.
Have mercy also upon those who do not yet know You. Open their hearts to the Gospel while the invitation of salvation is still being proclaimed.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
Hell and the Final Consequence of Rejecting God
The journey from change and decay toward eternity brings us now to one of the most solemn subjects in Scripture.
Hell should never be discussed casually.
It should not be used to entertain curiosity, manipulate people through exaggerated descriptions, or produce fascination with punishment.
But neither should it be removed from Christian teaching because it is uncomfortable.
Jesus Christ Himself warned repeatedly about judgment.
If we are going to speak truthfully about heaven, eternal life, resurrection, and the presence of God, we must also speak truthfully about the final consequence of rejecting God.
Hell Was Not the Original Condition of God’s Creation
When God completed His creation, Scripture says:
“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” — Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
Sin, death, judgment, and the change and decay surrounding us were not the condition described in the beginning.
Rebellion entered God’s creation.
And rebellion has consequences.
Jesus spoke of:
“everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” — Matthew 25:41 (KJV)
This statement is important.
Jesus describes this punishment as prepared for “the devil and his angels.”
Yet Scripture also warns that human beings who persist in rebellion against God will face judgment.
Jesus Warned About Hell
No faithful presentation of Jesus Christ can portray Him only as the One who spoke about love, mercy and forgiveness while ignoring His warnings about judgment.
Jesus said:
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul…” — Matthew 10:28 (KJV)
He continued:
“but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Jesus also warned:
“It is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell…” — Mark 9:43 (KJV)
These are severe words.
But they came from the same Jesus who welcomed sinners, healed the broken, forgave the repentant, and ultimately gave His life upon the cross.
His warnings therefore should not be separated from His love.
The Savior who warns humanity about judgment is the Savior who died to save humanity from judgment.
Hades, Gehenna and the Lake of Fire
When studying what Scripture says about hell, some biblical distinctions are important.
The New Testament uses different terms that English translations sometimes render with the word hell.
Hades refers to the realm of the dead and is associated with the intermediate state.
Gehenna is used by Jesus in warnings concerning final judgment.
Then Revelation speaks of the final lake of fire.
These terms should not simply be treated as though every occurrence describes precisely the same stage.
Revelation tells us:
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” — Revelation 20:14 (KJV)
If Hades itself is cast into the lake of fire, then the two should not be treated as identical.
The lake of fire belongs to the final judgment.
The Second Death
John continues:
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” — Revelation 20:15 (KJV)
Later Revelation says:
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers… shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” — Revelation 21:8 (KJV)
Physical death is therefore not the greatest danger facing humanity.
Jesus warned of consequences extending beyond physical death.
This is why the question of salvation cannot be reduced merely to having a more comfortable earthly life.
The Gospel concerns eternity.
Eternal Life and Eternal Punishment
Jesus presents a sobering contrast:
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” — Matthew 25:46 (KJV)
The same verse places everlasting punishment alongside eternal life.
That should make us take both seriously.
The Gospel offers eternal life.
But Scripture also warns of final judgment.
This is why Jesus asked:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36 (KJV)
Everything we spend our lives accumulating belongs to the world of change and decay.
Possessions pass away.
Wealth changes hands.
Bodies return to dust.
But the soul’s relationship with God reaches into eternity.
The Central Issue Is Our Relationship With God
Hell should not cause us merely to ask:
How terrible is the punishment?
The deeper question is:
Am I reconciled to God?
Scripture says:
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” — 1 John 5:12 (KJV)
And:
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life…” — John 3:36 (KJV)
The dividing issue is ultimately not whether a person appeared religious before other people.
It is whether that person has been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
God Takes No Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked
When speaking about judgment, we must also speak accurately about the heart of God revealed in Scripture.
God says:
“For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth… wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” — Ezekiel 18:32 (KJV)
Again:
“As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked…” — Ezekiel 33:11 (KJV)
What follows?
“turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die…?”
Listen to the heart of that appeal:
Turn.
Live.
Judgment is real.
But so is God’s call to repentance.
The Cross Stands Between the Sinner and Judgment
This is why we must look again toward Calvary.
Jesus:
“his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…” — 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
Paul writes:
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin…” — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
And John declares:
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” — John 3:17 (KJV)
The following verse adds:
“He that believeth on him is not condemned…” — John 3:18 (KJV)
The message of hell therefore should never end with hell.
It should point us toward Jesus Christ.
The warning tells us there is something from which we desperately need salvation.
The Cross tells us what God has done to save us.
The Door of Mercy Is Open Now
When the Philippian jailer asked:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” — Acts 16:30 (KJV)
The answer was:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” — Acts 16:31 (KJV)
The Gospel invitation is being extended now.
Not after judgment.
Not after death.
Now.
That is why this subject should produce neither cold theological argument nor self-righteous satisfaction.
It should produce urgency, humility, prayer and compassion.
Paul spoke of his own people with:
“great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.” — Romans 9:2 (KJV)
If we truly believe Scripture’s warnings about eternity, our response toward those who do not know Christ should not be contempt.
It should be prayer, love, Gospel witness and longing for their salvation.
Hell Is Not the Final Scene of Scripture
Even after this solemn subject, the Bible does not end in darkness.
After judgment, John says:
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth…” — Revelation 21:1 (KJV)
Then the One sitting upon the throne declares:
“Behold, I make all things new.” — Revelation 21:5 (KJV)
That is where this journey is taking us.
We began with change and decay.
We encountered sin, death, spiritual conflict, mortality and judgment.
But for the redeemed, Scripture does not end with decay.
It ends with renewal.
It does not end with the grave.
It ends with life.
It does not end with separation from God.
It ends with God dwelling with His people.
And so we now turn toward one of the most glorious promises in all Scripture:
A New Heaven and a New Earth — When Change and Decay Are No More
A Prayer for Those Who Do Not Yet Know Christ
Merciful God, my heart turns toward those who do not yet know Jesus Christ.
You have declared that You take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but call people to turn and live.
Open blinded eyes. Awaken hardened hearts. Bring conviction of sin, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Give those who know You compassion for the lost. Keep us from pride, harshness and indifference. Teach us to speak the truth in love and to pray earnestly for those who are far from You.
Let the message of judgment cause us not to rejoice over anyone’s condemnation, but to proclaim more urgently the salvation that is found in Jesus Christ.
Thank You for the Cross. Thank You that Christ bore our sins. Thank You that the invitation of the Gospel is still being proclaimed.
Draw husbands and wives, sons and daughters, parents, relatives, friends, neighbors, communities and nations to Jesus Christ.
While the door of mercy remains open, let many hear Your voice and come.
Save, Lord.
Have mercy.
Turn hearts toward Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
A New Heaven and a New Earth — When Change and Decay Are No More
The Bible begins with creation:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
It tells us how sin entered the world, how death followed sin, and how creation became subject to corruption.
We have followed that story through the change and decay of the present world—through mortality, suffering, spiritual conflict, death and judgment.
But this is not where God’s revelation ends.
Near the conclusion of Scripture, John declares:
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away…” — Revelation 21:1 (KJV)
The God who created in Genesis brings His redemptive purpose toward its glorious fulfillment in Revelation.
Creation Will Not Groan Forever
Earlier we heard Paul’s description of the present creation:
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” — Romans 8:22 (KJV)
That groaning is visible everywhere.
Bodies age.
Living things die.
Structures deteriorate.
Natural systems bring both provision and destruction.
Generation follows generation into the grave.
The beauty of creation remains, but so does the evidence of the Fall.
Yet Paul says creation itself:
“shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” — Romans 8:21 (KJV)
Bondage to corruption is not permanent.
The present world of change and decay is moving toward something God has promised.
“Behold, I Make All Things New”
John saw:
“the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven…” — Revelation 21:2 (KJV)
Then he heard:
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them…” — Revelation 21:3 (KJV)
This is one of the great movements of the biblical story.
Humanity was driven from Eden after sin.
Sin separated humanity from God.
Christ came to reconcile sinners to God.
And at the culmination of God’s redemptive purpose we hear:
“He will dwell with them.”
The great hope of eternity is again God Himself.
No More Death
Then comes one of the most beautiful promises in Scripture:
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death…” — Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
No more death.
Think of what those words mean in a world where every generation has buried its dead.
No funeral processions.
No graves receiving another body.
No final breaths.
No families standing beside coffins.
No painful goodbyes.
The enemy that entered human experience through sin will be gone.
Paul called death:
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed…” — 1 Corinthians 15:26 (KJV)
And in God’s redeemed creation, that enemy will no longer remain.
No More Sorrow, Crying or Pain
Revelation continues:
“neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain…” — Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
The human story has known immeasurable sorrow.
Disease.
War.
Violence.
Betrayal.
Loneliness.
Loss.
Aging.
Broken families.
Broken bodies.
Broken hearts.
But God does not merely promise to make these things more tolerable.
He promises a creation in which they are no more.
Then He declares:
“Behold, I make all things new.” — Revelation 21:5 (KJV)
Not humanity repairing the old creation through its own wisdom.
God making all things new.
The Curse Will Be Gone
The Bible’s story now reaches all the way back to Genesis.
After humanity’s rebellion, the curse entered the earthly experience.
But near the end of Revelation we read:
“And there shall be no more curse…” — Revelation 22:3 (KJV)
Consider the sweep of Scripture.
Genesis shows us the entrance of sin and the curse.
Revelation shows us:
“no more curse.”
Genesis shows humanity driven from the garden.
Revelation shows God’s servants in His presence.
Genesis introduces death into human experience.
Revelation declares:
“there shall be no more death.”
The Bible does not leave creation permanently trapped beneath the consequences of the Fall.
The Tree of Life Appears Again
The tree of life, from which fallen humanity was barred in Genesis, appears again in the final chapters of Scripture.
John writes:
“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life…” — Revelation 22:2 (KJV)
The biblical story has moved from creation…
to Fall…
to redemption…
to restoration.
What humanity lost through sin cannot be restored through human effort.
But through God’s redemptive purpose in Jesus Christ, the story moves toward a world in which the curse is gone and life remains.
They Shall See His Face
Then Scripture gives us something even greater than the absence of suffering:
“And they shall see his face…” — Revelation 22:4 (KJV)
Earlier we asked what makes heaven glorious.
Here is the answer again.
God Himself.
No more separation.
No more living by faith without sight.
No more longing to know what it would be like to stand in the unveiled presence of God.
“And they shall see his face.”
Everything else is secondary to this.
The greatest promise of the new creation is not merely that our suffering ends.
It is that God dwells with His redeemed people.
There Will Be No Night There
John continues:
“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light…” — Revelation 22:5 (KJV)
Earlier in our journey we lifted our eyes toward the first heaven and marveled at the sun, moon and stars.
They declared the glory of their Creator.
But now Scripture brings us somewhere greater than the signs.
It brings us to the One whose glory they declared.
Revelation says of the holy city:
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it…” — Revelation 21:23 (KJV)
The created lights that marked days and seasons belong to the present order.
But God’s glory needs no created light to sustain it.
Change and Decay Will Be No More
Now return to the words with which this journey began:
Change and decay in all around I see.
Look at the present world and the truth of those words is unmistakable.
Everything earthly changes.
Everything physical is subject to deterioration.
Bodies age.
Beauty fades.
Possessions wear out.
Civilizations disappear.
Even mountains and landscapes change.
But Scripture directs us toward a coming reality where the terrible form of change and decay produced by the Fall will be no more.
No death.
No curse.
No sorrow.
No crying.
No pain.
The redeemed will not be struggling endlessly against corruption.
They will dwell with God.
They will see His face.
And:
“they shall reign for ever and ever.” — Revelation 22:5 (KJV)
The Unchanging God Is Our Eternal Hope
The answer to a world of change and decay has never been to find something within this world that will never change.
There is no such created refuge.
Our hope is in the unchanging God.
The God who existed before creation.
The God who made heaven and earth.
The God who remained sovereign after the Fall.
The God who sent His Son.
The God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
The God who will judge the world in righteousness.
The God who declares:
“Behold, I make all things new.”
This is the better habitation toward which Scripture has been pointing us.
But knowing that such a world is coming leaves one final, deeply personal question.
Will you be there?
That brings us to the next section:
Where Will You Spend Eternity?
A Prayer for the World That Is Coming
Almighty God, when I look at the change and decay around me, lift my heart toward the world You have promised.
Thank You that creation will not groan forever. Thank You that death will not reign forever. Thank You that sorrow, crying, pain and the curse will not continue forever.
You have promised to make all things new.
Prepare me for that world. Do not allow me to build my entire life around things that are passing away. Teach me to treasure what is eternal.
When my body grows weak, remind me of the resurrection. When I grieve, remind me that You will wipe away every tear. When I see suffering and death, remind me that death itself will be destroyed.
Above all, make my deepest longing not merely a world without pain, but a world in which I dwell with You.
Your Word says that Your servants shall see Your face. Let that promise awaken within me a deeper desire to know You now.
Keep me faithful to Jesus Christ until the end.
And while I remain in this present world, use my life to point others toward the Savior and toward the eternal kingdom that cannot pass away.
You are the God who was before the beginning, the God who reigns now, and the God who will make all things new.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
Where Will You Spend Eternity?
We have traveled a long way from the change and decay surrounding us.
We have considered the Fall, the unseen spiritual conflict, the heavens, the presence of God, Jesus Christ, death, resurrection, judgment, hell, and the promise of a new heaven and a new earth.
But none of these truths should remain merely subjects to understand.
Eventually Scripture brings every one of us to a personal question:
Where will you spend eternity?
Knowing About God Is Not the Same as Knowing God
A person may know many things about Christianity.
You may know Bible verses.
You may attend church.
You may understand doctrines about heaven, judgment and salvation.
You may even speak frequently about Jesus Christ.
Yet Jesus told people who diligently searched the Scriptures:
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39 (KJV)
The Scriptures point us toward Christ.
Christianity is not merely possessing information about God.
The question is whether we have truly come to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith.
We All Need Salvation
No one begins this journey righteous before God.
Scripture says:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (KJV)
And:
“There is none righteous, no, not one.” — Romans 3:10 (KJV)
Sin is not merely the problem of obviously wicked people.
It is humanity’s problem.
And its consequence is death:
“For the wages of sin is death…” — Romans 6:23 (KJV)
But the verse continues:
“but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Death is what sin earns.
Eternal life is what God gives through Christ.
You Cannot Earn Eternal Life
Human beings naturally want to contribute something toward their salvation.
Perhaps enough good deeds.
Enough religious activity.
Enough generosity.
Enough prayer.
Enough moral improvement.
But Scripture removes boasting:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
Salvation is not a wage God owes us for good behavior.
It is grace.
Jesus Christ Has Already Paid the Price
God did not wait for humanity to become worthy of salvation.
Paul writes:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (KJV)
Christ:
“died for our sins according to the scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3 (KJV)
He was buried.
And:
“he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:4 (KJV)
This is the foundation of our hope.
Not our goodness.
Not our religious accomplishments.
Jesus Christ—crucified and risen.
Repent and Believe
Jesus proclaimed:
“Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” — Mark 1:15 (KJV)
Paul described his message as:
“repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Acts 20:21 (KJV)
Repentance is more than feeling sorry because sin has brought painful consequences.
It is a turning of the heart toward God.
Faith is more than agreeing that Jesus existed.
It is placing our trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
There Is No Other Way
Scripture leaves no uncertainty concerning the foundation of salvation.
Peter declared:
“Neither is there salvation in any other…” — Acts 4:12 (KJV)
Jesus Himself said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” — John 14:6 (KJV)
Our eternal hope therefore does not rest upon denomination, family background, religious heritage or personal morality.
It rests upon Jesus Christ.
Examine Yourself
This is where the question must become deeply personal.
Paul writes:
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith…” — 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
Do not ask only:
Do other people think I am a Christian?
Ask:
Do I truly belong to Jesus Christ?
Is there repentance?
Is there faith?
Is there a desire for God?
Is Christ changing the direction of my life?
Do I love Him?
Do I desire to obey Him?
None of these things purchase salvation. But we should not substitute an outward profession for a genuine relationship with Christ.
Do Not Assume There Will Always Be More Time
One of the great deceptions of earthly life is the assumption that tomorrow is guaranteed.
Scripture says:
“To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” — Hebrews 3:15 (KJV)
And:
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)
There is no wisdom in postponing reconciliation with God.
Jesus promises:
“him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” — John 6:37 (KJV)
The invitation is open.
Everything Around You Is Passing Away
Look again at the world around you.
The evidence of change and decay is everywhere.
The house we struggle to acquire will someday belong to someone else.
The possessions we protect will deteriorate.
The body we spend so much time maintaining will return to dust unless Christ returns first.
Human recognition fades.
Generations are forgotten.
Jesus therefore asks:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36 (KJV)
John writes:
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” — 1 John 2:17 (KJV)
Do not exchange eternity for something that is already passing away.
There Is Life in Jesus Christ
The message of this page is not ultimately:
You are going to die.
It is:
There is life in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said:
“I am the resurrection, and the life…” — John 11:25 (KJV)
He also said:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
The One who warns about judgment is also the One who says:
“Come unto me.”
The One who tells us about eternal consequences is the One who died to save sinners.
The One who knows everything about you still invites you to come.
Where Will You Spend Eternity?
This question cannot be answered by your wealth.
Your profession cannot answer it.
Your reputation cannot answer it.
Your family cannot answer it for you.
Your pastor cannot answer it for you.
It is a question that ultimately comes before you and God.
Have you repented and placed your faith in Jesus Christ?
Are you trusting Him rather than your own righteousness?
Do you belong to Him?
The world around us is filled with change and decay.
But Jesus Christ offers eternal life.
Do not merely prepare to live.
Prepare to meet God.
And if your heart is turning toward Christ now, come to Him.
A Prayer of Repentance and Faith
Lord God, I come before You knowing that I have sinned and come short of Your glory. I cannot save myself, and I cannot earn eternal life through my own works.
I believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures.
I repent and turn toward You. Forgive my sins. Cleanse me. Have mercy upon me.
Lord Jesus Christ, I place my faith in You. I receive Your grace and trust in Your finished work rather than my own righteousness.
Change my heart. Teach me to follow You. Let my faith be genuine and my life bear the fruit of belonging to You.
Do not allow the passing things of this world to possess my heart. Fix my affection upon the things that are eternal.
I come to You because You have promised that the one who comes to You will not be cast out.
Save me, keep me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
These words do not save by themselves. Salvation is not produced by repeating a prayer. Jesus Christ saves. This prayer simply expresses repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
And for those who already belong to Christ, one final cry remains as we look beyond all the change and decay of this present world:
Even So, Come, Lord Jesus
Even So, Come, Lord Jesus
We have traveled from the beginning of creation to the threshold of eternity.
We began with the words:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
God looked upon what He had made and declared it:
“Very good.” — Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
But sin entered.
Death followed.
Creation became subject to corruption.
Disease, suffering, disaster, conflict, mortality, and decay became realities of the fallen world.
Human kingdoms rose and fell.
Dark spiritual powers opposed the purposes of God.
Generation after generation returned to the dust.
Yet throughout everything that changed, God did not change.
“For I am the LORD, I change not…” — Malachi 3:6 (KJV)
Jesus Christ Is the Unchanging One
The writer of Hebrews declares:
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)
This is the great answer to change and decay in all around I see.
Our security is not that everything around us will remain unchanged.
It will not.
Our bodies change.
Our circumstances change.
Relationships change.
Nations change.
Governments change.
Economies change.
Cultures change.
The earth itself will not remain forever in its present condition.
But Jesus Christ does not change.
The One who saved yesterday is Savior today.
The One who was faithful yesterday remains faithful today.
The One who conquered death remains Lord over death.
The One who promised to return will return.
Jesus Christ Is Coming Again
Before His crucifixion, Jesus comforted His disciples:
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” — John 14:1 (KJV)
Then He promised:
“I go to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:2 (KJV)
And:
“I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” — John 14:3 (KJV)
After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven.
As the disciples watched, two angels declared:
“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” — Acts 1:11 (KJV)
This same Jesus.
Not another Savior.
Not another Christ.
The crucified Christ.
The risen Christ.
The ascended Christ.
He will come again.
No One Knows the Day or the Hour
Christians have sometimes attempted to calculate the precise date of Christ’s return.
Jesus expressly warned against this:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man…” — Matthew 24:36 (KJV)
Our responsibility is therefore not to calculate dates.
Our responsibility is to be ready.
Jesus said:
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” — Matthew 24:42 (KJV)
Biblical watchfulness is not panic.
It is faithful living.
It is prayer.
It is holiness.
It is obedience.
It is preaching the Gospel.
It is loving God.
It is loving people.
It is remaining faithful until Christ comes.
The Signs Around Us Should Lead to Watchfulness, Not Speculation
Jesus warned that the present age would include wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, deception, persecution, lawlessness, and spiritual opposition.
But He also warned His disciples:
“See that ye be not troubled…” — Matthew 24:6 (KJV)
This is important.
The Christian response to a troubled world is not terror.
Neither is it careless indifference.
It is watchfulness rooted in faith.
We may recognize that history is moving toward God’s appointed conclusion without claiming knowledge God has not given us.
Every generation of believers should live ready to meet Christ.
Set Your Affection on Things Above
Because this present world is passing, Paul writes:
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2 (KJV)
This does not mean abandoning our earthly responsibilities.
Christians should work.
Care for their families.
Help those in need.
Serve faithfully.
Build.
Teach.
Create.
Minister.
Love their neighbors.
But we must never mistake our temporary residence for our eternal hope.
Paul writes:
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 3:20 (KJV)
We Seek a Continuing City
Hebrews says:
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” — Hebrews 13:14 (KJV)
Every earthly city changes.
Every human civilization eventually passes.
Every monument eventually deteriorates.
Every empire eventually loses its power.
But Abraham looked for something different:
“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” — Hebrews 11:10 (KJV)
That should become the orientation of our hearts.
We live here faithfully.
But our ultimate hope is not here.
While We Wait, There Is Work to Do
Waiting for Christ does not mean standing idle while the world deteriorates.
Jesus commanded:
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15 (KJV)
There are souls to reach.
There are people to pray for.
There are broken hearts to comfort.
There are hungry people to feed.
There are believers to encourage.
There are children to teach.
There is truth to proclaim.
There is holiness to pursue.
There is a Gospel to carry into the world.
Until Christ comes, the Church has work to do.
Do Not Love the Passing World
John writes:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” — 1 John 2:15 (KJV)
Then he explains:
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof…” — 1 John 2:17 (KJV)
Everything humanity pursues apart from God eventually slips from its grasp.
But John continues:
“But he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
The passing world should therefore loosen its grip upon our hearts.
We can possess things without allowing things to possess us.
We can live in this world without making this world our god.
From “Very Good” to “All Things New”
Look now at the entire biblical journey.
God created.
Everything was very good.
Satan deceived.
Humanity sinned.
Death entered.
Creation became subject to corruption.
The world began to groan.
But God did not abandon His creation.
Jesus Christ came.
He bore our sins.
He died.
He rose again.
He ascended into heaven.
He offers salvation.
He will return.
The dead will rise.
Judgment will come.
Death will be destroyed.
The curse will disappear.
God will make all things new.
And finally:
“There shall be no more curse…” — Revelation 22:3 (KJV)
The story that began in Genesis reaches its glorious completion in Revelation.
The Last Invitation
Near the end of the Bible we hear one final invitation:
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.” — Revelation 22:17 (KJV)
Then:
“And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
What an extraordinary way for Scripture to approach its conclusion.
After all the warnings—
after judgment—
after the description of the second death—
the invitation is still:
Come.
If you thirst:
Come.
If you recognize your need of Christ:
Come.
If you have wandered far from God:
Come.
The water of life is offered:
“freely.”
The Last Promise of Jesus
Then Jesus speaks:
“Surely I come quickly.” — Revelation 22:20 (KJV)
And Scripture records the response:
“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
That is the cry with which we should conclude.
Not fear.
Not despair.
Not fascination with darkness.
Not obsession with the decay surrounding us.
Our eyes ultimately belong upon Jesus Christ.
Change and Decay in All Around I See — But Thou Who Changest Not
Everything around us reminds us that this present world is temporary.
The flower blooms and withers.
The child becomes old.
The strong body becomes weak.
Buildings deteriorate.
Nations rise and fall.
Possessions pass from one owner to another.
Generations disappear.
Even the heavens and earth in their present form will not remain forever.
But above every changing circumstance stands the eternal God.
“From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” — Psalm 90:2 (KJV)
And Jesus Christ remains:
“The same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)
Therefore, when we look around and see change and decay, we do not despair.
We look beyond the decay.
We look toward resurrection.
We look toward the new creation.
We look toward the city whose Builder and Maker is God.
We look toward the Lamb.
We look toward the throne.
We look toward the day when God will dwell with His people.
And we say:
“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” — Revelation 22:20 (KJV)
A Final Prayer — Even So, Come, Lord Jesus
Eternal and unchanging God, everything around us changes, but You remain forever.
You were God before the mountains were brought forth. You were God before the heavens were created. You are God today, and You will be God throughout eternity.
Thank You for Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Thank You for the Cross.
Thank You for the empty tomb.
Thank You for the promise of resurrection.
Thank You for the promise of a new heaven and a new earth.
When change surrounds us, anchor us in You.
When decay discourages us, remind us that corruption will put on incorruption.
When darkness increases, remind us that the Lamb is the light.
When death comes near, remind us that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life.
When the world attracts our hearts, remind us that here we have no continuing city.
Give us compassion for those who do not yet know Christ. Give us courage to proclaim the Gospel. Give us holiness while we wait. Give us oil in our lamps. Keep us watchful, prayerful, faithful, and ready.
May we work while it is day. May we love one another. May we forgive quickly. May we pray without ceasing. May we hold fast to Your Word. May we remain faithful until the end.
And when our earthly journey is finished—or when the trumpet sounds and our Lord appears—may we be found abiding in Jesus Christ.
Our hope is not in this passing world.
Our hope is in You.
Surely You come quickly.
Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.