One of the biggest misunderstandings in modern Christianity is that believers can look forward to an eternity in heaven.
Eternal life is promised, yes, but not in heaven.
It will be right here on earth. (Granted, the earth is due for a major makeover before eternity starts, but still - we aren't going anywhere.)
The book of Revelation makes it clear that after the rule of Satan and death are ultimately defeated, we won't be joining God in heaven. Instead, God will be coming to join us on the earth:
21:2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
If we understood this reality, it might help quash some of the escapist tendencies of Christians who think that some fine morning they will get to just fly away so why get overly involved here in the meantime?
We have plenty of work to do in the here and now. We are to spend our energies growing the Kingdom of God and, thus, moving this earth ever closer to the day when God's will is done here as it is in heaven.
This world IS our home. We need to get to work.
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