For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
The picture that the Bible paints of Heaven is limited. But even what is revealed is amazing—a small glimpse of the glory and wonder of the eternity that waits for those of us who are Christians. When we read about that future, our main focus is not on a street of gold or walls made of precious stones or gates carved from pearls. While those are real and beautiful, the real glory of Heaven is that we will be in the presence of God.
Ever since sin entered the world, man’s fellowship with God has been broken. Because of our sin, we are unable to look upon His glory and holiness. Yet in Heaven that will be changed, not through our merit, but through the righteousness of Christ applied to our account. There, we will enjoy eternal, uninterrupted fellowship with God: “And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4).
The privilege of being in the presence of God is far higher than anything else we could ask. And the good news is that His presence is not going to be occasional or temporary, but eternal. We will be with Him not just for years or centuries or even millennia but for all eternity. Heaven is truly forever. The English Puritan Richard Baxter wrote:
My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim,
But it’s enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with Him.
