If you ask anyone where do they plan to spend eternity?, most assuredly, their response will be, "In heaven." Where is this place called heaven, and why do people desire to spend eternity there? According to the writer of II Corinthians 12:2, there are three heavens. The first, apparently refers to the atmosphere( the sky, clouds) second, (place where the planets are located) third, (the place where God abides with his angels).

There are a number of ways heaven is described in the Bible. Each description reveals something new and exciting about our future home. In the book of Revelations, heaven is depicted as a "city of great glory." It is the place Jesus alluded to when talking to his disciples during his earthly ministry. "I go to prepare a place for you." It is the place the poor beggar was carried known as "Abraham’s bosom." Heaven is the place "where He is, there we will be also."

I could continue endlessly describing this place of eternal bliss called heaven, but I would like to focus on heaven as seen in the eyes of Paul, the apostle, and John, the revelator.

According to Paul, in his writings to the believers of the Hebrew church, heaven is not only a place of unimaginable bliss, it is the eternal destiny the patriarchs sought.

"Now those people who talk as they did show plainly that they are in search of a fatherland. But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. Hebrews 11:14, 16 (Amplified Bible)

The writer of Hebrew describes this heaven as "a city with foundations, constructed by the master builder (God) himself." It is that "better country that "He" is unashamed of." In heaven, the troubling of the wicked will cease and the weary will be at rest.

An even more captivating view of heaven is seen in the eyes of John, the revelator, who was exiled on Patmos Island. In his writings to the seven churches in Asia, he warns the believers of things, which will shortly come to pass.

In the 21st Chapter of Revelations, John gives his account of heaven. He not only gives a view of heaven’s grandeur, but believers can receive comfort from his message. One can visualize the splendor of heaven’s beauty, its dimensions, and translucence (brightness). The greatest assurance believers have with regard to heaven comes from the words of a song, " soon I will be done with the troubles of this world, I’m going home ……." My precious reader, the " home" this songwriter is referring to is Heaven. Death, though dreaded and feared by many, ends the troubling and unrest of God’s people. As believers, we are constantly tormented, ridiculed, frustrated, isolated, criticized, and lied on in this earthly realm. We live our lives with an enemy that constantly torments us—Time. Yes, since the creation and man’s transgression in the garden, time is the enemy of man. No matter what we do or where we go, we are constantly reminded of time. My mom, who is also an author, wrote an article recently in which she informed us that something seems to have happened with time. It appears to be shorter now than in previous times. According to prophecy, I am inclined to agree with her. As long as the earth remains, we must contend with time. We awake, sleep, bear children, have families, attend gatherings, grow old, and ultimately die at a given time. Think about it, as long as we live, we are enslaved by time.

In heaven, time is nonexistent. The praising never cease. Time is eternity. We will no longer have to concern ourselves with this mortal existence because the scripture declares, "If our earthly house of this tabernacle dissolves, we have another building, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. In this tabernacle, (our earthly bodies) we groan, and are burdened." Burdened? Perplexed? Groaning? Not in Heaven!!

In Revelations, Chapter 21, Verse 4, the writer enlightens us concerning heaven. Every Bible-believing Christian should be aware of the seven things that will not be in heaven according to scripture. In verse 4, the writer informs us that although we shed tears here on earth and in one instance, Jesus wept, in heaven, God will wipe away the (1) tears from our eyes. On earth, life is uncertain, death is sure. In heaven, there will be No more (2) death. While on this earth, we have sorrow. In heaven, there will be No (3) sorrow, (4) NO crying. As a healthcare professional, I have sat at the bedside of many individuals plagued by pain. In heaven, there will be No (5) pain. Our biological clock dictates that we awaken in the morning and sleep at night. While we remain here, there is a need for light and darkness. In verse 25, the revelator informs us that need not concern ourselves with the darkness and the routines we perform at night. Why? Because in heaven, there will be No(6) night. To conclude, he finally puts our minds to rest concerning the evil one. In heaven, it does not matter what our ancestors were, or what conditions they found themselves in. We will no longer be tormented by alcoholism, incest, violence, etc. because in heaven, there will be No more (7) curse. Seven things that will Not be in heaven. Seven, the number of completeness, perfection.

A popular commercial by the producers at Walgreens tells of what life would be like if things were perfect. They conclude by saying that since we don’t live in this place called Perfect, we have the next best thing, Walgreens. "That is a nice commercial," I thought to myself, but I have a message for the people at Walgreens. "There is a place called Perfect, and that place is "HEAVEN."

By Travestine J. Wright