What is heaven like?

   I find it seriously curious and very sobering, as well as very un-humorous, that in every account of a prophet or apostle trying to describe a "heavenly scene" they encountered, they seem to be distraught at trying to find the proper adjectives to adequately describe the beauty and holiness of the event. They seem to literally exhaust their vocabulary trying to relate to us the majesty and holiness of the heavenly nature of God.

            Whether it was the great prophet Isaiah (6:1-8), Ezekiel (1:4-3:27), Daniel (chapter 10), or the apostle John throughout the Book of Revelation, not to forget Paul's encounter in 2Corinthians 12, there is one thing all had in common. The beauty and majesty of the scene forced great humility upon them. On more than one occasion the scene was so overwhelming they couldn't even bear it in the flesh and passed out (e.g. Revelation 1:17).

            When it comes to the nature, character, and attitude of "The God" who will one day pass an eternal judgment upon us, we seem to be heavily unbalanced.  Most of us emphasize the "love of God" and purposely shove aside any emphasis on the "holiness of God."

            Reasons for this are legion, but mostly because we have friends and family whom we know are not following God's word. Therefore, we, perhaps even subconsciously, put a contemporary emphasis on God's love and grace only - - hoping He will save such people anyway. This unbalanced leaning towards God's love "only," leads us to a perception that God will not punish the evil that we see all around us, and even in us.

            God truly is perfect love - - but He is ALSO perfect Holiness; and by perfect holiness, I mean He is completely separated from evil of any kind. Furthermore, He is the One who determines what is, and what isn't evil.  There is no "shadow of turning" in the nature of God (James 1:17); there is "no darkness in Him at all" (1John 1:5), and because of this, God cannot fellowship evil of any kind, in any amount. Evil must be permanently cast away from the presence of God because He is absolutely Holy. And even if we don't want to think about that, it is still Truth.

            We need to understand that since God is holy, we must acclimate our lives to His holiness. "Without holiness, no one shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).  Our worship is to be in the "beauty of holiness" (1Chronicles 16:29).  In 2Chronicles 31:18, it speaks of the "beauty of holiness."  In Psalm 30:4, it speaks of the "beauty of holiness."  In Psalm 96:9, it speaks of the "beauty of holiness."  If you have ever wondered what God finds "beautiful," read these Scriptures and you will have your answer.

            In referencing the plan of salvation, Isaiah writes, "God is preparing a highway of holiness and the unclean shall not pass over it" (Isaiah 35:8).  Jesus referred to this "highway of holiness" as a "strait and narrow way" (Matthew 7:13-14).  We learn of this "holy way" by means of the Bible. Jeremiah wrote, "My heart within me is broken...and all my bones shake because of His Holy Words" (Jeremiah 23:9).

            Do you realize that because of God's absolute holiness, if you die while purposely fellowshipping sin, you MUST be eternally removed from His presence - - and that will be Hell!

            Yet, because God is not only a "Consuming Fire" (Hebrews 12:29), He is also "Love" (1John 4:16), and because of this we have been given a "grace period" - - a period of time to live on earth to demonstrate (through obedience), our love for the One whom God sent as our Rescuer - - our Redeemer, Jesus the Christ.

            Since we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), our seemingly hopeless appointment with the wrath of a perfectly Holy God can only be escaped and avoided by climbing Calvary's mountain and kneeling at the Cross (cf. Romans 2:5-10).

            In Revelation chapter 5, we learn that after searching all of Heaven and earth, there was only One who was found "worthy" to take the Book of Life from the hand of God and break its seals, and that was Jesus. Jesus did not come to earth and die on the Cross just so you could "do your own thing"  or, just so you could "continue to ignore His Heavenly Father," or, just so you could "continue in sin!" (Rom 6:1-2). He came to earth and shed His Blood on the Cross so He could create a "way of holiness." (Note: not "ways" of holiness, but "way" of holiness - - singular). and that Way is called obedience to the gospel (2Thessalonians 1:7-8).

            Contrary to a growing trend in the church, obedience to the Gospel is MORE than just being baptized. Obedience to the Gospel is a "way of life" called "seeking *first* His kingdom and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).  "Pursue peace" (Romans 12:18).  "Pursue love" (1Corinthians 14:1). "Pursue holiness" (Hebrews 12:14).       

Toby Miller