God's Word to the Wise

A Word to the Wise

Paul writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit tells the Corinthians:

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. – 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Paul later tells of his experience in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 of seeing paradise and hearing things nobody is permitted to utter. By faith I believe Paul’s experience to be true and so I know without knowing any details that Paradise/Heaven is going to be WOW!!!

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. I am hard pressed between the two.

While a prisoner in Rome, Paul reveals to the Saints in Philippi… 

My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. – Philippians 1:23

So, why do we take such extreme measures to postpone our arrival in Heaven and into the presence of our Savior and Lord?

Your thoughts are welcome.