Sign of the Times - a Study of RevelationSample

What will heaven be like?

It’s worth pondering, right?

In the arc of history, in comparison to eternity, our time on earth is very, very short.

If we’ve put our faith in Jesus, the rest of our time will be spent in a place set apart for us with God.

Is it a place in the clouds with angels playing the harp?
Will there be a golden gate?

Is this our final resting place?

Or is there something even beyond heaven that we have to look forward to?

We'll save that last question for later, but for now, John gives us a picture of what heaven will be like.

According to Revelation 4 and 5, it will be a place of majestic beauty, glorious presence, unceasing worship, joy, and celebration, with all eyes focused on the throne and the person sitting on the throne.

Notice what John wants readers to focus on: Everyone and everything in heaven is focused on the one sitting on the Throne: Jesus. He’s the only one who is worthy enough to open the sealed scroll—the scroll that will bring God’s full redemption and judgment to the world.

In heaven, our focus and attention will be on the most (and only) important person and thing: Jesus.

On this side of heaven, how often do we focus our eyes and attention on other less worthy thrones? Things like sports, social media, and even relationships.Throughout Revelation, John doesn’t want us to skip over life now and just wait to get to heaven. No, he wants the future vision, a vision of God’s kingdom, to inspire our present life today. In fact, because of the Holy Spirit living in believers, it is possible to bring heaven to earth. That’s also one of John’s primary messages. Why? Because that’s what Jesus wanted for his followers, too.

What does it mean to bring heaven to earth?

Practically, it means reflecting on what or who has your primary attention. If it's not God, it's time to re-focus.

Every time you live the way Jesus wants you to live, you are bringing a piece of heaven to earth. We don’t have to wait to worship God; we can do that now. We don’t have to wait to create beauty and celebration; we can do that now. We don’t have to wait to find unity and purpose; we can find those things today.

Every time you do, you're making the world a little bit more like God’s kingdom. You're bringing heaven to earth.

Reflection Questions:

• When you think of heaven, what do you picture? Bonus: If art is your thing, take some time to draw, paint, or make a collage of what you're visualizing.
• What are some ways you can practically bring heaven to earth here and now?
• What are you most looking forward to about heaven?

Prayer Prompt:
Be honest with God about how you're feeling about heaven. Are you looking forward to it? Does it sound intimidating or boring? Allow him to increase your hope and excitement for being with him there while still living with purpose and reflecting his kingdom here and now.