How to Develop an Eternal Perspective of Your Heavenly Home

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

(1 Cor 2:9)

Imagine:

You’re sitting in the theater with surround sound, watching an action-packed 3-D movie. You are pulled into the action as the film comes to life—completely engrossed, all distractions are gone. It seems so real.

man and woman watching a movie in theater with popcorn and drinks
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Wouldn’t it be great if you could develop half that awareness of your eternal future with God in heaven?

Life is often filled with so many difficulties that we lose sight of our ultimate destiny, robbing us of the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10. Having an eternal perspective is one of the main keys to living a rich, full life.

When my husband, Ed, was fighting cancer keeping an eternal perspective was the only thing that got me through. It still is—now that he has gone to be with Jesus. I can’t wait until I join him. Heaven is a present reality for my husband, Ed as well as for your loved ones who have passed from this life to the next through Jesus.

But it’s a reality for us too, but in the future.

Can the “there and then” truly become more real in the “here and now”?

YES! Here’s a word picture to help you better…

Develop an Eternal Perspective of Your Heavenly Home

Picture yourself in a 3-D theater with surround sound. The feature playing is Heaven. 

The story unfolding before your eyes is a never-ending story of total peace and utter bliss. Every longing is filled to overflowing. Glory and majesty fill the screen. There is no hint of evil or sin anywhere—only goodness and love.

There’s our holy triune God interacting with all the angels, saints, and your saved loved ones. Extravagant riches and rewards abound. A continual sense of awe and wonder permeates the story. Singing and exquisite music fill your ears.

That “movie” portrays a sure promise of our future reality—it is NOT a fairytale! Do you see it?

OR…

  • Is your view obstructed with the troubles of this world where all you can see is pain and suffering?
  • Are the distractions of pleasure, work, hobbies, children, and others pulling your eyes away? Are your eyes fixed on the world instead of Jesus?
  • Is your vision unclear because you haven’t got into God’s Word; you don’t understand what you are seeing. You’re looking at life through your eyes and not through the 3-D lens of Scripture?
  • Are you looking at the screen but with arms crossed; refusing to believe that what you are seeing is available for you?
  • Have you turned your back to the screen because you are mad at God for some hardship?
  • Are you even in the theater? Do you even know and believe that there is an awesome heaven awaiting you? Jesus is your ticket in.

This is not all there is. This is NOT our home!

All these people [from the Hall of Faith] were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People…looking for a country of their own…longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
(Heb 11:13-14,16)

My friend, you and I were created to live forever in an intimate relationship with our Creator. Until that day “let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you” (Pr 4:25) onto the movie screen of your eternal home.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Heb 12:2)

See you at the moviesand oh, don’t forget the popcorn!

Helpful Resources
What Does It Mean to Be Heavenly-Minded?
Enjoying Foretastes of Heaven NOW
Zooming Out: Keeping the BIG Picture in Mind
50 Days of Heaven: Reflections That Bring Eternity to Light by Randy Alcorn

 

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.