To When we think about Heaven, we may think about reunions with departed loved ones, freedom from pain and sorrow, mansions overlooking streets of gold, pearly white gates, etc. Though we do have some hints from scripture (Jn 14:2), we don’t have many reliable testimonies of those who have actually visited Heaven and returned to tell us all about it, so we tend to use our imagination to fill in the blanks.
Yet the Apostle John was invited up into Heaven by Christ Himself, and instructed to record for us what he saw. (Re 1:19) This is evidently our most reliable record of what to expect in eternity.
The first thing John sees is God Himself sitting on His throne. (Re 4:1-3) Thrones are where kings sit as they execute their royal duties; John is immediately presented with the King of Kings, the Sovereign of the universe reigning in the seat of judgment. This is very likely no coincidence; we should take note.
John then notices twenty-four kings seated round about God’s throne (4), and four mysterious looking winged beasts, full of eyes inside and out, hovering around God, continuously praising and worshipping Him, with no breaks, no rest. (8) And the worship pouring forth from these beasts is repeatedly moving the twenty-four kings to fall down before God, casting their crowns before Him and exclaiming how absolutely amazing and worthy God is. (9-11)
Evidently, this is Heaven in steady state: everyone beholding God; all eyes trained on Him, so fully and totally occupied with Him that everything else is a blur, out of focus, not even on the radar.
So, if we find this a bit anti-climactic, if we’re having difficulty focusing on and delighting in God now, if we find Him boring or unsatisfying, if we don’t enjoy beholding Him in this life, what makes us think we’ll feel at home in Heaven?
Even now, the heavenly heart longs above all else to dwell and abide in the house of God, beholding the beauty of God all the days of our earthly existence (Ps 27:4); we’re constantly orienting ourselves so we’re always focusing on God (Ps 16:8), continually aware of His presence. (He 13:5)
But hearts that focus on the comforts, pleasures and concerns of this life are headed for destruction. (Php 3:18-19) There isn’t anything about dying that changes our hearts. (Re 22:11)
The primary way we identify the real condition of our heart is by observing our love for Torah (Ps 119:97), by how we are cherishing and obeying the laws of God’s Kingdom. (Mt 5:19) No one will be comfortable before the throne of Heaven who is neglecting God’s laws. (Ro 8:7)
We may also observe how we generally spend our time and energy, to find out in real time where our true priorities and affections lie. Where do we turn when we have free time? What is it that most readily captures our attention and interest? (Php 3:20)
If we find ourselves lacking in heavenly affections, preoccupied with the affairs of this life (2Ti 2:4), what can we do about it?
We can start by admitting our carnality (Ro 7:24) and deliberately begin seeking after heavenly things. (Co 3:1-2)
We can ask God to incline our heart unto His testimonies (Ps 119:36), and for a vision of a more godly, holy, heavenly-minded version of ourselves that God is calling us toward. (2Pe 1:3) We can meditate on the promises of God to sanctify us and make us more like Himself. (4) Then we can begin meditating on and pursuing this heavenly vision (He 12:14) step by precious step. (2Pe 1:5-8)
We evidently tend to become what we focus on (2Co 3:18), so we should begin putting on Christ (Co 3:12), emulating Him and pretending to be like Him. (Ro 13:14) He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us. (Ep 3:20)