Notes of Faith October 25, 2025
Glimpses of Heaven: John
Then I, John, saw the holy city.
Revelation 21:2
On one occasion, the apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven…. caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). Paul got a glimpse of heaven, the memory of which propelled him through all the remaining trials of his life. But he wasn’t allowed to describe what he had seen. Why not? Maybe it’s because that was John’s job.
In the book of Revelation, John, too, was caught up into Paradise (Revelation 4:1-2). God intended for the final book of the Bible to be a glimpse of heaven for all of us through the descriptions given in the 22 chapters of Revelation. There we find brilliant worship (Revelation 4–5), a vast multitude of believers and angelic beings (Revelation 7:9-12), the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14), a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1), and a glorious capital city which serves as the seat of government for our eternal home (Revelation 21–22).
When you read the book of Revelation, look for every detail you can find about heaven. God has revealed it, and it is our glorious hope!
The moment we take our last breath on earth, we take our first in Heaven.
Billy Graham
Rev 21:1-6
21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."
I am one who sees many wonderful if not incredibly beautiful things and places on the earth we currently inhabit. Even in its’ fallen state, it can be breathtaking. Just try to imagine what a more perfect world would be. That is what is waiting for us when we are taken to be with God forever. This life is short. Life in the presence of the ever-living God will be eternal. I wait, grateful for every day that I am given on this earth, to be with family, friends, and pursing my neighbor that they might know Christ and believe in Him with saving faith! Otherwise, I am ready to be with my Savior and Lord, to serve Him in any way that He desires and inherit the holy world that is to come.
May you be blessed today, working through the many trials and tribulations that Jesus told us we would have in this world, while being expectant of the joy that He will provide on the other side of this life! Work hard! Love people! Leave room for God to do His work!
Pastor Dale