I am amazed that many seem to look forward to everything in Heaven but Jesus. Someone shared some song lyrics with me the other day that made much of the sweet smelling flowers and the streets of gold in heaven, but Jesus was an after thought at best. This seems sadly appropriate when we have had decades of pray a prayer and we'll see ya there evangelism. If Christ is portrayed as needy and just pleased as punch if we will only say yes to Him, then we could certainly draw the conclusion that we can live as we like here, and when we get there He will help us enjoy an even more self-gratifying life.
Here we may have a gold watch, ring or tooth, but there we can walk on streets of gold! Here we may have a nice yard, there we will have much lovelier plants and flowers to enjoy. That may be good, but to love or desire anything more than Jesus Christ, whether here or in heaven is idolatry!
I know what the response would likely be "well loving Jesus is a given, we're just singing about all the good things He will provide", well maybe we think we believe that, but don't we think about, talk about and of course sing about the things we really do love the most.
What if Jesus is not the needy, just glad to have you and see you in heaven savior many preach. Suppose He is not desperate for our acceptance of Him, but rather due our absolute worship with every breath of our being and has redeemed us so we can fulfill that very purpose!
Our condemnation is for not worshiping Him, being unthankful and worshiping the created things-
Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (NKJV)
He should have preeminence in everything, especially in the church and I assume this includes music -
Col. 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.(NKJV)
Even in Heaven it seems that the street of gold and almost unimaginable beauty of everything, including the foliage/flowers are underwhelming when compared to the glory of God in Jesus Christ!
Rev. 21:22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (NKJV)
If we don't want Him most now and desire Him above all we look forward to in Heaven later - are we truly of those for whom heaven is made?
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
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