​And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Rev 21: 9-10
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Rev. 21: 27

There's coming a day when God will take over the control of this world, and expel the devil and his fallen angels. I believe we are very close to that day coming. The Bible gives many descriptions of what the New Jerusalem, the Holy City will look like, and what will be there, and what won't be there. This post will center on Rev. 21:27, and unpack this verse and open up what this verse holds for us, and our future-if we are one of the Lord's people.

The barrier
​There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth.

​Into heaven shall enter nothing that defileth. Every one, and everything whatsoever that is tainted with any impurity shall be utterly excluded. Not merely that eventually heaven will be cleared of such blemishes, but such shall never enter there. Absolute truthfulness and perfect purity, without any admixture of defilement at all, these are what God requires in all who cross the threshold of His home above. Better to be blind to the glory altogether than to gaze longingly upon it, if we must also gaze with despair on the forbidding regulation that those defiled, as we are, shall in no wise enter.

​The word of exclusion working within the soul—within my soul, within yours. No person who defiles, no fallen spirit, or sinful man can enter. And as no person, so no tendency, leaning, inclination, or will to sin can gain admission. No wish, no desire, no hunger towards that which is unclean shall ever be found in the perfect city of God. Nor even a thought of evil can be conceived there, much less a sinful act performed. Nothing shall ever be done within those gates of pearl contrary to the perfect law, nor anything imagined in opposition to spotless holiness. Consider such purity, and wonder at it. It is altogether perfect! And, mark well, that no untruth can enter—“neither whatsoever maketh a lie.” Nothing can enter heaven which is not real; nothing erroneous, mistaken, conceited, hollow, professional, pretentious, unsubstantial, can be smuggled through the gates. Only truth can dwell with the God of truth. Bethink you that not only does actual sin shut men out of heaven, but this text goes to the heart by reminding us that we have within us inbred sin, which would defile us speedily, even if we were now clean of positive transgression. How can you and I enter heaven while there is unholy anger in us? There shall in no wise enter into heaven a hasty temper, or a quick imperious spirit, or a malicious mind; for these defile. But then look at the other part of the difficulty—that is, the making of your own heart pure and clean. How shall this be done? Have you tried to master your temper? I hope you have. Have you managed it? Your tendencies this way or that, you have striven against them, I hope, but have you mastered them? I cannot overcome myself, nor overcome my sin. I will never cease from the task, God helping me, but apart from the Divine Spirit the task is as impossible as to make a world. 

The Victory-Christ Our Redeemer

He sits upon the throne of God, there, too, our dwelling-place shall be. The transgressor may be sunk in the guiltiest pollution; but if in his distress he casts his sinful soul into the forgiving arms of the Redeemer, he shall surely be forgiven. Out of his great tribulation he shall come, and wash his robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb, and therefore he, too, once defiled, and banished, and despairing, shall be found before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple.

"The word of salvation, which just meets the difficulty raised by the sentence—“There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth.” But, first, my past sin, what of that? “Washed in the blood of the Lamb!” This is our first great comfort, “He that believeth in Him is not condemned.” But here is the point, there is still no entrance into the holy city so long as there are any evil tendencies within us. This is the work, this is the difficulty, and since these are to be overcome, how is the work to be done? Simple believing upon Christ brings you justification, but you want more than that; you need sanctification, the purgation of your nature. Faith in Christ tells us of something else beside the blood. There is a Divine Person—let us bow our heads and worship Him—the Holy Ghost who proceedeth from the Father, and He it is Who renews us in the spirit of our minds." (C. H. Spurgeon.)

​Those who may Enter
“Only they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

I. The register. The Infinite One must know everything—what it is, where it is; its nature, character, and uses. But it is not said that there is an indiscriminate register for all, but simply for the holy and true. Not for the wicked. Are you enrolled in that book among the saints? If in Christ, you are, you must be—no one can keep you out of it. If not in Christ, you must be out of it, and no one can put you in.
II. The registrar. “The Lamb’s book.” The Book of Life must be the most difficult to keep. What wisdom—discrimination and justice are required! The combined intelligence of heaven and earth could not keep it; even archangels would make mistakes, but the “Lamb” cannot. Think of His high qualifications. His wisdom is perfect, His omniscience unfailing, His justice unsullied, and His love deep and eternal.
III. The registered. To be in that book is to be safe. To be there is to have heaven for an eternal possession. To be there, is to be among the highest and the best. What honour can be comparable with this? (Biblical Illustrator)

​The New Jerusalem, as seen in the vision of the Book of Revelation, is a city differing in many respects from cities in the modern world. There is no night there, no curse, no temple. It is to be, not, as are many modern cities, for the troubling of the nation, but for its healing. It is to be the source of light and health and glory to all mankind. There is no relapse into heathenism or barbarism, no dark ages yet to come. The new city has an eternal day. The light of God’s Presence never wavers. The translucent buildings and walls transmit all the light of life that is concentrated in her to the nations and peoples without. Her gates are ever open—everything that is of value, every talent, every power, every gift in the sum of human perfections is concentrated here to the Divine service. All the nations offer their glory and honour, not as captives robbed of their freedom, and despoiled of their treasures in a Roman triumph, but as free and loving subjects, as those who hate falsehood and immorality, and order their conduct in obedience to the laws that bind the citizens of the kingdom of the Lamb.

Betwixt the Two
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ;
​which is far better: 
Php 1:23

​Our “manner of life” is all-important. In the open day and in the hours of darkness it must be worthy of the gospel. We must show ourselves to be of a heavenly tone and temper, as citizens of that “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Lady Powerscourt used to say that she dwelt in heaven, but came down for a few hours each day to do her work on earth, returning home at night. Clearly, then, our dress, accent, and behavior should betray us as strangers and pilgrims who can well endure the discomfort of the inn or the troublous experiences of the place of our sojourn.
Notice that remarkable expression, For unto you if is given in the behalf of Christ… to suffer, Php_1:29. This is an added honor conferred on us by our Lord. The King gives us the opportunity of lying in the stocks with Him, of standing at the same pillory, and of being crucified on the same Calvary. But those who have drunk of His cup shall share His throne. When earth and heaven shall pass away, His fellow-sufferers shall be His chosen body-guard and attendants in a world where all shall love and honor Him. F. B. Meyer

​We are all placed here in God’s world, endowed with various powers and different talents; here we are to remain for some few years, and then all to pass away. Fifty years—what is it in the history of the world? and yet in even fifty years how many of us will still remain in this life? The question then forces itself upon us as reasonable creatures, What are we put here for, and why should we desire to remain? The answer is simple: We are placed here to work out our own salvation and for the benefit each of the other. It need not distress any one to find that Paul’s language is out of his reach; he had much better honestly confess that it is so, than pretend that it is not; but if a man desire this life, at least let him desire it for some good end. Let him take a deep, sober view of his mission in the world, for every one is sent for an important end; every one of us has his work and his Master, who will demand an account of it. We are all successors of Paul in this respect, and that which formed to him the principal chain of life ought to occupy a similar position in our minds to that which it did in his.

Why should departure out of this life be an object of desire to a Christian? Let's break this down, and see what we can learn.

First, because it is a full release from this evil world. There is something very expressive in the word we here render by "depart." It means the being set free after the breaking up of some long restraint, or the unyoking of the oxen wearied with the plough, or the weighing again of our anchors for a homeward voyage. On every side its associations are full of peace and rest.

To be free forever from the petty rivalries, the fruitless pleasures, the waste of power, the frivolous talk, the world of frenzy; people striving to obtain, only to lose it through time and circumstances-no one is exempt. All come to the same fate, but blindness keeps them from seeing their common future; pride drives them on. Meaningless envy, covetousness, competition; never-ending consuming, but always  dissatisfied. Living side by side with those in this cycle of materialistic madness, and finally facing the certainty of their own death. This is the hopelessness of those without Christ. For the saint-death is freedom from all of this.

What can better express the passage of Christ’s servants from this tumultuous and weary world? So long as we are in this warfare, we must be open to the shafts of evil, and who would not desire a shelter where no arrows can reach us any more? What must be the peace of having put off this mystery of probation, when the struggle and the strife shall be over, and breathless, panting hope, dashed by ten thousand fears, shall be changed into a certainty of peace, into a foretaste of our crown! This one thought alone is enough to make death blessed. Well may evangelists say, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly," and souls already martyred, like Paul, desire to depart. Even to us it may be permitted to feel our hearts beat thick with hopeful and longing fear when we wait for the voice that shall say to the least of penitents, "Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away, for lo! the winter is past; the rain is over and gone." Come to Me from Lebanon; look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, unto the everlasting hills and to the eternal years.

Paul longed for the spiritual body, raised in power and incorruption at the day of Christ, and meanwhile for that personal perfection in measure and foretaste which is prepared for those who die in the Lord and await His coming. Surely of all earthly sorrows sin is the sharpest. The heaviest of all burdens is the bondage of a will which makes God’s service a weary task, and our homage of love a cold observance. This is the longing for the saint, to be at last free forever from the wickedness and warfare of Satanic attacks of evil forces, and evil men. To share in the glory, and power of the Risen Christ, and to be with Him forever.

To be united forever to the new creation of God. What is this new creation but the new heavens and the new earth, in which are gathered the whole order and lineage of the second Adam, all saints, from Abel the just, of all ages and times, in the twilight and the dayspring, in the morning and the noontide of grace, all made perfect, whether on earth or in rest, by the omnipotence of love? This is our true home, where all our reason, all our desires, all our sympathies, and all our love have their perfect sphere and their full repose. To be with Christ. This is the true foundation of heavenly joy. To be with Him; to see His face; to follow Him whithersoever He goeth; to be conscious of His eye; to hear, it may be, His words of love; to see the gathered fruit of His Passion in the glory of His elect.
But for this, how blessed to go to dwell with Him for ever!

The Reunion
"Come, let us join our friends above,
Who have obtained the prize,
And on the eagle-wings of love
To joys celestial rise!
"Let all the saints terrestrial sing,
With those to glory gone;
For all the servants of our King,
In earth and heaven, are one.
"The saints on earth, and those above,
But one communion make;
Joined to the Lord in bonds of love,
All of His grace partake.
"One family we dwell in Him;
One Church above, beneath;
Though now divided by the stream,
—The narrow stream of death.
"One army of the living God,
To His command we bow:
Part of His host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now.
" Our spirits too shall quickly join,
Like theirs with glory crowned;
And shout to see our Captain's Sign,
To hear His trumpet sound."
Anonymous

​Beyond the Sunset
https://youtu.be/KE5A7HcnLII

Note: When I posted this, I already knew there would be no shortage of those who would either not understand the heart of this post, nor agree with it publicly-even if they did silently. Competition in ministry today is one of the worst evils of these end days. The prosperity evangelists and teachers won't teach or preach a message such as this, because it doesn't help them in filling their pockets with money, nor does it give them the recognition and attention they crave.
​Many ministers, preachers and pastors of 100-200 years ago gave sermons like this on a regular basis, because scripture and a personal relationship with Christ was at the core of their service to God, this is not the case today. The message today in most circles of religion is centered on self-self awareness, self acceptance, "living your best life now". These charlatans paint the picture of never ending flows of peace, prosperity, and developing a charismatic personality that attracts people to you. Their methods work, but it's not borne from the Spirit of God, it's earthy, devilish, selfish. Coercion, manipulation and twisting of scriptures is common, they know how to use scripture to achieve their goals, and make you feel good about helping them do it. When I listen to them a mental picture comes to mind of them on their dying day-holding fists full of money in both hands, with a huge smile on their faces. But, the reality is, the moment they die, they will stand before their Judge and Master, Jesus Christ, and will give an account of their life. Everything they've accumulated will be gone. I've no desire to be there to see them face this, but it is coming. 
The post above will touch those whom it's meant for. Those who's entire being seeks after Jesus Christ, for Who He Is, not for what they can gain from using His Name. There are some who will read this post, and will nod their heads in agreement, because it speaks truth to their hearts, and they too, long for the day when they see Him, face to face, and join Christ and loved ones gone on before, in eternal bliss. For those who long for this, it will bring a tone of soundness, and an assurance of the promises of God, meant for them, when this life is done. May it speak to you, in the same way. 

Forever with the Lord

Forever with the Lord!
Amen; so let it be,
Life from the dead is in that word,
'Tis immortality.

Here in the body pent,
Absent from Him I roam,
Yet nightly pitch my moving tent
A day's march nearer home.

My Father's house on high,
Home of my soul, so near,
At times, to faith's far-seeing eye
Thy golden gates appear!

Yet clouds will intervene,
And all my prospect flies,
Like Noah's dove, I flit between
Rough seas and stormy skies.

And the clouds depart,
The winds and waters cease,
While sweetly o'er my gladdend heart
Expands the bow of peace.

In darkness as in light,
Hidden alike from view,
I sleep, I wake, as in His sight,
Who looks all nature through.

Forever with the Lord!
Father, if 'tis Thy will,
The promise of that faithful word
Even here to me fulfil.

Be Thou at my right hand,
Then can I never fail,
Uphold Thou me, and I shall stand,
Fight, and I must prevail.

Knowing as I am known,
How shall I love that word!
And oft repeat before the throne,
Forever with the Lord!

Forever with the Lord!
Amen; so let it be,
Life from the dead is in that word,
'Tis immortality.
—Octavius Winslow

Leavin' On My Mind- Rusty Goodman
https://youtu.be/xlYrGzy_JMU
Look for me ~ Rusty Goodman and the Goodman Family
https://youtu.be/-9s-E90jb14

This is the highest station of honour in the service of God. To stand in the presence of the Great King, is the station of princes, the honour that belongs only to the royal family of heaven. In them the saying is fulfilled, “He raiseth the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” Theirs is the dignity of a life at court, the court of the “Ancient of Days.”
The face is the index to the character and distinctive attributes of any being. In the poetry of the primitive ages, the “face” is another word for the character; and thoroughly to know it, and see into it, is thoroughly to know the real man. “The face of God,” let it be reverentially spoken, is the character of God; to see it is to know what God is. The greatest revelation of the Father, according to St. Paul’s teaching, was in “the face” of the Redeemer. St. John here tells us that this is the face which Christ’s servants shall see by and by. But had not John seen this face already? Yes, in a sense. He had leaned upon the Master’s bosom many a time, and looked up into that face, and if there was anything in Christ’s human nature that expressed to John His Divine glory and tenderness beyond all other, it was that countenance. But John also saw only as much of that face as to awaken within him an intense yearning to see more. “We shall see him as he is,” and “they shall see his face,” are his fond refrains. He practically says, “It is true that for a brief time I saw His face, but there was so much of hiding in His incarnation, that I only saw dimly its deep meaning. By and by I shall see Him without any of the mist of His humanity that gathered round Him while on earth to lessen the brightness of His glory or the full beauty of His face.”
(Source- Great Texts)

​Heaven at Last

Angel voices sweetly singing,
Echoes through the blue dome ringing,
News of wondrous gladness bringing...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Now beneath us all the grieving,
All the wounded spirit's heaving,
All the woe of hopes deceiving...
Ah 'tis heaven at last!

Sin for ever left behind us,
Earthly visions cease to blind us,
Fleshly fetters cease to bind us...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

On the jasper threshold standing,
Like a pilgrim safely landing
See, the strange bright scene expanding...
Ah 'tis heaven at last!

What a city! what a glory!
Far beyond the brightest story
Of the ages old and hoary...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Softest voices silver pealing,
Freshest fragrances spirit-healing,
Happy hymns around us stealing...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Gone the vanity and folly,
Gone the dark and melancholy,
Come the joyous and the holy...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Not a broken blossom yonder,
Not a link can snap asunder,
Stay'd the tempest, sheathed the thunder...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Not a tear-drop ever falleth,
Not a pleasure ever palleth,
Song to song for ever calleth...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Christ Himself the living splendour,
Christ the sunlight mild and tender;
Praises to the Lamb we render...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Now at length the veil is rended,
Now the pilgrimage is ended,
And the saints their thrones ascended...
Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Broken death's dread bands that bound us,
Life and victory around us,
Christ the King Himself hath crowned us...
Ah,'tis heaven at last!
—Horatius Bonar
++++++++++++++++
Robert Reed - Heaven Our Eternal Home
https://youtu.be/YSdeASs7MN0

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3

​Heaven is the Father’s house, where we shall be young again, the ideal home life here revived and sanctified, where friend will meet with friend, where the many mansions will extend their ample hospitality to people of every kindred and tongue and nation; yet even this is not the chief feature of that life to come. Its chief feature is the fellowship not of friend with friend, but of all with Christ—“That where I am, there ye may be also.” The Father’s house is not a perfect place to Christ until He gathers into its mansions all those for whom He died. Not until He has His loved ones beside Him where He is, and has made them what He is, will He be satisfied. That is heaven,—to be with Christ, to see Him as He is, to be as He is. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

​Blessed Homeland
​
Gliding o'er life's fitful waters,
Heavy surges sometimes roll;
And we sigh for yonder haven,
For the homeland of the soul.

Blessed homeland, ever fair!
Sin can never enter there;
But the soul, to life awaking,
Everlasting bloom shall wear.

Oft we catch a faint reflection,
Of its bright and vernal hills;
And, though distant, how we hail it!
How each heart with rapture thrills!

To our Father, and our Savior,
To the Spirit, Three in One,
We shall sing glad songs of triumph
When our harvest work is done.

'Tis the weary pilgrim's homeland,
Where each throbbing care shall cease,
And our longings and our yearnings,
Like a wave, be hushed to peace.
—Fanny Crosby

I Long...
by Clinton Herring © 2021
https://www.amazon.com/Glimpse-God-Poetic-Insights-ebook/dp/B07PGFHKB4

I long to be home, away from strife,
I long to be in the court of the King,
Clothed in joy, new birth, new life!
Hearing the songs celestial choirs sing!

I long, yes now, for the life to come.
I long to stroll on streets of gold!
This world behind, soon far away from,
As in Your word, it is foretold.

I long to stand with saints forgone,
I long to see Your face, my Lord.
Your love on us shall ever dawn.
My life renewed, yes fully restored!

I long to hear Your gentle voice.
I long to be in your presence now!
My spirit thrilled as I rejoice!
Joyfully, humbly forever I'll bow!

I long for Heaven, a place of peace.
I long for Heaven, my true home,
where anger, rage and hatred cease.
I'll be at rest in my Lord's "Shalom".

Philippians 1:23b ...I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far...

Heaven Bound
This page contains scripture verses, poems, commentary, and inspiration on our eternal destination if we are among those who belong to Jesus Christ-and desire to be home with Him,
​where He is-in heaven.
This information, and material is offered freely under terms of Fair Use, according to the United States Fair Use Act of 1976, subsection 107, for research, comment, news, reporting, scholarship, and  educational purposes.
This website is not monetized and no profit is made from posting this information.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear
with him in glory. Col 3:1-4
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear,
​let him hear. Mat 13:43
​For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour,
the Lord Jesus Christ: 
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Php 3:20-21

There are only three ways on record by which any man ever became a citizen of any state; but not by one only, but by all the three, are we citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.
(1) For, first, we were made citizens by purchase. He who was the King of that beautiful city did actually give up for a season His kingdom, and He was content to become a stranger here, and to forfeit all His dignities, and to be human enough to die and to be buried, that He might by that absence and death buy an admission for you and me to that heavenly city.
(2) And, in addition to this purchase by the blood of Christ, it was free for us to take as a gift.
(3) And because birth is better than purchase or gift, therefore by the same grace we are born again, that we should change the place of our nativity and have our settlement no longer in a slavish world, but be born free; and this admission by birth is that which lies in the text: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Look, next, at the privileges of citizenship.
(1) It is the first privilege of every citizen that he is represented. Accordingly it is the plan of God’s great government that every one who belongs to His Church is represented. Christ is gone into heaven for this purpose, and there at God’s right hand He stands.
(2). And the right of a citizen is that he is under the laws of his own state, and no other; he may appeal up to this. The Christian is continually appealing to a grander award than that of this world.
(3) The citizen can go in and out. Is he not free of his own state? But it is a holy liberty. There is the same God to all there in the city; He is very near.
​(4) It is the right or privilege of all citizens to go to the presence of the King. Whatever be their petitions, the access is open. We carry in our hands a white stone, with a new name written; we command entrance by that stone, the proof of our union with Christ. We are His people, and His whole empire is pledged to us; and we may be in that royal presence night and day, and enjoy such elevation and such converse and partake of such favours as it passeth the natural eye to see: "but God has revealed them to us by His Spirit."

​Dead End
by John Janzen © 2017

Each passing day upon this earth
I’m drawing near my death,
Each time I fill my lungs with air
I’ve left one fewer breath

As time goes on I close the gap
From start until the end
These labours cease the day that I
My tabernacle rend

What then of all those fleeting things
I’ve laboured to acquire
Or what of those I’ll leave behind
Sooner than desired

My deepest heart shall be laid bare
My motives once concealed
Shall in the brightness of my Lord
Be perfectly revealed

And what suppose ye would He find
A heart of rapturous joys
Or one of grief still of the world
Bereft of friends and toys

Should I with sadness and regrets
Now spend my living days
Or rather let eternity
Direct my wayward ways

Don’t worry of those left behind
Don’t fret or be afraid
It’s not like God who’s led til now
Can’t lead without your aide

Possessed by our possessions we
Bind fast our earthen ties
So comfortable that when God calls
“So soon?” each one replies

Set your affections up above
Not here upon the earth
This vapour shall soon fade away
To your eternal birth

The hope of those “In Christ” is such
It makes the world grow dim
They count but loss those things they’ve gained
They’ve all in all, in Him

Consider now the greater good
Is it to live or die?
If life means earth and death means Heav’n
Tis hard to choose, but why?

The moment those “in Christ” do pass
Eternity is theirs
The “well done” heard from Jesus lips
Erases all their cares

Suppose we all decided now
To take God at His Word
We choose not to be scared again
But trust the things we’ve heard

Imagine if we faced the grave
With hope and joy and trust
Because in heaven’s treasure store
No moth, no thief, no rust!

Consider if the world looked on
Just utterly amazed
If Christians practiced what they preached
And faced the grave unfazed

In light of this eternity
And promises He’s giv'n
Let’s realign our focal point
And set our sights on heav'n

So bear in mind the lesson here
Don’t run headlong to die
But when God calls to take you home
Just say “Lord, here am I”

It’s guaranteed the time will come
When each must round the bend
What blessed joy the Christian has
To know it’s no dead end

Alone, the sun rises
over people unknown.
Although they ignore it,
its sunlight is thrown,
over the river and
through the faint fog,
like lone little flowers
on top a dead log,
growing so freely,
so gentle, so bright -
as God's great creation
is seen from His light.

Some hovering noises
seem somewhat bizarre,
trespassing nature
from places afar -
while God, the Great Artist
keeps painting His way -
another day passes
just like yesterday.
A bright colored sunset
surrounds a lone loon.
Reflected on water,
His bright crescent moon.

Now stars hold God's canvas
while brush strokes so grand,
paint wide vivid colors
with love's perfect hand.
And God - although we
cannot even imagine -
prepares us a place, in
His painting called 'Heaven'.
So things we see here
will seem dreary and gray,
compared to the next one
that'll blow us away!

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

John 14:2 (KJV)
In my Father's house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.

​Vacation

This page will begin by posting a dream given to me by God on July 16, 1994. I cherish it, and the details of it are still as real, and vivid today, as the day it was given to me. Many things were not added, but what God wants shared is in the details below. May it bless all who read it.

​1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 
1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 

July 16, 1994
 It is late evening, and I'm still reeling from something that happened earlier today. My mind is boggled, and my spirit is torn in many directions. I'm having a hard time believing what happened to me, and don't think anyone else would at all.
 I feel I must try to put this down, but even as I start, there are no words that will do justice to what I've seen, and heard. 

I sat in a recliner late this morning, feeling sorry for myself, and very despondent. Two days ago, I had worked my last day as a legal proofreader for a law book publishing company, Butterworth Publishers (formally Equity Publishing Corp.). I'd been there quite a few years, and along with many other's were given the option of moving with the company out of state, or taking our retirement, or severance pay, and leaving. I had to leave, and now my life looked like a blank wall. Not only was I losing a good paying job, but all the benefits with it, and the fulfillment of a challenging job that I liked.
 As I sat there looking out the window alone, I became drowsy, and noticed the clock on my piano said 11:35 a.m., then I must of gone into sleep. 
 Then, I woke up. But instead of being in my livingroom, I was standing in the middle of a very wide gravel road. Four or five cars could have lined up across it, and along the road were columns of huge trees, and their branches went over the road, making a canopy over it, but I noticed that sunlight still came brightly onto the road....there was no shadows from the branches. These trees were so large, it would take perhaps 10 men reaching and touching hand to hand to circle them. (I'm trying very hard not to exaggerate)
  The sun was warm, but not oppressive, there were amazing smells, aromas of flowers; like light perfume. I was so amazed at what I saw, I could hardly take it in.
 To my left, thru the avenue of trees, I saw the land open up and gently slope downwards revealing a very large body of water, like a huge pond. The water was still and calm. Flowering bushes, trees, and flowers were along the banks, I could see pathways thru them and places to sit right next to the water. The water had all kinds of water fowl, ducks, geese, and swans....which I've always loved.
 The colors were brighter than anything I've ever seen, but not unpleasant. As I continued to try to take this in, I became aware that I was barefoot. I always loved being barefoot, and walking in sand. Looking down, I noticed the gravel was very fine, like gold dust, and felt wonderful between my toes. I stooped down, and picked some up, letting it go thru my fingers. It was like the finest of gold, but as it poured out of my hand, it made no cloud, or fumes in the air. It was pleasantly warm to the touch.
 I stood up again, and then noticed that there was someone standing to my left, and slightly behind me. It was a man, tall, very quiet. He was serious, but with great peace. His hair was dark, as well as his eyes. He stood silently observing me, allowing me to have these moments to myself. But, as I gazed upon him, I knew he was my angel, and somehow I knew him, and that we knew each other well. I recognized his spirit, but didn't know how.
 I thought to myself  "what am I doing here, and where am I?" In my mind the angel answered me, "This is heaven, I'm going to take you to your home." I was speechless. I looked ahead of me, and now noticed that about 100 ft. away was a carriage with two horses harnessed to it, and a silent driver waiting in the front seat, with his back to us. The horses stood in complete calmness and obedience. They were the most beautiful matched pair I'd ever seen. Their color was like a new copper penny, and their manes and tails flaxen blond, and they were exactly the same size.
 The angel spoke to my mind again, "they are waiting for us, we need to get in, and go with them."
 We both stepped up into the carriage, and sat down behind the silent driver. The seat was beautiful deep royal blue velvet, the floor deep rich red. Golden ornaments were on the carriage but not overdone. It was magnificent.
 As the driver lifted the reins, the horses started in unison. He never had to say or do anything more. They seemed to know exactly what to do, and did it with complete calmness. I looked down and noticed they had no shoes on their feet. The angel saw my expression and in my mind he said "there is no need for shoes, there will never be anything to harm them here." 
 Moving along the avenue I looked to my left. Between the trees I saw sloping hills, and pastures sectioned off, and animals in them. Each kind of animal was in their own area. Some like cows in one, sheep in another, and many many horses. Some of the pastures were open and vacant, with beautiful flowering bushes hedging them. The greens were so numerous it was amazing to see them flow together. I could hear and see birds of varieties I'd never seen before flying in flocks, and playing in the air. 
 The hills went on as far as the eye could see, and beyond that, magnificent mountains far in the horizon. I was overwhelmed with the beauty and harmony everywhere. Everything was in perfect proportion, nothing out of place.
 It seemed we drove for a long time, the road gently started to curve to the left, bordering the water and still the avenue of huge trees. Then suddenly the scene changed, we came to the end of the lines of trees and the road opened up to the panorama before us, the land to the left still sloped to the pond, but more open with lawns and well placed small gardens along it's borders. The open fields to the right continued on and on. Directly in front of us, I saw a building. As we approached it, I noticed again it was in perfect proportion to it's surroundings. It was a two story structure, white, a semicircular entry with columns in front of it. The steps were also semicircular, seven steps to the door. They were double doors, dark green, with gold fixtures. There were high windows on each side with green shutters. The shape of the home was rectangle, with four windows in the front (two at each side of the door) at the lower and second levels. The gravel avenue came up within just a few feet of the sloping lawn in front of the home, and a walkway of a few steps to the door.
 The driver stopped at the front, and the angel got down first. As I stepped down, I noticed that now I had simple gold sandals on my feet, they fit perfectly. We went up the steps, the door opened and stepping thru.....I was speechless. The foyer was huge and open to the second floor, and was domed. The dome above me was beautifully sculpted stained glass of many colors that streamed lights of color to the entire entry. As they hit the floor they mingled in a spectacular fashion, like a kaleidoscope. But this was not irritating or extreme, it was beautiful, and was full of life.
 The floor was muted milky marble, and there were muted gray marble columns bordering the circle of the foyer. Beyond this, there were two stairways bordering the walls on each side. They arched to the floor like a graceful skirt, with iron railings beautifully designed. These two stairways met at the second floor with a walkway between them and beyond I could see that there were floor to ceiling windows on the far wall which looked to the outside and the back of the home. This made the home very light and appear even larger. There were doorways on each side of the foyer on both levels, and I could see they were rooms of different kinds. 
 Below to the left a room like a reading, and music room combined. Beautiful furniture, a fireplace, instruments that looked like they had been used often. One, like a cello, leaned on a chair very invitingly. The walls were lined with bookcases to the ceiling, filled with volumes. The windows looked out over the country, and each scene was one of peace, and serenity. The appointments and colors were perfect.
 To the right, there was a dining room. A long table with many chairs, and upholstered seats. Flowers were in the center of the table, and looked vibrant with life.
 On the second floor, the rooms were like bedrooms. They each had private setting places looking out over the gardens, and the mountains beyond. The colors were soft, muted, calming to the soul. The patterns in the fabrics complimented the styles of the rooms but there was imagination, and surprising details making the room inviting and interesting.
 On the first floor, beyond the foyer it was open to the back. More windows were there looking out onto a formal garden, with stone walkways within it. Flowers, bushes, roses, birds, climbing vines with beautiful flowers framed the outside of the windows. The aroma's were rich, and deep.
 But, one of the most amazing things in this home was within the walls that the staircases lined. The walls themselves were huge two story aquariums! They both were full of fish of every kind, some I'd never seen before. As I looked upon them, they came up as close to the glass as they could and in my mind I heard them say to me "Hey, come on in and play with us. We're glad your here!" I could hardly believe what I heard....but then all of a sudden I was in the water with them! But I didn't get wet, they swam around me with joy, and I swam with them enjoying every minute of it. Some of them were huge, the same size as me, but they were like pets. I noticed the angel still in the foyer, with a big smile on his face. There seemed to be no borders to the back of these aquariums....they seemed to go on forever. I couldn't figure this out, and decided not to try.
 Suddenly, I was back in the foyer with the angel, and was not wet. I looked up and wondered to myself, "How high is this foyer?" The angel answered me again in my mind "20 feet". Wow, was all I could say.
 My gaze went straight ahead of me to the open windows, to the garden in the back, and the double doors to it.....I felt a compulsion to go out to it. I stepped thru the doors and just stopped for what seemed like a long time and just tried to take it all in. The beauty was beyond comprehension. The garden was bordered by stone walls that went up about 4ft., and trailing vines, with flowers draped over them, these walls surrounded the garden, making it an outdoor sanctuary, but it was huge. Within it the stone pathways went in several directions, and met each other at times. There were flower beds, fruit trees, and roses of many kinds. In one section a grape arbor was laden with vines and fruit, and under the arbor, an inviting bench.
 I decided to take one of the stone paths to the left. While I had been in the house and upstairs, I had looked down and out, and noticed that a single wide dirt road led out of the left side of this garden, and wandered over a brook, and to a huge barn in the distance, I had only been able to see the roof which was also dark green. Now, as I walked I looked for this path to lead me to the road, the angel walked along silently, but seemed to know where I was going; I could sense it. Around the bend, there it was, the road I'd seen upstairs. I decided to take it, I wanted to see this barn I had gotten a glimpse of earlier.
 As I got closer I could hear the whinny of horses, they seemed to be calling to me. One especially seemed familiar to me.....and I knew it was a male horse. The road graced over the brook with a small bridge, as I crossed it, the barn came into view. It was long and narrow, white with green shutters; double doors on both ends, and stalls on both sides the full length of it. It looked to be about 100-150ft. long. The road sloped gently up to it, and as I walked along I could still hear the horses, they were greeting me, and even though they hadn't seen me yet. 
 Then I heard a voice very familiar to me....it was the voice of my husband coming to me from the barn. "Come on up, let me show you around." I continued walking and got to the front doors of the barn. Looking in I saw the most magnificent horses I've ever seen. They looked at me with intelligence, and as if they knew me, and shook their heads up and down in greeting. Halfway down the aisle, I saw a man bending over a piece of equipment, he stood up and turned around...It was Lynn (my husband). He smiled warmly to me, started walking to me, my heart was melting in me. He looked as he did when we first married, but even more handsome. 
 Suddenly, with a jolt, I heard a door slam.....and I was awake, back in the recliner in the living room. The first thing my eyes saw, was the clock, it was 3:36 in the afternoon.
 My husband's steps came in from the kitchen, as he walked he said "Lorna, are you here?" I could not answer, I was frozen. He came around the corner and looked at me in the chair, then said "Are you ok? You look like your in shock." All I could do was nod a "no". At this, he started relaying his day, while I sat there trying to come to my senses. 
 After a few minutes of acting like I was listening to him, I asked a crazy question, "Lynn, how high is our cathedral ceiling (which was what our living room was)". He looked at me with a question in his eyes, but answered "It is 14ft. to the center". My mind was still in the foyer of that beautiful home.....remembering.

Personal Notes:
 There are some very interesting things I've taken note of about this visit that only God would know.
1. from a very little girl, I've had a fascination and loved tropical, and ocean fish of every kind. One of my first memories is of sitting on my father's lap while he showed me a book of color pictures of ocean life, it was always the one I picked for him to look at with me. When I became a woman, and just a few yrs. ago, I was able to purchase my first aquarium, and have raised many kinds of tropical fish. 
 2. From the age of 3, horses have been another fervent love of mine. I would sit and dream of owning Arabian horses, but we were very poor, and I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would own any. But in 1984, I was able to purchase my first Arab mare, and have owned several since. I also showed, trained and owned my own business for over 20 yrs. The Lord has blessed me beyond my dreams.
 3. Green has always been my favorite color, especially for home décor.
 4. My husband and I are country people, and like elbow room, we lived in a very rural setting at the end of a dead end road. Living in Northern Vermont, we both love mountains.
 5. My husband loves raising fruits, berries, and vegetables, and has done this for many yrs. the grounds around this house was graced with every kind of garden and fruit tree, and berry bushes in long rows, like he has had here.
 6. The fact that he was already there was a prophetic message to me.....he is there now. My husband died in 2004 in my arms, of a heart attack, and ironically in July ten yrs. later. His funeral was on July 16, 2004, 10 years to the day, from the day I had this dream.

Note: Some time after this dream, I began to pray about some of the content in it, and asked the Lord first, if it truly was given by Him, or if I was deceived, and second, was there something of significance I had missed that should be noticed. This was my answer from the Holy Ghost:
"Yes, the dream was from me, it is a brief stamp on your heart and mind, of what is to come. It's for encouragement for the journey before you. And, in the dream when you noticed the brightness of what you thought was the sun, it was in reality-the Light of My Son, as referred to in Revelation. As you noticed, an actual sun was never seen, only the evidence of a Light Source." The verse below confirms what the Holy Ghost gave me. 
Rev 22:5  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 
​
Another interesting aspect to Jesus being the Source of Light in heaven, was the rhythm and changes of hues, and atmosphere it created, as what appeared to be a "day and time" moved forward. When I first stood on the golden sand of the wide avenue, and got in the carraige with the angel to go to my home, time seemed to move forward as it does on earth. It was a bright early morning when I first awoke in heaven, and as "time" moved on the brightness and the atmosphere changed as it does here, only there was no oppressive heat, or humidity. The warmth of the Son was always pleasant and inviting to the body, and the spirit. As time seemed to move on in the day-the hues and appearance of the light changed as if a sun was going down, and setting. An evening hush came upon the land, and the animals, and a peace beyond description. However, it only came to a point of when the sun is just about to set, and then it stayed in that position, it never became really dark, only a hushed peaceful evening. Then, it would begin a gradual increase of light again, and once again, a bright clear morning. Even as I'm trying to convey this-I'm not coming close to doing it justice. But, I hope the reader can get a picture of what is being described. 
There is so much more that could be said, but this is what I'm able to share. May it draw you to seek the Lord, and His salvation. There is a place waiting for you, if you will turn to Christ, and let Him in your heart.
Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 
Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 
Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 
Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

​Sadhu Sundar Singh was an early 20th Century Indian Christian mystic who experienced mystical visions from the spiritual world. Singh suffered many mishaps and persecutions during his travels throughout India, Tibet, and other Asian countries. He had a remarkable ability to reach into the deeper truths found in all beliefs and show their fulfillment in Christ. He disappeared in 1929 while traveling to Tibet, possibly dying from a cholera outbreak. 
To have a spiritual experience is to delve into the deeper teachings of Christ. This is what Sundar Singh dedicated his life towards.  His desire (as ours should also be" was to get to know his Master and Teacher in the deepest way possible. Because of his dedication, desire, and discipline, he was rewarded with close encounters with the spiritual realm. 
We, too, can go into that realm. But we must understand that God is a rewarder of those who DILIGENTLY seek Him.  And that diligence requires self discipline to use time and sacrifice to search for those blessings of spiritual and mystical communication.

One of the greatest things about how Jesus spoke, is His ability to sum up the definition of a situation, a person, and even an entire book-in a few words, and every word has power, and impact. In the many years I've studied the Bible, I've come away time after time, in awe of His ability to give you a complete picture of every problem, or situation, with no word wasted.
It isn't openly said in scripture, But as I have read the verses Jesus spoke of on the value of a soul, and what man would exchange for it, I came away seeing these precise statements from Jesus were a perfect answer to all of Solomon's questions, and observations concerning life, and it's futility without God. Read Jesus' words, and see if you don't agree.

Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 
Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 
Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mar 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 
Mar 8:37  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 
Mar 8:38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 
Luk 9:25  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 
Luk 9:26  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. 

His words' are so clear, like a sword that cuts through man's deceptions, and motives, to the heart of what the truth really is. You're left seeing your own heart exposed, and where you really stand with Christ. Most people, will never let Jesus get that close, or let His words speak to them. Many shut the door of their hearts, because they won't allow the Lord to convict them of the truth about themselves. But, these verses answer Solomon's debates and observations about the vanity and emptiness of life, without surrendering to Jesus, as Lord and Christ. Jesus said He came to give live, and give it more abundantly, and that it is Satan who has come to kill, steal, and destroy. We see the evidence of this, everywhere today.
The sermons by Vernon McGee on the book of Ecclesiastes will also give insight into this book, and give a picture of our day, and how it fits in very well with the issues we are facing.
Ecclesiastes 01-02 - J Vernon McGee - Thru the Bible- https://youtu.be/6X9gG_n6Fl0​
​Ecclesiastes 03-05 - J Vernon McGee - Thru the Bible- https://youtu.be/X5PpXr9X3lY
21 Ecclesiastes 06-09 - J Vernon McGee - Thru the Bible- https://youtu.be/A0Hg-Tb-oms
21 Ecclesiastes 10-12 - J Vernon McGee - Thru the Bible- https://youtu.be/0a0R8Mf1a-4​

Life brings times of reflection, and assessing. Of late, this has been going on for me.
​
Looking down the corridors, and pathways behind me on this journey, and taking stock of where it's brought me to this point.

Then, turning again to the road ahead, gazing over the horizon. I'm looking forward to seeing the shores of home, and heaven. Only God knows how much more time He's appointed for me here, but home is more and more, a part of my thoughts.
​
Paul talked at times of longing to put off his earthly body, and leave it behind, to be clothed with the new body made in heaven, waiting for him there. 

Php 1:23  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 
(Note: this verse answers the dispute on soul sleep-a false doctrine)
2Co 5:1  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
2Co 5:2  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 
2Co 5:3  If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 
2Co 5:4  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 

When the journey has been long, the road full of rough trodding, with many dangers and toils-and the bend in the roads have wrought many perils-weariness sets in, and a longing to leave it behind.

The vanity and emptiness to achieve what we can't keep. A world of parading, boasting; full of empty, meaningless talk. 

The selfishness, throw-away mentality- of things and people. What is of true value-is overlooked, and many times ridiculed. 

These bodies begin to complain, and won't cooperate anymore-our minds may have all kinds of desires, and want to push our bodies to  "get up and go"-but the body says "I'm out of gas, and repair". 

Our minds may be as alert and keen as a school kid-but the world looks at you, and treats you as if your demented, because your face and body gives away your mileage, and age. The world promotes youth and beauty, and you no longer fit into that category. You begin to shut the door to the world-and keep it shut-or you waste money and energy trying to re-make yourself, and stay looking young to keep up the front, and be accepted by the world. It becomes a vicious circle-and the devil laughs at the entire scenario-and the futility of those who waste their lives like this.

The devil will make sure you keep wasting time and money on worthless things-to keep your eyes off of what really matters, and eternity. By all means, he doesn't want you thinking about what's beyond this world-because he owns this world right now, and he wants you to stay a prisoner of it-as long as he can use you.

But, back to the main subject.

At this bend in the road of my journey-I'm finding my soul longing for things that only heaven can give, this is some of them:
​
1. The thought is that when the spirit leaves the mortal clay, it lays off an old and worn-out clothing, and is to be clothed upon, or invested in, its divine clothing. To have a body that's full of youth, strength, that will never grow old again, nor decay. It's not that we want to be free from a body, but wish a better one; one that is immortal-then, we will be as John says "like Jesus" in his resurrected state.

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 

"Salvation isn’t just for the soul or spirit, but for the body also. Resurrection is how God saves our bodies. We have a glorious new body to come! “The righteous are put into their graves all weary and worn; but as such they will not rise. They go there with the furrowed brow, the hollowed cheek, the wrinkled skin; they shall wake up in beauty and glory.” (Spurgeon)

2. I'm looking for a home, that will never need repair, or rust. It's environment will never be contaminated or destroyed by careless, selfish hands-and best of all-it will be forever.

Jesus tells us:
Mat 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 
Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 
oh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 
Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

Perhaps, like I -you have known what's it's like to work, build up, and  achieve great successes-but also great losses. With every loss, the reality that we keep nothing in this world, sinks in. God's promises of heaven, become more important, and precious to me, with each passing day. Scripture tells the result of those who only seek to achieve in this life:

Psa 39:6  Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 

Riches and honors are fickle unstable things. Those who's lives are spent always to build up, achieve, and present to the world their accomplishments-are never satisfied, and know nothing of true contentment. Their souls are in relentless turmoil, striving to build a reputation and applause of men-who do not care, and the results are usually a yawn, and watching their backs as they walk away. 

I've learned that whatever I do, just do it because the Lord has asked it of me, and leave the results to Him. Then, peace of mind remains.

3. Death will be swallowed up in victory- the moment my eyes close in death- eternity in the Presence of my Savior and Lord begins-

2Co 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 

In His presence is fullness of joy, gladness, peace, wholeness. Words cannot fully express what it will be like-I've had glimpses of it, and long for the day, when it will be forever.

Psa 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

4. All suffering, grief, pain, and regrets will be washed away-God Himself will wipe away our tears.

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 
Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 
Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 

In that abode-Satan will be banished forever. The accuser of the brethren will have no access to stand before God, and bring up every sin, wrong decision and mistake you've made-to condemn, and destroy you-in mind, body, and soul.

5. Evil, wickedness, and sin will not exist in heaven. Galatians gives us the description of this:

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Yes, I am looking forward to being in a place-where none of this exists, and never will again. I'm weary of it.

In heaven, when I come across someone and engage in conversation, I'll  never have to wonder, if they are lying-or not.

Les Feldic talked about sin and lying in one of his bible studies that is true:
"You watch kids in the school yard, or inter-acting with other kids, you don't have to teach them to lie. They come by it naturally. But, you do have to teach them to tell the truth, why? Because it proves it is in us when we are born, we are born in sin. It's the same with every other sin; stealing, killing, and cruelty to other's."

In heaven, when doing something with another, I'll never have to wonder if they have evil intentions. Heaven will never have the sound of mocking laughter, people being brutalized, tormented, insulted, ridiculed, made to feel inferior. The devils works nor his deeds will be seen or heard in that abode.

Those who practice such will not be found in heaven:
Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 
Rev 21:27  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

Heaven will only be inhabited by those who practice the virtues of the Holy Spirit, which are:

Isa 61:8  For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

6. I'm looking forward to seeing many loved ones, and friends who are now there, and waiting. I've had the advantage of being able to talk to my parents before they died, and speak of things that were important to us-and express the fact that we would see each other again, and they make it clear- "We will be waiting for you." 

There are other family members there now, that are dear to me, and am looking forward to seeing again-there, there will be no misunderstandings, we will then know, as we are known. The misunderstandings will be cleared up, by truth, and in our glorified state- we will see each other through new eyes. We will no longer be hindered by the bodies of sin we lived in. Sin will be banished there forever.​

The friends I loved, and spent many hours with, and did many precious things together, are also there-and I am looking forward to that reunion. Several said to me "When you get there, I'll show you around." It's going to be a tour like no other, because they've had time to do a lot of exploring, and I'm excited about where they'll want to take me, and the glorious things they'll show me.

When I get home-in that abode, there will be no more parting.

7. On that glorious shore-there will be no more memories of the former things-the evil, wickedness, the horror of this world. It will be gone, wiped away. 

"No sorrow or travail of any kind shall ever enter within the walls of the city. The cry of anguish shall never be uttered, hearts shall never be broken, no tear shall ever dim the eye, and, most glorious of all, death shall be unknown. Death began his sway when man was expelled from Paradise; he ends it when the final judgment condemns Satan, death and hades to enter the lake of fire. The new Jerusalem will be painless, tearless, deathless, because it will be a sinless city. "The former things have passed away." John Gill

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
 Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 
Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 

There's a few things I'm looking forward to when I first get there. But, the most important, is to see Jesus-kneel at His feet, and thank Him for His mercy, and forgiveness to me. For the years He's been with me here, and the things He's taught me, and brought me through. For His patience and ongoing forgiveness, when I've failed Him. For choosing me, and calling me to serve Him-I do not deserve it.
Scripture talks about the Great City, the New Jerusalem. It will be grand, I'm sure. But, for me, knowing who I am, and how much Jesus has forgiven me-I'm looking forward to whatever He has prepared for me.

My sights and my gaze are seeking a home, on the far side of heaven. Just being there, and in His presence is more than this redeemed sinner deserves.
​
Then, to join the elders, angels, and saints around the throne-and worship the Father, and the Lamb forever, and ever-and sing the song of Moses, the song of victory.
Lorna Couillard

Scripture and Commentary on Heaven

                                                                     The River of Life
Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 
Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 
Rev 22:3  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 
Rev 22:4  And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 
Rev 22:5  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 

Jesus Is Coming
Rev 22:6  And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 
Rev 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 
Rev 22:8  And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 
Rev 22:9  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 
Rev 22:10  And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 
Rev 22:11  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 
Rev 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 
Rev 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 
Rev 22:14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 
Rev 22:15  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 
Rev 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 
Rev 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 
Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 
Rev 22:19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 
Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 
Rev 22:21  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

From David Guzik commentary:
Revelation 22:1-21
                                                               COME, LORD JESUS
A. The interior of the New Jerusalem.
1. (Rev_22:1) A river flowing from the throne of God.
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

a. A pure river of water of life: Through the Old Testament, prophets used the picture of a river as a powerful expression of richness, provision, and peace (Isa_48:18, Zec_14:8, Eze_47:1-9).

i. Or, as expressed by the Psalmist in Psa_46:4-5 : There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
ii. “One of the gladdest things on earth is water. There is nothing in all the world so precious to the eye and the imagination of the inhabitant of the dry, burning and thirsty East, as a plentiful supply of bright, pure, and living water.” (Seiss)
iii. Poole says that this point of this river is “To let us know, that in heaven there shall be no want of any thing that can make the saints happy.”

b. Clear as crystal: God’s provision in the New Jerusalem is described with pure, absolutely unpolluted waters. “Its waters are literal waters, of a nature and quality answering to that of the golden city to which they belong. Man on earth never knew such waters, as men on earth never knew such a city; but the city is a sublime reality.” (Seiss)
​
c. From the throne of God and of the Lamb: This river of provision comes right from God’s throne. Because it comes from God, it cannot be anything other than pure and abundant.

i. Ezekiel saw a glorious river (Ezekiel 47) flow down from the temple in Jerusalem and into the sea, but that river belongs to the millennial earth. It is perhaps the final preview of this heavenly river. This is a better river with better trees.

2. (Rev_22:2) The tree of life.
In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

a. The tree of life: The Bible begins with a tree of life (Gen_3:22-24) which man was not allowed to eat from after the sin at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now we see the tree of life again.

i. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river: It’s a little hard to picture this heavenly landscaping. John may be describing a large street with a river flowing down the middle, and a large tree - or series of trees - that grows with roots on either side of the river.
ii. This is how John Walvoord sees it: “The visual picture presented is that the river of life flows down through the middle of the city, and the tree is large enough to span the river, so that the river is in the midst of the street, and the tree is on both sides of the river.” Others see that the word tree is a collective reference, speaking of rows of trees that stand on either side of the river. “The picture presented to the mind’s eye would appear to be that of a wide street, with a river flowing down the center, like some of the broader canals of Holland, with trees growing on either side, all of them of the same kind, all called the tree of life. I do not know how we can make the figure out in any other way.” (Spurgeon)
iii. Seeing the tree of life again points to a restoration of all things. “Now at last, almost at the end of the great drama of the Bible, man may return and legitimately enjoy the blessing which he was banished for illegitimately desiring.” (Preston/Hanson)

b. Each tree yielding its fruit every month: From all indications, this describes the world of the new heaven and the new earth, yet we are given a time indicator. Apparently, heaven will still mark time, but not be subject to it in the same way we are on this side of eternity.

i. Some people wonder if we will eat in heaven. The best answer is that we can eat, but will not have to. In His resurrection body, Jesus enjoyed food (Luk_24:41-43, Joh_21:12-14). Angels ate with Abraham (Gen_18:6-8). The great heavenly “reunion” between Jesus and His people is described as a marriage supper (Rev_19:9). Even though man fell by what he ate, God will still allow us to eat in heaven.

ii. “Like the golden table of showbread which ever stood in the ancient Tabernacle and Temple for the priests to eat, so the Tree of Life stands in all the golden streets of the New Jerusalem, with its monthly fruit for the immortal king-priests of heaven.” (Seiss)

c. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations: Why do the nations need healing? In the ancient Greek language, the word for healing can also mean “health-giving,” and this may be the sense here.

i. “The word for ‘healing’ is therapeian, from which the English word therapeutic is derived, almost directly transliterated from the Greek. Rather than meaning ‘healing,’ it should be understood as ‘health-giving,’ as the word in its root meaning has the idea of serving or ministering.” (Walvoord)

d. Are these pictures of heaven literal or symbolic? It may be that you can’t describe another dimension like heaven without using symbols, but they are symbols connected to their reality. What John saw may or may not be exactly like a river on earth, but when we see it we will also say, “That looks like a river.”

i. Even though this great chapter of the Bible tells us of heaven, we should think deeply about it and take in now what we can. “We do not suppose that a man is shooting at a target if he does not look that way; nor can we imagine that a man’s ambition is fixed on heaven if he has no heavenward thoughts or aspirations.” (Spurgeon)

3. (Rev_22:3-5) What it will be like and what the saints will do.
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

a. There shall be no more curse: In heaven, the curse is gone. Since the fall, man and creation have lived with the effect of the curse described in Gen_3:16-19 : sorrow and pain in childbirth for women, friction between the sexes, the necessity of hard and often futile work for man’s sustenance, and most of all death.

i. These aspects of the curse will even be present during the Millennium, though they will be greatly mitigated by the perfect rule of Jesus. Isa_65:20 shows us that it is still possible for a sinner to be accursed in the millennial earth. But in the new heaven and new earth they are done away with forever. Instead of the curse, the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. That’s quite an exchange.

ii. The throne of God and of the Lamb: “Henceforth, eternal praises to his name, the throne of God is the throne of the Lamb. It is a throne of righteousness, but no less a throne of grace. There, on the throne of the Almighty, mercy reigns. According to the merit of the sacrifice and the virtue of the atonement all the statutes and decrees of the kingdom of heaven are issued. The altar and the throne have become identical. From that throne no fiery bolt can ever again be hurled against the believer, for it is the throne of the Lamb as well as the throne of God.” (Spurgeon)

b. His servants shall serve Him: Heaven will be a place of work and service for God’s people. However, this is a picture of the pure blessedness of service rather than arduous, curse-stained toil.

i. “Heaven is not a place of indolent leisure, but a place where service is done, centering on God.” (Morris)

c. They shall see His face: Heaven will be a place where God’s people see His face, a place of intimate, face to face fellowship with God. Moses was denied the privilege of seeing God face to face (Exo_33:20-23), but everyone in heaven shall see His face.

i. They shall see His face: “By which I understand two things: first, that they shall literally and physically, with their risen bodies, actually look into the face of Jesus; and secondly, that spiritually their mental faculties shall be enlarged, so that they shall he enabled to look into the very heart, and soul, and character of Christ, so as to understand him, his work, his love, his all in all, as they never understood him before.” (Spurgeon)
ii. Because of Jesus, we can know something of the face of God right now: For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2Co_4:6)
iii. Yet, Paul also anticipated a greater fulfillment of our seeing the face of God: For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am also known (1Co_13:12). In that day there will be nothing that obscures our vision of Jesus:

• We see Jesus clearly because sin is done away with
• We see Jesus clearly because care and worry are done away with
• We see Jesus clearly because idols are done away with

iv. This will be the greatest glory of heaven: to know God, to know Jesus, more intimately and wonderfully than we ever could on earth. “It is the chief blessing of heaven, the cream of heaven, the heaven of heaven, that the saints shall there see Jesus.” (Spurgeon)

v. “To look into the face of Christ signifies to be well acquainted with his person, his office, his character, his work. So the saints in heaven shall have more knowledge of Christ than the most advanced below. As one has said, the babe in Christ admitted to heaven discovers more of Christ in a single hour than is known by all the divines of the assemblies of the church on earth.” (Spurgeon)

d. His name shall be on their foreheads: Heaven will be a place where God’s people will forever be identified with their God, and there will never be any doubt that they belong to Him.
e. There shall be no more night there: Heaven will be a place where the darkness of this age will be forever gone. The light is not artificial, even from the sun - God Himself is the light.
f. They shall reign forever and ever: Heaven will be a place where God’s people enjoy an eternal reign, in contrast to the limited duration of the Millennium. It will never end.
Lorna Couillard

To the Pilgrims who walk upon earth
mere strangers here, treated as alien
or madmen.
To the Pilgrims who are persecuted
To the Pilgrims who live in greatest danger.
To the Pilgrims whose hearts are broken.
To the pilgrims who are quickened by
The Holy Spirit to say 
'Lord if its Thy Will make me clean today'.

To the Pilgrims who pray assured 
'Take my sins & let Thy Light from Heaven
shine through my heart for His names sake,
For He, Himself is Pure'.

To the Pilgrims of sorrow, weariness & pain
God feels ALL, He knows ALL,
As valleys of tears in paradise overflow
the old has gone, come, now, be restored. 
For He, Himself is pure.

To the Pilgrims, hold Christ's Doctrine close,
Cleave to His Holy Word as a lamp for thy soul,
a mighty abode of treasures
that can be neither purchased, bartered or sold.
For He, Himself is pure.

The length of the journey is shorter now 
arise, the bridegroom awaits. 
The Pilgrims have oil that forever flows.
The empty vessels? Yes Yes,
the walking dead have slept away their fate.

The Wrath of Judgement, 
see the innocent ascend, set apart, 
raised high in Gods Victory
never to see corruption,
never to feel pain.
neither to stand amongst
the dead, the dead, 
the dead will all arise, arise, arise again.

Our Lord hastens His Coming 
furnished in All Majesty & Glory,
Look,evil trembles in shock,
falling to their knees, 
a pagan world that mocked.

Myriads of Angels rise to wash away, 
filth and corruption to purify Gods Day 
Hail, The Light shines bright, encore
He is Coming, forever His love endures
For He, Himself is pure.

By sanction of a flaming sword,
Behold His Promise is His Word
Be awakened by The Grace of Our Lord 
For He Himself is pure.

To all Gods Pilgrims keep the faith ...Amen
​author unknown