In this video, Grace@Work leader Cortney Alexander discusses whether heaven will be boring.
The apostle Paul instructs followers of Jesus, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2). Paul was telling us that we should focus on our eternal destiny rather than our immediate circumstances in this life. That takes diligence for any of us. But it will be particularly difficult to focus our attention on eternity if we have no idea what that will be like. Or if our only concept of heaven involves a bunch of bored-looking babies sitting on clouds playing harps. So what does Scripture tell us about eternity?
First, there will be no death or suffering in God’s eternal kingdom (Rev. 21:4). That doesn’t tell us what we’ll be doing in heaven, but it tells us what we won’t be doing! Think how much more time we’ll have if we don’t spend it suffering—or worrying about suffering!
Now, moving to what eternity will involve, we know that it will involve worshipping Jesus (Rev. 7:9-17). Sometimes, people get the idea that that will be boring. But when Jesus returns, those who believe will see him in his full glory (1 Jn. 3:2). I don’t think it’s possible to describe what that will be like. But try to imagine what it would be like to be in the presence of the most beautiful, powerful, wise, generous, and compassionate person in the world. How long would it take you to get tired of that?
Next, people wonder if we’ll have any responsibilities besides worshipping. Scripture only give us hints on this topic, but it suggests we will have responsibilities. First, God designed man for work. Not the tedious struggle for survival that resulted from Adam’s sin in the garden of Eden, but a fulfilling work tending God’s creation. One Old Testament prophesy about Jesus says that “[o]f the increase of his government, there will be no end” (Isa. 9:7).
In certain New Testament passages, Jesus says those who believe will reign with him (e.g., Rev. 2:26; 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:12). In other passages, he talks about giving authority over particular cities to those who faithfully serve him in this life (Lk. 19:17). So while we don’t have a lot of detail, what we do have suggests that we will have responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven. Maybe our experiences in this life—including the suffering none of us enjoy—will train us to manage these responsibilities well.
Finally, the kingdom of heaven will be satisfying. Jesus gave one illustration in which he said the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son (Matt. 22:1-14). This concept of a heavenly wedding feast is repeated elsewhere in Scripture, so it’s something particularly worthy of our attention. Think about what a royal wedding feast entails: joy—a celebration that the King’s son has found a bride.
There will be rest and relaxation. Jesus referred to people coming from the east and the west, and from the north and south—from all over the world—to recline at table in the kingdom of God (Matt. 8:11). He gives us the picture of eating to the full—of being satisfied.
A wedding also entails a bride and groom. When Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a King giving a wedding feast for his Son, it’s pretty easy to identify the groom: The groom is Jesus, the Son of God. But who’s the bride? Scripture tells us that believers collectively are the bride of Christ (e.g., Eph. 5:31-32). When believers enter the kingdom of heaven, they will participate in the wedding feast of Jesus. And they will participate not merely as spectators, but as the bride of Christ (Rev. 19:6-10).
One recurring theme in Scripture is how a groom rejoices over his bride. In heaven, Jesus will rejoice over believers like a groom rejoices over his bride (Isa. 62:5; Zph. 3:17). I promise you that will not boring!
Hopefully, these few points give you a taste of life in the kingdom of heaven. As we wrap our minds about what Scripture says that awaits those who believe, it will be so much easier to follow Paul’s instruction to set our minds on things above rather than whatever our present circumstances may be in this life.
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