Is Heaven Real?

Is Heaven Real?

There have been a number of books written about people’s after-life experiences, one of which turned out to be totally untrue. These books describe the particular person’s out-of-body experience where they arrive at a place Christians call heaven. 

But it seems that the idea or belief in such a place as heaven has been in steady decline. The proverbial carrot-on-a-stick enticement of heaven for a life well-lived no longer holds sway in people’s beliefs, and in fact, many people, including people who profess to be Christian, completely dismiss the idea of a heavenly realm. They, instead, would like to envision heaven being something that can be achieved here on earth. The thought of a heavenly dimension carry with it the reality of dying and the lack of any repercussions awaiting them after death. 

Most Christians would readily indicate that they would, of course, choose heaven rather than spend eternity in hell; choosing the lesser of two evils. Those who hold doubts about heaven most likely see heaven as a rather boring place, where one sits on a cloud and plays a harp all day. Basically, they feel that there is simply nothing to do in heaven. 

However, the point isn’t what one does in heaven but more of a matter of who’s in heaven. It is the everlasting Triune God who reigns in splendor and majesty. As the Psalmist reminds us about being in God’s presence, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” 

Is it this fullness of joy and pleasures that turns people off? If so, I would pose this question to those who doubt the reality of heaven, “If you believe in God, how could you not believe that there is a realm where he dwells?” It would seem one can’t have the one without the other. 

In writing the rule attributed to the Irish Saint, Ciaran, the author suggested that a so-called Christian, who held no concept of heaven, would be duty-bound to denounce the faith rather than influencing others by their lack of excitement for the world to come. 

It goes without saying, people who don’t appreciate the reality of heaven have no place in it. (Many thanks to T.M. Moore and his publication Crofigell for helping to generate this piece.) - Curtis +