Nearly all adults have driven in foggy conditions. Even with our headlights on, oftentimes we can only see ahead a very short distance. When it comes to understanding exactly what eternity will be like for us in the heavens, we can’t see into the future with a clear understanding of what lies ahead. God has kept some of the wonders of heaven a mystery. However, the Bible does give us some glimpse into eternity, if we are willing to look carefully.
Believers in the Dispensation of Grace can gain some insight into what things will be like in eternity by studying the promises revealed to Israel about their eternal existence. Jeremiah 31:33 promises, “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Those in eternity will serve the Lord in pure devotion. Luke 20:33-36 promises, “in the resurrection…neither can they die anymore.” Revelation 21:4 adds, “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.” Sorrow and pain will be replaced by rejoicing and only happy memories in eternity. Zephaniah 3:9 promises, “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.” Everyone may be united in one language and happy service to the Lord. Matthew 19:29 reveals that God will richly reward those who were sacrificially faithful to Him. While many of these promises apply to life for redeemed Jews in the Millennial Kingdom, these descriptions also apply to resurrected Jewish saints who will experience eternal life in the Kingdom while Christ reigns as Lord of Lords.
While we should always be careful NOT to claim promises given to Israel indiscriminately, we cautiously suggest the eternal existence of members of the Body of Christ in the heavens is likely to have some of these parallel blessings. We too will be given new, eternal, pain-free bodies (I Corinthians 15:42-54), have a joyous existence in the presence of Christ, (I Thessalonians 4:17), and will have active service for the Lord (II Timothy 2:12; I Corinthians 6:1-3). Knowing that these things await us, we should set our affections on things above, and living now in light of eternity.