“Although my children are very good to me,” said an aged Christian widow, “there is a distance felt between us. They are not happy, as I am, to have the things of God often before them the things in which I find all my joy, comfort, and satisfaction. Of course, they assert that they are Christians, and hope to go to heaven; but I wonder why they want to go there. They are not happy to have the close companionship of Christians on earth, and I wonder how they think they would ever be happy in the company of the Lord, and of Christians for all eternity.”
Yes, that Christian was right, they would not be happy in heaven. No unsaved person would ever be happy in heaven, for he would be there in his sins, exposed by the light and glory of that place. He could not stand the searching light of the presence of a holy God, but would flee from it. People who know not Jesus as their Lord and Savior, vainly imagine that they want to go to heaven, but even a sober reflection would tell them they are wrong. They dread the thought of meeting that holy God. They are not even happy in the presence and company of a Christian who is walking a consistent, godly, and separated life down here, and much prefer the company of those who, with themselves, enjoy the pleasures and vanities of this poor world. There will be none of the pleasures of this fallen world in heaven—not one. The constant and unending joy and occupation of heaven will be the Lord Jesus Christ. Every heart and tongue there will swell with praise to Him who loved them and died for them. There will indeed be a time of perfect joy, unmarred by anything.
Yes! in that light unstained,
Our stainless souls shall live,
Our heart's deep longings more than gained,
When God His rest shall give.
His presence there, my soul,
Its rest, its joy untold,
Shall find when endless ages roll,
And time shall ne'er grow old.
Like Jesus in that place
Of light and love supreme;
Once Man of Sorrows full of grace,
Heaven's blest and endless theme.
Friend, how is it with you? Are you saved? Are your sins forgiven? Do you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior? If your answer is “Yes” you will be one of that happy company in heaven. You will be fully fitted to enjoy that home above forever and ever. But if you can only say “No” to those questions, then you will never be in heaven (no matter what your neighbors think about you); and you would not want to be there. Your solemn doom will be the blackness of darkness forever (Jude 13)—confined with the ungodly of all ages, and with the Devil himself—banished from the presence of God. Hear what the word of God has to say about the blessing and joy of the
Saved:
“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. 21:4.
“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: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. 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.” Rev. 22:4-6. God also tells about the
Lost.
“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. 21:6.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:15.
It Is Not yet Too Late
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation,” 2 Cor. 6:2.
“Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5:6.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.
“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Heb. 3:15.