What is missing from your retirement plans? Surely you have thought about everything: financial security, a home in the best climate, near an airport and a fine church, and certainly close to a good hospital. We are getting older, you know.

Has the thought of Heaven intruded into this planning?

“Am I really prepared for that move?” you might ask. “Do my retirement plans include researching Heaven? What do I really know about Heaven? Will I like it when I get there? Will I feel at home in Heaven?”

Heaven is the last move you will ever make, regardless of your age. It is permanent!

The prospect that one should “live forever and not see corruption” (Psalm 49:9, King James Version) is one of the grand propositions of Scripture. The Lord Jesus declared,

Physical death is not the end. It is only the beginning.

As God unfolds his secrets in the book of Revelation, we get a glimpse into our new neighborhood, Heaven. Chapter 21 bursts on the scene under John’s pen: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (v. 1, New International Version).

John visualizes the new city, Jerusalem, the abode of God. This is not a state of disembodied bliss; it is the highest expression of human civilization. The New Jerusalem is characterized as his bride. John describes her as dazzling beauty reflecting God’s glory. Pure, devoted to Christ, this is a place of security and joy. It is depicted as a cube measuring about 1,500 miles on each side. There is room for everyone. A high wall suggests protection. The 12 gates are named for the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 foundations carry the names of the 12 apostles.

Through the center of the city, flowing through the beautiful park, runs the river of life. On each side of the river God has placed trees, each tree bearing fruit. The leaves of the trees have healing properties.

The city will be illuminated by the radiant glory of God. No need for streetlights at night, no thugs crouching in dark alleys, for there is no night here. The 12 gates will never be closed. People may come and go. The city will be clean and pure. Gone is the curse on the ground after the Fall. In this city, the workers of the soil will be rewarded with much fruit for their labors.

Satisfaction, rare in our present world, will be characteristic here. Society will be perfect because we will be changed. With our resurrected bodies we will enjoy our complete, glorified state.

There is no temple in this city. John remembered the temple in Jerusalem. The temple was where the people met with their God. However, this city has no need for a temple because God will be present here with his people. As John pens his word picture he shows Heaven not just as a place but as a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Surely we will fall before him in genuine worship “for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

The book of Revelation can be a powerful incentive to holy living, but it also rebukes our complacency, Superficial Christianity threatens each of us. Our faith must be more than stubborn adherence to a creed or constant striving for virtue. Our faith must lead us to adoration, a devotion to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God wants us to “eat and drink” with him. He calls us to intimacy, to a relaxed, daily fellowship with him. Intimacy is no light matter. It implies an honest sharing of personal concerns. If I am formal or awkward in the presence of God I really do not know him well. I miss the wonderful privilege to be “comfortable” with him.

As you work through your retirement plans, let this be the time to improve your relationship with the Father while waiting for “the Moment.” Just as a bride prepares for her wedding, so believers prepare to join our Savior in our new home.

Could this be what is missing from your retirement plans? |L

OUTLOOK is a forum for responsible Christian writers. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Standard Publishing or The Lookout.

OTHER COLUMNS:
November 15, 2009 - Bringing Christ to French Guiana
November 1, 2009 - Walking the edge
October 18, 2009 - Watch what you say
October 4, 2009 - Proposing a new proverb
September 20, 2009 - Fear and trembling
September 6, 2009 - Elwyn
August 23, 2009 - Where did the Bible go?
August 9, 2009 - The public school: a local mission field
July 26, 2009 - Astonishing the judges
July 12, 2009 - Letting the past go
June 28, 2009 - Line up
June 14, 2009 - The path to spiritual growth
May 31, 2009 - A tribute to one of my heroes
May 17, 2009 - Silent soldier
April 19, 2009 - Operation Resensitization
April 5, 2009 - The temptations of ministers
March 8, 2009 - Conversation over shoes
February 22, 2009 - By their plurals you shall know them
January 25, 2009 - Turn the page
December 28, 2008 - Abba, Father
December 14, 2008 - Elementary truths
November 30, 2008 - The illusion
October 19, 2008 - Acting like a toddler
October 5, 2008 - Don’t miss this
September 21, 2008 - Foolish schemes
September 7, 2008 - God’s hand is everywhere
August 24, 2008 - The dance
August 10, 2008 - Strange land
July 27, 2008 - God’s amazing grace
July 13, 2008 - A best seller
June 29, 2008 - My grandfather’s clock and worship
June 1, 2008 - Reclaiming the name
May 4, 2008 - God is not our fairy godmother
April 6, 2008 - Success: what is it and who can measure up?
March 9, 2008 - Need to know
February 10, 2008 - The top three myths of singleness
January 13, 2008 - By invitation only
December 5, 2007 - Yes, Abbie, there is a Jesus
November 18, 2007 - 10 Ways to be a good Christmas customer
October 21, 2007 - The dividing line
September 23, 2007 - What do you fear?
September 9, 2007 - A life well lived
August 26, 2007 - To murmur, or not to murmur
July 29, 2007 - The cross and the Christian
July 15, 2007 - Turning the other cheek: still a valuable biblical principle
July 1, 2007 - Why the tie?
June 3, 2007 - The death of a son
May 6, 2007 - A prayer for the dying
April 8, 2007 - The omnipresent God
March 11, 2007 - Do the Amish have superheroes?
February 11, 2007 - What’s your black history?
January 14, 2007 - The split branch
December 31, 2006 - The house of regret
December 10, 2006 - The redemption of the innkeeper
November 26, 2006 - Too many choices
November 12, 2006 - Break the bashing habit: Learning to love the unsaved like Christ does: November 12, 2006
October 15, 2006 - Be ‘salt and light’ this Christmas!: October 15, 2006
September 17, 2006 - Who is a legalist?: September 17, 2006 Issue 38
July 23, 2006 - God speaks through our brokenness: July 23, 2006 Issue 38
June 25, 2006 - 'What I am looking for in my church leaders'