"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."-1 Cor. 15:19. The language of the apostle Paul implies that our present enjoyment is based largely on our future prospects, which hope we have both sure and steadfast. This was true in the life of Christ: "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame." Amidst the trials, temptations, difficulties, disappointments and adversities of life, the bright prospect the Christian has in the future, is what encourages him to cleave unto God with a purpose of heart. Yea, it enables him to mount up on the wings of faith above the billows of life, and outside its raging storms. It puts new courage in him, so that he is enabled to run and not be weary, to walk and never faint.
On the subject of our future abode there are many different opinions. Notwithstanding the many plain scriptures which teach the utter consuming and passing away of this literal earth, there are many earthly-minded people who believe that this earth will be the place of their eternal abode. Among others, the Adventists generally believe that in the literal kingdom of Christ upon earth (?) they will plant vineyards, build houses, and live here forever. All such ridiculous notions are outside the Word of truth.
We shall now take a positive proposition and prove that heaven will be the place of our future abode. I have met with some who deny that there is such a place as heaven. They say that all the heaven there is, is the heaven element we possess in perfect holiness. True, we are now raised up in heavenly places, spiritually, but this only prepares us to go and dwell "with Christ, which is far better." We shall first give a few scriptures to prove that there is such a place. "And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."-2 Kings 2:11. Paul speaks of the "third heaven."-2 Cor. 12:2-4. "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."-Mark 16:19. "Jesus Christ, who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God."-1 Pet. 3:22. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands; but into heaven ITSELF, now to appear in the presence of God for us."-Heb. 9:24. When Stephen was dying, it is said that he "looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see heaven opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."." Then he cried, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."-Acts 7:55-60. These texts, with many others, so clearly prove that there is a place called heaven, that there is no appeal from the fact. We shall now prove that the same will be our future home.
"Knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance."-Heb. 10:34. Thank God for this plain text. Everything in this world has an end. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth away. The sturdy oak, in whose branches the fowls of the air lodge, soon decays and is no more. All natures teaches the "end of all things" pertaining to earth. Even the monuments, the pyramids, in time crumble to dust. This mortal body will soon return to mother earth. This earth will pass away. But when time has run its course, when the sun and moon no longer shine, when all things pertaining to earth, and the earth itself is no more, and is forgotten, "ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." Yes, dear pilgrim, "in heaven," the place of God's throne, and the home of the angels. "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God." -1 Pet. 1:4, 5. "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven."- Col. 1:5. "The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom."- 2 Tim. 4:18. "For we know . . . we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."-2 Cor. 5:1. "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust cloth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal." -Matt. 6:20. "A treasure in the heavens that faileth not." -Luke 12:33 "Thou shalt have treasure in heaven." -Matt. 19:21. "Great is your reward in heaven."-Luke 6:23. Surely the foregoing is sufficient to establish the fact that heaven will be our future home.
So then after this earth has passed away we look for new heaven and a new earth."-2 Pet. 3:13. The new earth is the "heavenly country," the "better country." -Heb. 11:16. The new heaven is the "heavenly city"; "for he hath prepared for them a city."-Heb. 11:16. "For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." -Heb. 13:14. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."-Rev. 22:14.
There is a land where everlasting suns shed everlasting brightness; Where the soul drinks from the living streams which roll by God's high throne. Myriads of glorious ones bring their accepted offerings. Oh, how blessed to look from this dark prison to that shrine, To inhale one breath of Paradise divine, And enter into the eternal home of rest, which awaits the sons of God.
Brighter than the glorious sunsets, which delight this earthly clime, an the splendor of the dawnings, breaking o'er the hills of time, the richness of the radiance of that land beyond the sun, Where the noble have their country, where the work of life is done."