My dad, a golfer, used to joke, "If there aren't fast greens in heaven, then I'm not interested." Since Mom's death two and a half years ago, Dad now asks in his declining health, "Where in the Bible does it say what heaven will be like?" His heartfelt hope is that he will be reunited with Mom because for him that indeed would be heaven.
The Bible is silent about fast greens and marital reunions as we typically think of those, but it is not silent; as is often the case, the word of God speaks beyond our limited notions. John of Patmos in the Revelation (9:9-17) describes heaven in these soaring ways:
- "Salvation belongs to our God."
- Angels sing.
- "These who came out of the great ordeal ... worship God day and night."
- "They will hunger no more, and thirst no more."
- "The Lamb ... will be their shepherd; he will guide them."
- "God will wipe every tear from their eyes."
Perhaps not what I would envision, but for the Mom I loved and who suffered greatly it is divinely sufficient. We will remember our departed saints this Sunday, and thank the God who holds them.
See you in the thankful place this Sunday,
Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor