Over the years serving on staff at a church I have heard church people make comments that cause me to think they’ll not like heaven very much, assuming they’re going.
In reference to another ethnicity or culture, I have heard people say things like, “I am uncomfortable around those type of people.” I have wondered, “Why do you even think you want to go to heaven?”
Heaven will be forever filled with people from every people group. There won’t be an Anglo (or any other ethnicity) section of heaven. If being around others from different cultures makes you uncomfortable, heaven won’t be very appealing. Notice the worship scene in the book of Revelation:
They sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. Revelation 5:9-10
I’ve also seen others approach worship gatherings with an apathetic attitude, as if worshiping God is boring. When someone considers whether he really wants heaven, he must realize that he’s not simply asking himself if he would prefer heaven to hell. Choosing one thing over another doesn’t necessarily mean you love the thing that you choose. If given the choice to eat Brussels sprouts or broccoli, I’ll choose broccoli. But that doesn’t mean I love broccoli. It just means I really don’t want to eat Brussels sprouts.
Heaven is not for people who just want to skip hell. Heaven is reserved for those who love Jesus, who have been rescued by Him and long to praise Him. If we don’t long to praise Him now, what makes us think we’re ready for heaven? The scene in Revelation continues:
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Revelation 5:11-12
In Revelation, the elders are representative of believers who’ve been rescued by God. The picture of heaven is that it’s packed with so many people that the number can’t even be counted. People who’ve been forgiven because of the slain Lamb of God, Jesus the Christ. People from every tribe, tongue, and nation declaring the praise of God. People satisfied in the very character of God, not just the benefits that He gives. But people who are satisfied in God Himself.
Thankfully Jesus is the One who qualifies us for heaven. And when He has qualified us for heaven through His sacrifice, He changes our hearts to love others and direct our affections towards Him.
