Heaven is Over Rated

I think that Heaven is over rated. Some of us think that Heaven is our salvation. For those who think that our salvation is found in Heaven, I don’t think that we will ever feel secure until we’re inside the walls of heaven, with the gates of Heaven shut and locked behind us. It really is a terrible way to go through life.

Our salvation, or our eternal security is not found in a place, a thing, or an activity on our part. Our eternal security is found in a person. This is the message of Scripture from Genesis, the first book of the Bible, to Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Sometimes that message is not very clear, it’s almost as if it’s in the shadows.

In Genesis15:1, for example, God speaks to Abraham and tells him, “I am your shield, your very great reward.” If God were giving Abraham a test, He’d be asking Abraham, “Who is your protection? Who is your safety and security? Who is your fortress and refuge? Who is your shield?” And if Abraham didn’t get it, God would have answered, “I AM.”

Should there have been a part two to the test; God would ask, “Who’s your blessing? Who’s your benefit and bonus? Who’s your prize and trophy? Who’s your reward—your very great reward?” Again God would have answered, “I AM”.

In the New Testament, who is our defense, our intercessor, our advocate, and our blessing? Is it not the same One who says, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). Is it not the same One who also says, “I AM the way. I AM the truth. I AM the life. No man comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

The Apostle Paul later on tells the Ephesians that in Him, that is in Jesus, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). We can have this confidence, assurance, and eternal security in Him because we have a promise that is sealed by His blood (Ephesians 1:7). This is something, or rather, Someone that we can find rest in—in this life and the life to come.