Tell me there’s a heaven
It seems that every time we turn on our TV screens we see abject suffering of one form or another. Singer/musician/songwriter Chris Rea’s song Tell Me There’s a Heaven tells of a little girl who asks her family, ‘Why?’ ‘Why do we see all these things?’ Babies dying, mothers crying, people hurting each other. Grandpa comforts her by telling her that all those people will eventually be with God where they will be happy and at peace and will not be hurting any more.
The songwriter then gives a heartfelt plea to Grandpa: ‘Tell me there’s a heaven. Tell me that it’s true. Tell me there’s a reason why I’m seeing what I do. Don’t just tell the little girl, tell me!’
The Bible also tells of such a place. A place where there will be no more pain, suffering or death. A place where grief will turn to joy. and where God himself ‘will wipe every tear from [our] eyes.’ This is the place referred to in the header scripture, where Heaven and Earth will meet and “…God’s dwelling place [will be] among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (Revelation 21:3 NIV).
In addition John 14:2-3 records Jesus’s words, telling us: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Surely we will see our loved ones again in this place that is so wonderful that we, as mere humans, cannot comprehend what it will be like.
(1 Corinthians 2:9-10). This is our future that ‘…God has freely given us’ (v.12), because of our saviour Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
We are living in dark times, but afterwards comes the light. There truly is a heaven!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray for your mercy and grace in our fallen world. Help us to stand faithful, in your name, whilst we await the return of Jesus to establish your Kingdom in all its fulness. Amen.
Study by June Burrows
About the writer:
June Burrows attends the Southampton congregation of Grace Communion International
Local congregation:
Hythe & Dibden Parish Hall
West St
Hythe
Southampton
SO45 6AA
Local congregation contact:
Peter Noon
Email: southampton@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church