Heaven on Earth

Hebrews 12:18-24

Heaven is our eternal inheritance, purchased and obtained for us by the blood of Christ (“In whom we have obtained an inheritance!”); but he has given the earnest of that inheritance by the Spirit of grace in the new birth (Eph. 1:11, 13-14). But we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, except we do so through the path of much affliction. There is no way home for God’s pilgrims, but the way of the cross.

“Every heir of endless bliss, passing through this wilderness,

Finds his journey, to the end, vexed with trouble and with sin.

This is God’s all-wise decree. May He give us grace to see —

Thus He weans us from the earth’s vanity and empty mirth.

Pains and sorrows, sin and woes, Satan’s roars and countless foes,

Every day our way oppose. Still, God’s grace sufficient proves!

He is strong, faithful, and true. He will guide us safely through!

All that now our souls distress, will increase our endless bliss!”

Life in this world is not easy. It is not easy to live by faith while we still carry in our nature an evil heart of unbelief. It is not easy to persevere in the faith when the world, the flesh, and the devil oppose us. It is not easy to live for and seek the glory of God when so many earthly cares and inward corruptions vex and torment our souls.

Our Inheritance

Heaven is our eternal inheritance, purchased and obtained for us by the blood of Christ, “in whom we have obtained an inheritance;” and he has given the earnest of that inheritance by the Spirit of grace in the new birth (Eph. 1:11, 13-14). We who believe live in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began. We hope to go to heaven when we die. We hope to spend eternity with Christ in heaven. But sometimes that seems like a far distant hope, doesn’t it? It seems to be so far removed from the here and now.

Like Israel in the wilderness, we often fail to see the glory, beauty, and fullness of the promised land for two reasons: enemies without and unbelief within. Until enemies are subdued and the unbelief is removed, we cannot enter into our rest. Hebrews 11:18-24 is a passage that ought to subdue those enemies and remove that unbelief, allowing us to know and enjoy heaven on earth.

Jewish Legend

The Jews have a legend. They say that during the days of famine in Canaan, Joseph ordered his officers to throw cartloads of wheat and chaff into the Nile River, so that all the people who lived below the Nile might see that there was great abundance in the land of Egypt. I place no stock in Jewish legends, but I do know this: Christ, our great Joseph, throws the bountiful grace of heaven into the river of life, so that his people on earth might taste it and, tasting it, desire more and seek those things which are above.

“For”

The opening word of verse 18, “For,” is very significant. It connects what Paul is about to say with what he has just said. He says, “Lift up those hands, strengthen those feeble knees, go on, go on my brother, ‘for’ the prize is near, and it is sure! Read verses 18-24 in that light.

“For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

If we belong to God, if we are numbered among those who come to God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, here are nine heavenly blessings that belong to us now. We will never enter into the fullness of them until we have dropped this robe of flesh, but they are ours to enjoy right now as much as they shall be when we are seated before the throne of God and of the Lamb.

1. Complete freedom from the curse and terror of the law (vv. 18-21).

2. The enjoyment of free access to God (v. 22).

3. The privilege of heavenly citizenship (v. 22).

4. The companionship of the angels of God (v. 22).

5. The spiritual wealth of adoption into the family of God (v. 23).

6. The defense and protection of God’s holy throne (v. 23).

7. The company and fellowship of glorified saints (v. 23).

8. The personal care and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 24).

9. Full, irrevocable salvation through Christ’s precious blood (v. 24).

Don Fortner