And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,

— Revelation 21:3

He has made everything beautiful in its own time; also He has put eternity in their heart, yet so that man does not find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

— Ecclesiastes 3:11

For our commonwealth exists in the heavens, from which also we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

— Philippians 3:20

2 In My Father’s house are many abodes; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive you to Myself, so that where I am you also may be.

— John 14:2-3

And He said to him [one crucified criminal beside Jesus] Truly I say to you, Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.

— Luke 23:43

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Over the centuries, art, music, literature, and film have tried to capture images of heaven. Perhaps this longing to envision heaven presents evidence that God planted eternity within the hearts of humankind. Every culture somehow demonstrates some concept of paradise, or a form of heaven beyond this life. Artistic presentation and human imagination construct common myths and misconceptions that shrink and distort the majestic reality of God’s eternal dwelling place with His people.

Heaven exists as God’s dwelling place where His people hold citizenship. Jesus confirmed heaven’s reality during His earthly ministry. He promised His disciples He will go and prepare a place for them and to return to take them to be with Him. On the cross, Jesus promised the criminal crucified next to Him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus spoke of the reality of His death and resurrection, and heaven — the reality of the eternal dwelling place of God and His people.