” . . . And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God. But as for those whose hearts go after their detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down on their heads,” declares the Lord God. (Ezekiel 11:19-21)
In the passage above, God is speaking to His Prophet Ezekiel. He gives us a look at what we have in store for us when we get to heaven!
God is actually speaking about His people in Israel and Judah. God, the Promise Keeper, proclaims that He will someday change their hearts of stone into ones of flesh. Further, He’ll give them the Holy Spirit! As a result, His people “may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them.” As for the people whose hearts are not with God, “I will bring their conduct down on their heads.”
Ezekiel by Michelangelo, on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican between 1508 to 1512, fresco, restored. Found at Wikipedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezekiel.
This sounds like a great description of heaven. Of course, heaven will be open to both Jew and Gentile, whoever believes in Jesus. Try as we might, we’ll never be good enough to get there on our own. And when we do get there, we’ll have perfect hearts for God, and keep His commandments. What a glorious time that will be!
A gentleman from my Sunday School class has just passed away, and was greeted by Jesus in heaven! Rudy Davis has reported to heaven. Prayers for his wife Barbara and their family. Comfort, hope, and strength to them. In Jesus’ precious name.
Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:17-21, NASB)
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi, offers a contrast between an earthly world view, and a heavenly world view. If you’re a Jesus-follower, then Paul says you’re also a citizen of Heaven! If you’re also an American, you have dual citizenship, but Paul says you owe your allegiance to your heavenly home.
Paul begins by asking the Philippians (and us!) to imitate his and other like-minded people’s behavior. He then contrasts his conduct with that of people who are “enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, . . . who set their minds on earthly things.” Paul then says “our citizenship is in heaven,” and then lists some of the benefits: Our “Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” is there; He will come for us, then transform our bodies into a glorified state just like His!
As citizens of heaven, followers of Jesus Christ are supposed to concentrate on the things of heaven, and not be concerned with earthly pursuits. I like the way Gordon Robertson put it the other day. On “The 700 Club,” he noted all the turmoil going on in the world today: Inflation, war in Ukraine, rising crime, etc. When the world seems to be spinning out of control, he said we should focus on our main task: “Populating heaven!” Message received!
As a heavenly citizen, I shouldn’t worry about the cares of this world, but focus on where I’m going next. Since my ALS diagnosis four years ago, I’ve had time to ponder such things. I’m bound eventually to make my home in the New Jerusalem. Even now, Jesus is preparing a “dwelling place” for me and other Christ followers. In the meantime, we need to talk to others about the advantages of residence there. We need to “populate heaven!” My hope lies not in government, or the agencies of man; my hope is in the name of the Lord!
Worship: “My Hope,” by Hillsong Worship
We’ve seen a lot of the Ukrainian flag on the news lately, since the Russian invasion. I was curious what it represents. Here’s a picture:
The blue at the top represents the sky. The yellow bottom is grain. Ukraine is known as the “breadbasket of Europe.” I heard on the news recently that Ukraine produces 15% of the world’s wheat. Interruption of this harvest, which appears very likely, will lead to a worldwide wheat shortage. My friend/Classmate/Squadronmate Stu Young sent me at the outset of the invasion an interesting article about how wealthy Ukraine is in natural resources and rich, arable farmland. No wonder Mad Vlad wants Ukraine.
Several weeks ago another friend and Classmate, Mike Hoyes, sent me a suggestion that we pray for Vladimir Putin’s salvation. This is a fantastic idea! The Bible says that God desires (although it’s not His decree) that all of us would be saved. My prayer since has been that God would convict him of how unjust his war is and of the atrocities his army is committing, and change his heart and make Jesus his Savior!
