There are many prayers with which you could begin this new year. We are one week into the new year and we recognize the pressures of 2020 have slipped into 2021 as well. Politics. COVID-19. The economy.
As I have sat this week with a dear friend who is transitioning from this world to the next, several times I have considered John’s prayer after he heard Jesus’ promise. John’s prayer reflects hope and desire which every one of us who love Jesus could express as well.
Jesus’ Promise and John’s Prayer
No doubt you have heard about the Book of Revelation. The Apostle John wrote this book to help us understand and look forward to the end times. John writes about things which he certainly does not understand as he seeks to communicate the revelation God granted him through inspiration. As the Book of Revelation closes, Jesus makes a bold promise:
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” (Rev 1:20)
After giving the details of the end times through the inspiration of the Spirit of God, John quotes Jesus. Jesus provides hope and in many ways encourages us with this promise. After all the details are given, Jesus promises, “I come quickly.”
John’s response to this promise of Jesus is a great prayer as we consider the year before us. John responds:
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Rev 1:20)
That’s the prayer. When all is said and done. When we read through the text and strive to understand the end times. As we reflect on the overall plan of God which ends with heaven and eternity. After hearing the promise of Jesus that He will come quickly, John prays.
- Amen. This is the Greek equivalent of a Hebrew term which simply means, “So be it.” It is a confirmation by one to another. In this text, Jesus promises that He comes quickly. John replies, “Yes, so be it!”
- Even so, come, Lord Jesus! John replies with his prayer, “Yes, please come Lord Jesus!”
What a great prayer. This prayer reflects the heart of a follower of Jesus Christ who understands the joy of worshiping Christ with all followers of Christ in heaven for eternity – freedom from sin, the world, and suffering.
This prayer reflects the heart of a follower of Jesus Christ who understands the joy of worshiping Christ with all followers of Christ in heaven for eternity – freedom from sin, the world, and suffering. Click To TweetLonging for Heaven
The Apostle Paul also discusses a life longing for the return of Christ. He writes:
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor 5:1-8)
Here the Apostle Paul describes how our old earthly bodies will be replaced with heavenly bodies in the future. From an old earthly house – a body which suffers under the curse of sin in a world full of evil – to a body built by God eternal in the heavens. He describes how those of us who have a relationship with God should groan for this. As followers of Christ, we long for this change. We desire to go to heaven. We long to leave this body and immediately go into the presence of the Lord. From here on earth in the moment of death to immediately move into the presence of the Lord. Another promise. Another prayer. All our hope focused on what God has prepared and is doing for us.
Do you have that desire?
What about you? Do you have that desire to go to heaven? Are you longing for your heavenly home?
Interesting enough…most Christians do not. If the follower of Christ understands what Paul is saying and understands the promise of Christ reported by John, what would make the child of God not want Jesus to come back soon or to go to heaven soon?
Let me suggest there are three reasons a Christian would not echo the words and hope of Apostles John and Paul.
- We get enamored with the world instead of keeping our focus on Christ (Col 3:1-4; Ps 73:1-28; 1 John 2:15-17). We like whatever in the world we can get our hands on. Similar to a child grabbing toys out of a toybox, we seek to have both hands full of what we can get and enjoy from the world around us (James 4:1-10). Functionally, there are no differences between the follower of Christ and the average unbeliever (cf., Eph 2:11-13). When we fail to draw near to God because we are focused on the world around us, we lose our desire as the Apostles John and Paul to go to heaven. We simply love the world and the things in the world more than we do the things of God.
- We either misunderstand or simply fail to know what the Bible says about heaven. In this sense, our ignorance keeps us from longing to go to heaven. Consider this simple illustration: if I were to tell our children that we are going to go to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios this May, my children would respond with joy, excitement, and seriously anticipate the pleasure. Why? Because both of those parks they have attended and incredibly enjoyed. However, some children have potentially never attended or heard of either park. If we tell these children about a future trip in May, they may not seem excited at all. Why? Because their ignorance of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios becomes their authority. In a similar way, many Christians fail to long for heaven because they do not know anything about heaven. As a result of ignorance, those individuals do not live in light of either Apostles’ longing.
- We lack a vibrant fellowship with our Savior Jesus Christ. For whatever reason (often sin to be honest – cf., 1 John 1:5-7), we often miss any kind of daily walk with Christ. We disregard our union with Christ. Often we neglect to consider the presence of Christ. We discount the grace available to us through and in Christ. Plus, we forget the incredible impact of Jesus’ selfless, substitutionary death on the cross for our sins. In total, our lack of a dynamic walk or fellowship with Christ, keeps us from longing to be with Him as both Apostles. You could say that the love of Christ does not control us (cf., 2 Cor 5:14-15).
Does “age” impact the desire to go to heaven?
Possibly you are like a dear lady I once heard which said, “I understand I am dying but I am so disappointed I do not get to see my grandchildren grow up.” Let me suggest four ideas to consider in this regard.
First, disappointment is not a sin. This lady does not commit a sin just because she has a disappointment. In fact, she may actually say, “I am satisfied with God’s plan. I always wanted to see my grandchildren grow up; however, I understand God’s plan looks different than what I had planned.” She may smile and continue, “But just think, I’m going to see my Savior. I imagine this disappointment will be swallowed up in total pleasure very soon.”
Second, for those who are young with many opportunities and potentially young families, you might long for heaven similar to the Apostle John. You may say, “I would love to go to heaven and take everyone of my family members with me. I can’t wait for heaven to open up and Jesus return. He promises to come back, and I sure hope it is today!” Just like John, you long for Jesus to make do on His promise.
Third, for those who are older and are naturally closer to death, you might long for heaven similar to the Apostle Paul. You may say, “I long every day to go to heaven. I can’t wait. There’s nothing in this old world that I desire. If Jesus lets me die tonight in my sleep and I wake up in heaven, that cannot be soon enough.” As my friend who is waiting to pass this week from this life to the next, you might pray this prayer every night.
Fourth, you may also be similar to the Apostle Paul in Philippians (which I believe a lot of people fit in this category) when he wrote:
23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. (Phil 1:23-26)
Essentially, you do desire to go to heaven similar to the Apostles; however, you understand how you can also serve those around you on the earth as well. Paul’s struggle focused around the two great commandments: loving God and loving neighbor. His hard-pressed desires were because He loved Jesus (first great commandment) and loved others (second great commandment). He did not struggle because he loved himself or loved the world.
Self-Reflection Questions
As you begin a new year, what is your desire level for heaven? Are you similar to the Apostle John and desire Jesus to come quickly? Are you similar to the Apostle Paul and desperately desire to go to heaven? Possibly, you are also like the Apostle Paul and struggle between the desires of loving God – going to heaven and enjoying the presence of Christ – and loving others – sacrificing by staying on earth to serve those to whom you may be of help. Is that where you find yourself?
Or…perhaps today you may need to make a harder decision at the beginning of this year to 1) not love the world, 2) learn more about heaven through careful study of God’s Word, or 3) strive to walk more faithful with Christ in fellowship. If this is your case, let me encourage you today to make that decision as well.
As the Apostle John prays, Even so come Lord Jesus! Click To TweetKevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
