Is it better to speak
of heaven or hell in trying to help people to take eternal things seriously? Conventional wisdom, I believe, would tell us
that fear is a poor motivator, a turn off even, and that the rewards of heaven
are enough to interest unbelievers in pursuing a relationship with their
creator.
However, a comment
during a conversation with Jennie and John, a couple I found at a table outside
a coffee shop, helped me realize that heaven doesn’t have the attraction for
unbelievers that it does for believers.
John identified himself as atheist, and said he was troubled with the
idea of eternity, saying that if heaven exists, it would become boring.
As a Christian, the
idea of living in a right relationship with our Creator for eternity is
absolutely thrilling. In fact, the Bible
doesn’t really portray heaven like Hollywood does, clouds and harps and
all. Yes, there are images of heaven in
the Bible, describing streets of gold as clear as crystal and walls made out of
precious stones, but the limits of language make them fall short, using
familiar terms to describe an unfamiliar place.
Paul doesn’t even try to describe it, simply saying we have no idea how
incredible it is: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into
the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him"
Possibly the most well
known passage about heaven places the emphasis on being with God, and the joys
of heaven are described indirectly by way of saying how it is so different from
this world: "He will dwell with
them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be
their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no
more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the
former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:3-4).
But I believe Jesus
captures it best, saying "Now this is eternal life: that they know you,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” According to Jesus, eternal life can begin
here, now, in this life as we enter into the joy of a right relationship with
God through faith in Jesus and begin to get a taste of heaven here on earth. That makes the idea of heaven attractive for
believers, and we might wonder why more people wouldn’t want that.
But knowing and being
in God’s presence doesn’t hold the same attraction for unbelievers. The thought of it might be terrifying,
uncomfortable, or, as John described at the coffeeshop, just boring. I tried to
help him understand that as awesome and magnificent as the creation is, being
in the presence of its Creator would be infinitely more so. Boredom wouldn’t be possible and besides, our
pleasure or entertainment isn’t really the issue since God is the focus of it
all and the one who deserves all glory, honor and praise. Heaven is a place to enjoy God, not to enjoy
ourselves.
We believers get a
taste of that as we worship here on earth and it helps us look forward to our
eternal future with God, but the thought of heaven holds no such attraction for
many of those outside of a right relationship with God in Christ. Maybe that’s why Jesus spoke more of hell and
the warnings of punishment. Hell is a
very difficult subject for most Christians to speak of, as well it should be by
its very nature, but Jesus didn’t avoid it, and neither should we. Maybe the horrors of hell might be easier to
understand and relate to for the unbeliever than the joys of heaven.
Thanks John and Jen,
for taking a little time from your date night to talk with me and allow me to
record our conversation! It can be seen
at https://youtu.be/OqRIMCWnRfw
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