I was thinking about how relationships will work in the Kingdom of Heaven. I know that none of us will be married, but we will somehow maintain our gender identity, except without the plumbing. We will know as we are known, but with an awareness of who people are that we never met in this life, which, by the way, we will have no recollection of. The relationship that we will have with the Lord will be as unique as it is intimate, and yet their will be millions and millions of us there.
When Paul said, “But as it is written: (quoting Isaiah 64:4) “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.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
- The great apostle was on to something here, something that we just can’t seem to fully fathom on this side of the veil. What Isaiah was quoting was his impression of God Almighty who ‘did awesome things, and when He came, the mountains shook at His presence.’ Isaiah goes on to say in this passage that God ‘acts for those who wait for Him.’
All of this speaks to a very good thing if we are walking in a right relationship with the Lord. All of that which God has prepared for us, His people, is way beyond what we can even comprehend at this time and in this life. Here Paul was stating that what lies ahead for the believer in Jesus far surpasses anything that we can gain in this life. Many of his other passages also state the same, but for the purposes of this blog, I should like to focus not so much on the stuff that waits for us in heaven, but the people, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
When I think of relationships and people that I know in this life, my life, my sphere of social interaction and such, I find myself being careful in how I present myself, how I address certain ones, and how I allow them to interact with me. This is a form of restriction, an inhibition if you will. However, in the kingdom of heaven, this will not be necessary because we will be perfect, like Jesus. We will look as good as we feel, and our energy will surpass that which we experienced on our best days of youth in this life. There will be no bickering, no complaining, no sinning, and nothing that is bad. It’s all going to be good, as good as it gets; and in our case, literally and eternally.
There are people in my life right now that I would love to have a closer relationship with, but I can’t because it’s not appropriate. Life status, gender differences, age gaps, and such all contribute to limited and restricted relationships; as they should. Lines of property need to be drawn in this life because it matters now; however, in heaven, when perfection is the norm and all sin is absolved, this line will be drawn differently and in a way that will allow us to engage and interact with other people that we have never known in this life, or perhaps, we have known, but were restricted in getting to know them better because of those lines of propriety.
I am all for propriety and being nice and right in God’s sight, I just never had the opportunity to do it in a sinless and perfect body. Me thinks that it will be as new as it is refreshing. The interaction I am looking forward to with my brothers and sisters in Christ will take an eternity to even begin to get to know them; I guess that’s why God gives us an eternity to do it.
So to this I say to all of you brothers (and sisters) out there who are lonely and pondering your life choices, good or bad; your lack, and your need to connect with someone on a level that is currently not being experienced; hang in there baby, we’re almost home. The vacuum that this life leaves will be experienced by all of those who are left behind after the Rapture. They are really going to miss us and the blessing and restraining that we provided while we were here; something they didn’t realize so much as they will the moment we’re gone.
When I think about the many people in the body of Christ who love the Lord and long for His appearing, His catching them away and such, but who also struggle with their version of loneliness and isolation, and emotional lack and how they will never have to deal with for all of eternity, I am very encouraged. Let’s stop for a moment and put on hold the fact that we will actually be with Jesus, the Creator and Author of all life. We will be rewarded for our faithfulness to Him in this life, and we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone on before us. All of this is beyond good. Part of the heaven ride is that we will be empowered to interact on a social level that is unprecedented; it’s our ability ‘to know as we are known.’ This newfound ability to enjoy heavenly conversations and interactions with millions of other saints will be very much needed if we are to survive the com-traffic and unlimited interaction of all of heaven throughout eternity. It’s like being on a heavenly cruise ship with no restrictions needed because we will be perfect in God’s sight.
When Paul said, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12
- He wasn’t kidding around. While we can’t fully grasp what awaits us as believers in Jesus on the other side of the veil; we can however get an idea that it will be much better than what we are experiencing in the here and now with our sin-laden environment and flawed human suits.
The phrase, ‘I shall know just as I also am known’ speaks myriads to the transformation of our minds and hearts and the renewed way that we will both receive and give information, instantly. Being perfect is one thing, but being able to interact with divine perfection is quite another. The love of heaven will be like nothing we have ever experienced and God’s very presence will be our forever companion; we will continually be with Jesus!
This lends itself to limitless relationships that are formed on the fields of perfection and beauty that only Jesus could provide in His eternal kingdom. With that being said, I look forward to cultivating many a relationship with my brothers and sisters in the Lord, who along with me, will forever be perfected in the Lord. Until that glorious day, which is soon to be upon us, do your best to be your best and embrace the inhibitions and lines of property in all of your relationships in the here and now, beginning with those who are closest to you and moving out from there.
I am sure that as we emulate a proper social exchange with our fellow man, be it in person or on social media, that God will honor our efforts in representing Him in those interactions, particularly as they enhance our witness of Him. One day soon we will be united with all who love the Lord and we will be able to fellowship with them in godly perfection and peace throughout eternity.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 33-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 
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