Heaven, A Holy Place

By Dan Bailey

The Bible gives us a beautiful picture of the beauties and glories of the heavenly city of God. It will be the eternal home for the redeemed of the earth. Heaven is a holy place for God's holy people. There will be no defilement in heaven. "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worth abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation 21:27).

Since heaven is a holy place there are certain people who will not be there to ruin and to defile it. Think about it for a little bit. There will be no envy in heaven. Envy and love are opposites. No person who truly loves another will be envious of that person. There will be no backbiters. In this life there are those who speak ill of others behind their backs. Some are in the Lord's church while others are in the world. The faithful child of God does not engage in backbiting. There will be no worldliness in heaven. No wine, no beer, no intoxicants, no gambling, no drugs, no prostitutes, no greed, no thieves, and no liars. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).

Yes, my friend, heaven is a holy place for God's holy people. The hypocrite will not enter into the gates of glory. The lukewarm child of God will not be graced to inhabit the city of celestial bliss. Let us all take heed to ourselves and to the word of God. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (l Timothy 4:16). Someday this world is going to end, the judgment will be set and the books will be opened. May God help us to prepare ourselves by living a holy life before Him. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).

One of the beautiful songs that we sometimes sing gives us a glimpse of the heavenly city.

The Pearly White City

There's a holy and beautiful city, whose builder and ruler is God;

John saw it descending from heaven, when Patmos, in exile, he trod;

It's high massive wall is of jasper, the city itself is pure gold;

And when my frail tent here is folded, mine eyes shall its glory behold. 

In that bright city, pearly white city,

I have a mansion, a robe, and a crown;

Now I am watching, waiting and longing,

For the white city John saw coming down.

                                                Arthur F. Ingler