In II Corinthians 5:1-8 we read, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: (3) If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (4) For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (5) Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. (6) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst 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, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

 

Dr. Harold Sightler said in writing “Homesick for Heaven” We are Heaven's citizens. We are headed toward Heaven's bliss. However, as we journey, we are hindered by the pull of this world. It is very easy to become satisfied in this life. If this life offered no hardness, no suffering, no tears, no bitterness, no disappointments, most of us would be content to remain here.

 

It is the nights of this earth – that make Heaven to be desired – where there is no night.

It is the tears of this life that make Heaven a delight – where God shall wipe away all tears.

It is the suffering of this life which make us long for Heaven – where there shall be no pain nor sickness.

It is the poverty of this life that makes the riches of Heaven more desired than ever.      

It is the disappointments of this life that make us long for the bliss of Paradise.            

It is the heaviness of this life that makes the rest of Heaven a holy anticipation.

It is the mourning of this journey that will make the hallelujahs of Heaven blessed.      

It is the loneliness of this life that makes us long for the fellowship of Jesus in Heaven. 

 

The longer we live and the more tears we shed, the more homesick we become for Heaven. One by one our loved ones are crossing over, until soon we have more loved ones on the other shore than here. As this separating continues, so the more we desire to depart this life and enjoy reunion with loved ones who have outstripped us to Heaven's shore.

 

In Revelation 21:1-7 we read, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2) And I, John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (6) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”