In the days following the election of Donald Trump, there have been several riots across the heartland. A number of “unhappy campers” are joined in both peaceful and violent protests which include desecration of property and theft. Quite obviously, they are not presently happy in the country and some are threatening to leave.
I’m okay with peaceful protests but I struggle to make sense of the parts where damage is done to persons and property. If I behaved that way when I was growing up, I would have been in for a spanking. And once in college, my daddy and mama would have told me to get myself back in the classroom or they would be bringing me home.
All of this got me to thinking about heaven…our eternal heartland. There will be no rioters there. No one will be unhappy there.
For one thing, the one who usually incites riot will not be there. While more study may be needed on the subject, it seems to me that the Bible suggests Satan was once there, but raised himself up in pride, wanted more than he had and led a rebellion against God taking a number of angels with him. He hates the elected One of God (1 Peter 2:4,6). and ever since Jesus was born, he has tried to crush Him and His cause (Rev. 12:1-6).
But Satan will not be in heaven when we go there. The Bible says…
“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev. 20:10).
Secondly, no one will destroy precious property in heaven or graffiti the walls. No one who would defile it any way is allowed there. No extra security is ever called in to protect the dwelling places. There’s no police force there anyway. Barricades are not built. The only barricade to the place is unwillingness to serve God… saying “We will not have this man to rule over us” (Luke 19:14; 2 Thess. 1:8). God doesn’t even shut the gates there. It is a place of peace and quiet and ultimate security. There are no problems, stress, anxiety, pain, sorrow, death or tears (Rev. 21:1-4).
Will anyone even desire to violently riot there? The evidence says “No.” There is no sin there. And as already seen, no tempter there. Sin can’t come without temptation.
And get this, heaven is made up of people who have always wanted to be there. They have already surrendered to the Savior when they obeyed the gospel (Gal. 2:20). They have sought and achieved total transformation (1 John 3:1-3). They have made great and long sacrifices for it. It is the place of ultimate satisfaction and there they shall always be (1 Thess. 4:17; Rev. 3:12). Nobody seeks to leave. Why would they?
I love my earthly country, the USA. I pray for it and seek its peace for my own peace (1 Tim. 2:1-2; Jeremiah 29:7). I pray for President Obama and president-elect Trump. A peaceful rule by the White House, makes for a peaceful teaching environment in my house – where real and lasting change can occur (Mt. 7:24-29). It allows for the spread of the Gospel which is the answer to all nation’s woes.
Jesus invites you now to Him, the place of rest (Mt. 11:28-30). Don’t you wanna go to that land?