When Jan and I lived in Amarillo, we would occasionally pass by Boys Ranch. It is on the property of what was once the old town of Tascosa. In front of this Christian institution for orphans or for boys disconnected from their family is a prominent sign that reads, “It’s where you’re going that counts!” This is indeed true. We are all sinners and therefore the backgrounds of the best of us are not just unattractive but leave us desperate before our Holy God. However, if we are in Christ Jesus, our future is more glorious than can be imagined. A question arises, should we spend time considering our glorious future in Christ? The scripture is outspoken in replying yes! We are to seek those things which are above (Matt. 6:33; Col. 3:1). Christ Himself says it this way, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21).

Here are some basic thoughts for Christians about studying God’s future plans. First, nothing shows the disposition of those who claim Christ as much as their interest or lack thereof in God’s promised future glory. Much of modern false theology is wrongly focused on placing Christian hope in that which is temporary. It desires to bring purported Christian’s to find their fulfillment in the present to the exclusion of God’s promised future. As we have already seen, this is contrary to the Bible. This world is not the goal of Christians. Our Lord stated, “In Me you will have peace. In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). Paul put it this way, “For the grace of God has appeared…instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” (Titus 2:11-13).

The essence of Christianity is to live by faith. Our faith is focused on the Word of God and the Lord’s promises to us. From God’s Word we recognize that our present world is a fallen environment with Satan, evil, and deception at every turn and in every conceivable manner. It is all temporary and will fail. By faith in what God has promised we look as Abraham did, “For he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). Paul emphasized in reference to the here and now that by comparison “momentary light afflictions” are nothing to what awaits us in glory (2 Cor. 4:17). Scripture refers to heaven more than 500 times, and Revelation 50 times. The last two chapters of Revelation are devoted to a glorious description of our future eternal home. The description is of a realm so glorious it is beyond our ability to fully comprehend. We are, however, given enough of a view, to know that it is not only beautiful and majestic, but also wonderful.

The chief point of God’s promised future is found in Revelation 21:3 “Behold the tabernacle of God is among men.” The reference to “tabernacle” takes us back to Israel’s tabernacle in the wilderness that represented God’s presence with them, and God’s glory. Heaven, or the current place of glory, is moved to a new and glorious creation of God. God has promised to make all things new, replacing the present earth held in the grip of Satan with a new abode where God Himself will be directly among those glorified. He will dwell in a particularly close relationship with His creation. Psalm 16:11 tells us that, “In Your presence is the fullness of joy.” Our present reality of living in our fallen world holds death, sickness, sin, and unsolvable problems continually before us with no real escape. But by contrast in glory, He promises, “And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain, the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). All these terrible matters inherent in our fallen life are not just controlled, nullified, or removed, as in the millennial kingdom (Rev. 20:4-6), but these things “have passed away.” Now brethren, this is what will ultimately become of us in Christ Jesus in our near future. “For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come” (Heb. 13:4). When we are overwhelmed by our surroundings and view troubles, we turn our hearts upward and say with the last words of scripture, “Come, Lord Jesus!”