Things I’ve Learned In Church | Entry # 4: Woodstock In Heaven
If you are anything like me then you might have spent a considerable amount of time wondering what heaven will be like. You also might have a bad addiction to the jumbo Reese cups, but that is beside the point.
Heaven……whats it like? What will we do there? Who will we see? Will I finally get to eat deep fried Twinkies without feeling guilty? Here is a quick look at what I’ve been taught in church about heaven.
It’s and endless concert
If you have a pastor in your church that likes the book of Revelation or you have a worship pastor who has ever opened the Bible, they will inevitably be quoting from Revelation 4:6-8 at some point in time. Or perhaps giving a whole sermon on the passage. This passage is part of the vision given to John, while on the island of Patmos. It is not very clear about what is happening in this vision of heaven, but it IS clear that something happening around the throne, which is the worship of God Almighty. Now, this is where things get crazy. Somehow this one verse is used to teach Christians that when we get to heaven we will sing the praises of the Lord for all of eternity. One big endless Woodstock of worship.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
uuuhh…..wait a tick. Where is the part of the passage that talks about worshiping the Lord for eternity in Heaven? You would be wise to point out that it is not in there. More importantly, this is simply a vision given to John. It is not clear in the book of Revelation if this is just imagery or an actual picture of what Heaven will be like when we get there. Most importantly, just because some creatures are worshiping God around the throne for an unknown amount of time it does not mean that we will be too. If that were true then wouldn’t hoards of people also be around the throne?
- I don’t recall reading about THIS in the Bible
Take a closer look
Lets do ourselves a favor and just think critically for a second. Jesus says that He has prepared a physical place for His followers in Heaven (John 14:3). And Paul adds leadership duties for those who are faithful (2 Tim 2:12). It would seem as though at least some people will be exempt from the eternal worship. It also stands to reason that if someone will be ruling and reigning with Christ that they will have constituents to be in charge of. Moreover, those constituents will also have things to do, or else they would not need leadership.
Here is another thing…..what about when Heaven and Earth are renewed (Revelation 21:1) and we are given new bodies to live on the earth with? Essentially it will be like Eden all over again. This presents an issue for the Woodstock concert in Heaven. At least an issue for it lasting into eternity.
Some other questions
- Does God really have the type of personality that wants all humanity to do nothing but worship Him for all eternity? That certainly wasn’t what he wanted from Adam and Eve.
- Do you honestly want to be in Heaven FOREVER doing nothing but singing songs?
- What about those of us who cannot sing?
- Would interpretive dance be an OK substitute?
- Miriam played the tambourine. Could I get that gig in Heaven?
- Who is playing the music for the heavenly worship?
- Will drums be included?
- Do you think God would do a solo on Amazing Grace?
- Would Jesus play lead or rhythm guitar?
- What will the bathroom situation look like?
What are your thoughts on heaven? Looking for cheese filled hot dogs and endless cookie dough ice cream? Leave your heavenly wishes and thoughts below.
I think that you cannot see Heaven because you are a false Christian. You mock at praising the Creator as if its some kind of chore. Woodstock is of the devil as if any Christian should need to know this. At woodstock the military made people take acid tabs and one person even fell into a river and died. I do not mean to hate you but in some ways I do. To feed people this blog daily is something that will not go unpunished in the Pit for all eternity. I say this in love and in also hate for what you are doing, I will not repent of that hate for it comes from a distaste for the lie of false Christianity.