The Ultimate Promised Land

Sep 22, 2021

“My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”

- Billy Graham

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

- Jesus, John 14:1-3

Way back in Genesis, God told Abram (Abraham) to leave his country and go to a land that God had promised him. The Jewish people ultimately arrived in Israel, and while it was the promised land, it did not mean their problems had ended. Wars had to be fought, disobedience punished, and strife has been upon them from the day they arrived until even now. It was the promised land, but it was only meant to be a temporary home. There is still the ultimate Promised Land to come.

Jesus tells us in a couple of chapters following the passage I quoted earlier:

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

- John 16:33

We live in a world that is constantly pulling us away from Jesus and what really matters.

We, like the children of Israel, live under constant strife: wars, poverty, hunger, hatred, sickness, death, etc. But fortunately for us, Jesus says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus promises, even in the midst of the strife, that He came to give us fullness of life (John 10:10). That does not mean the strife will disappear, but that, through the Resurrection power of Jesus in us, we can be overcomers. Yet, the true victory will not take place on this earth, but when that day comes when we see Jesus face to face. On that day, as God revealed to John in Revelation 21:3-4,

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

In Heaven, strife will no longer exist. Thomas Moore wrote, “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.”

I want to live my life here on earth to the best of my ability, and I claim Jesus’ promise that He came to give me fullness of life, right here and right now; but I must admit, I look forward to that day, when, like the children’s song says,