Such subterfuge reminds me of an old story told about three apprentice devils who were taking their final exam in front of Satan.
“Before I let you loose in the world,” Old Nick said, “I need to know what deceitful message you are going to whisper in the ears of people so that they end up here in hell.”
“That’s easy,” said the first devil. “I’ll tell them there is no heaven.”
“That won’t work,” said Satan. “Whenever people look at the beauty of the earth and feel the wonders of creation, they know that heaven exists. FAIL!”
“I’ll tell them that there’s no hell,” said the second devil.
"That won’t work either,” said Satan. “The world is full of so much pain and suffering, injustice and cruelty that people know hell exists as a place of punishment for the unrepentant and wicked. FAIL!”
The third devil thought for a moment and then said, “I’ll tell them that there’s no hurry.”
“EXCELLENT!” Satan declared. “People will be fooled into believing that there’s plenty of time to change. Hell will overflow with lost souls! PASS!”
This subject is not academic for us, as we like to think of loved ones who are there. So do you, I suspect.
My sons welcome heaven as some “God space.” Eternal life conceived traditionally as “up there,” in the“wild blue yonder,” with “pearly gates” is foreign to my sons and perhaps to you—but, more importantly, may also be foreign to the Bible. Touché!
Though tempted to believe one or the other view of heaven, I am inclined to embrace this possibility: What if both views are equally true, albeit with different emphases at different times or seasons in our life? That would fit the biblical view that the kingdom of God is already/but not yet.
Motivated by a view of heaven (God’s space) and earth (our space) merging together carries some distinctly worldly implications for how we live out the rest of our days here and now. To think in such a way would make our stewardship of the environment as important as saving souls.
“the end.” (But is it, really?) Hence, the alleviation of pain, injustice and
suffering is not just something promised to people as they leave this earth for
a “better place”or their “eternal reward.” Rather, such holistic ministry is the
ongoing work of Jesus and the work at hand for any who would follow in his
steps, as we seek his kingdom first.
My mom did so by embracing both social justice and hospice ministry. To make her days count and to humor me, she cautioned me “not be too heavenly minded to be any earthly good.” She may be smiling down at me as I say this (even as I write these words, I can’t escape my usual categories for heaven). Loving one another as God loved us, and as my mom loved me, is the means of expanding the reign of God—or heaven—on earth.
When I recall other sources of inspiration—besides TIME, the Bible and my mom—I think of inspirational movies and TV shows. Therein I see this same heavenly worldview, or rather, the worldly view of heaven.
makes his rounds here on earth.
I made one such round last week. It was my honor and privilege to do something that was asked of me that I was trained for. The family of a dying man wanted me to call on him, as they did not think he would live long enough to attend Sunday worship service. On Tuesday, my calendar opened up late afternoon, so I went over to St. Mary’s.
This proved to be a divine appointment, where I had the privilege of leading him across the finish line. It’s a good thing he did not listen to the one saying, “There is no hurry!” And it’s a good that the family did not listen even to me inviting everyone to Chapel on Sunday, when I would be countering the claim, “There is no heaven!”
While talk of heaven in a nursing home is always important and appropriate, for John it was also urgent. He died the next day after saying Yes to Jesus the day before. Amen.