The Heavenly Christian—The Lively Christian

Posted on Jul 11, 2017 Topic : Prophecy
Posted by : Ron Rhodes

“It is the heavenly Christian who is the lively Christian.” So said puritan Richard Baxter in his classic book, The Saint’s Everlasting Rest. His view was quite common among the puritans.

As I ponder Baxter’s words, it strikes me that a comparison of Genesis and Revelation—the “bookends” of the Bible—reveals precisely why we ought to be “heavenly Christians”:

—Genesis speaks of how God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). In Revelation, however, we are told that you and I will live in the new heavens and a new earth (Revelation 21:1-2).

—Genesis reveals that the first man and woman succumbed to sin (see Genesis 3). Revelation, by contrast, affirms that redeemed humans will be utterly and completely free from sin, and we’ll live in a perfectly holy environment (Revelation 21:1-2). I can hardly wait!

—Genesis reveals that humans sinned after succumbing to Satan’s temptations through the serpent (Genesis 3:1-4). But Revelation affirms that Satan will be eternally quarantined away from the people of God in heaven (Revelation 20:10). He will no longer be around to harass us.

—Genesis says that as a result of sin, God pronounced a curse on the earth (Genesis 3:17). Revelation tells us that in heaven there will be no more curse (Revelation 22:3). All is good in heaven.

—Genesis says that paradise was lost as a result of sin. The first man and woman—Adam and Eve—were ousted from the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23-24). Revelation, by contrast, affirms that paradise will be gloriously restored for redeemed humans (see Revelation 2:7; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:3). Never again will humans be ousted from paradise! You can count on it.

—Genesis tells us that the first man and woman were barred from the tree of life as a result of their sin (Genesis 3:22-24). Revelation reveals, by contrast, that redeemed human beings will be restored to the tree of life (Revelation 2:7; 22:2,14,19). They’ll be able to eat of its fruit whenever they want.

—Genesis affirms that tears, death, and mourning entered human existence following the first sin (Genesis 2:17; 29:11; 37:34). But Revelation promises that tears, death, and mourning will forever be absent from the redeemed in heaven (Revelation 21:4). Glorious!

—In Genesis, a Redeemer for fallen humanity is promised (Genesis 3:15). In Revelation, the victorious Redeemer is seen perpetually fellowshipping among His blessed people (Revelation 20:1-6; 21:22-27; 22:3-5).

No wonder the apostle Paul exhorts us: “Set your sights on the realities of heaven” (Colossians 3:1 NLT). The original Greek of this passage is intense: “Diligently, actively, single-mindedly set your sights on the realities of heaven.” It is also a present tense, carrying the idea: “Perpetually keep on setting your sights on the realities of heaven.”

My friend, if your Christian life is not as lively as you’d like it to be, setting your sights on the realities of heaven might be just the cure! Maybe those puritans were on to something!