appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

God the Son encourages His own by His own sterling example, having been commissioned by the Father, and having the power of the Godhead as well. Though the disciples had many troubles, they did not need to be troubled. He was there for them and will also leave One after His departure that is the same as He to minister to them.

It is an indescribable thrill knowing that in my difficulty there is a Person for me, and they Person is Jesus Christ. There have been occasions where just knowing that He is there for me made all the difference. I experienced His presence in such a marvelous way at my mother’s death. I felt so helpless, knowing that I would soon be preaching her funeral. In that moment of despair, I remembered that the Lord would never leave me nor forsake me. At that recognition, what joy and peace flooded my soul!

II. THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU v. 2

The place has been described as a city (v. 2). There are several Biblical references to heaven being a city. In Revelation 20:9, heaven is referred to as being the beloved city. The older I am and the closer I grow to the Lord, and the more loved ones that I have in heaven, the more beloved heaven becomes. As the song reminds us, “Heaven’s Sounding Sweeter All The Time.” For the true believer, this world pales in comparison as heaven grows brighter and brighter. Another song puts it like this, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through; I have a home somewhere beyond the blue.”

Another verse in Revelation 21:2 tells us that heaven is a holy city, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Our Holy God would have nothing less than a holy city for His holy saints. The Holy City will be unlike any city that this world knows about. In theory, we design our utopias thinking that we have a panacea for all the worlds’ ills. We soon discover that we are never able to advance beyond the theoretical.

Heaven is also described as a great city (Revelation 21:10). In its greatness, it is described as the city of pure gold, “like unto clear glass.” The street was also pure gold, “as it were transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21). In describing the cities greatness, it has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, “for the glory of God did lighten it” (Revelation 21:23).

The place has been described as a country (v. 2-3). Hebrews 11:16 said that the martyrs in the faith looked for “a better country, that is, an heavenly.” Certainly this describes heaven. It will be not only better, but also so much better than where we are now. As messages are preached on heaven, it should leave the hearers looking for that heavenly country. One of the practical aspects of having a funeral is to comfort the hurting, but to also equip the saints with a strong desire to go to heaven.

The word city may describe the way heaven is organized, while country may describe the vast size of heaven. Heaven will not be cramped; there will be plenty of “elbow room.” I remember nearly thirty years ago when my wife and I were making preparations to travel to London, England. As we anticipated our journey, we made great plans for our trip. We checked out books from the library to learn more about the place that we were going. We wanted to know what we needed to wear for such a journey. As I reflect back the preparation was almost as exciting as the journey.

Likewise, one needs to be prepared for his heavenly journey; he should wisely prepare for the actual journey. Why not learn all that you can about the wonderful place that you are going.

The place has been described for its comfort (v. 2). There will be absolutely no need for adjusting the thermostat of heaven. The thermostat is set. The environment is never compromised. You never need to worry about the eco system. The ecology will always be balanced. There will be no

decay, neither pain of any kind. The removed curse will never plague the heavenly country again.

The population of heaven will be perfectly content. Not one complaint will ever by voiced. This is very difficult to fathom. With our human mentality we can only grope as in dark at what is being described. It truly is beyond comprehension. Even in our limited way of describing what heaven is like, it still brings comfort as we both compare and contrast earth to heaven. The truth being known, there is no comparison to the two.

As the saints grown older, they become more afflicted by the pains of their dying bodies. They began to long for the place of comfort. Many in our nursing homes and hospitals know nothing of a day of comfort. We like living here on earth when we like living here. When we become more frustrated in our inability to be comforted, we become more focused on the hope of soon being in heaven. Thank God for the comfort of the place called heaven.

III. THERE IS A PROMISE FOR YOU vv. 3-4

The promise involves His caring (v. 3). His promise is stated in this manner, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” The word “if” is used here as we would use the word “since.” It is not if, like “maybe” it is the if of certainty. He is preparing a place for us; He will come again. We will learn that there is one way only to Jesus, but two means. You will as some jest, “you will either go by undertaker or uppertaker.” More accurately, it is all via uppertaker. Even if you die, under His authority and His power, you are taken into the immediate presence of God. To “be absent from the body and to present with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8).

The Lord was not promising these disciples that they would not die; He was promising that He would not forget them. He would get them. Practically, they all had to die to get to Him. Prophetically, He will return again to receive us. There is a great possibility that I will not die but be caught up to be with Him. That is His promise. Please believe it, He will come for you because He cares for you.

The promise involves His coming (v. 3). The prophecy in the Old Testament that pertained to His first coming was fulfilled just as it was predicted. The prophets declared it and it was so. One who is greater than the prophets now declares it. Jesus said I will come again. In Matthew 24:44, Jesus said, “Therefore be ye also ready in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh.” In this verse notice the command; “Therefore be ye also ready.” Every believer should be ready for the return of the Lord. Secondly, notice the consideration, “for in such an hour as ye think not.” The key word in this part of the verse is the word think. Some are confused in their thinking concerning the return of the Lord. Others are careless in their thinking, meaning they could “care less” if Jesus is to return. Then, there are those who are corrupted in their thinking, concerning the return of the Lord. Praise God, there still are many countless souls who are correct in their thinking about His return.

Thirdly, notice the coming in this verse in Matthew. Jesus said, “the Son of man cometh.” There is strong Biblical evidence that shows that His coming will be a surprise to some. It will be sudden and it may be soon. Even so come quickly.

The promise involves His character (vv. 3-4). A promise is only as valuable as the one who makes the promise. The Lord Jesus Christ has never lied; He can not lie. His promise is true. Christians should live with the blessed assurance that the Lord is coming again. This knowledge should have a purifying affect upon us (II Peter 3). We should be looking for His return, and should be prepared as well.

We should be watching for His return, and we should be working. We should not only watch and not work; nor should we work and not watch.

The reason that Christians may be comforted is that the character of God insures it. He is perfect and unchanging in His character; again, even so come quickly!