Our Hope of Heaven
One of our favorite worship songs at PWC is I Can Only Imagine, by Bart Millard of MercyMe, who penned the song after the death of his father. The lyrics resonate profoundly with all of us who have lost a loved one. Why? Because it sings of HOPE…our hope of heaven. It paints a striking glimpse of life after death…of meeting Jesus face to face…of eternal life in our heavenly home…our HOPE.
There are basically two kinds of hope: worldly hope and biblical hope. We might say, “I hope I get that job” or “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.” This kind of “worldly” hope implies a sense of uncertainty or doubt – it’s wishful thinking. Biblical hope in contrast implies a sense of confident expectation. It isn’t based on circumstances, but rather, on a person – the risen Jesus Christ – who conquered death and lives forever (Revelation 1:18)!
Our assurance – our confident expectation – is in the promise He gave you and me: “I tell you for certain that everyone who has faith in me has eternal life” (John 6:47). The believer’s hope is not wishful thinking. It is already done, and therefore “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).
I Can Only Imagine was a favorite song of my husband Phil, throughout his heart transplant journey…during the difficult days when all hope seemed lost…and especially toward the end of his life.
I can only imagine when that day comes
When I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I would do
Is forever worship you
I can only imagine
My Phil was not afraid to die. He just did not want to leave us, his family. It’s why he fought so hard to live another day for so many days. He knew that one day he was going to see Jesus…and his family members who had gone before him. But not until he was good and ready. I remember one conversation Phil asked me how I thought it would happen. I didn’t know of course, but I told him God knows (Psalm 139:16). And when the time is right, the Lord will come and meet him and graciously welcome him home (2 Corinthians 5:6-9).
None of us knows what that day will be like, but our hope of heaven gives us peace in the waiting. All we can do is imagine what it might be like, and trust God it will be better than we could possibly imagine. Yes, God gives us glimpses of heaven…but in His wisdom, He also keeps the full mystery from us while we are here in our earthly home, revealing only bits and pieces. (1 Corinthians 13:12).
For the believer, dying need not be fearful. But I say that not having approached the line between heaven and earth on my way through the veil. My Phil has passed through the veil. I remember the moment as he drew away from me toward that line. I watched him transition over…I heard his breath fade…I felt his heartbeat cease. I knew in that instant my Phil was with Jesus. And the room became suddenly quiet. Everything was still…light…like the burden of this life was lifted.
And just like Jesus before him, my Phil went to heaven. From death to new life…in the same instant. Poof! Heaven came down to that line and met my beloved…and in that moment, welcomed him home.
That was Phil’s hope before…and it is my hope today. It’s the hope of all of us who believe in Jesus (John 3:16)! It is hope that assures us of our eternal home. It is hope that transforms us in this life and the next. Hope is the confident expectation that God’s promises are already in the process of being fulfilled (Joshua 23:14).
And now, “I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Amen!
For a deeper dive into “Biblical Hope,” I invite you to watch this brief video: