Articles
Not a Place on Earth
In 1987, the album “Heaven on Earth” was released. One of the songs expressed that heaven on earth is love. The lyrics are catchy, and the melody intoxicating. It is easy to lose oneself in the love of someone and think that nothing could ever compare to this feeling. Careful, for this may be mere infatuation and fill a short-term passion.
Besides love, people seek other ways to try and find a heaven-like experience. People love to travel. Many will travel to the ends of the earth and search for that perfect destination. Others go in the hopes of finding that oneness with self or connection to a higher existence. All over the world, some places can generate a sense of awe. One of them is in Croatia—the Plitvice Lakes National Park. It provides scenery of indescribable beauty that might only be found in a mythical story. Another marvel, the Uyuni Salt Flats of Bolivia, makes it seem one was walking amongst the clouds. How amazing that must be to see! Finally, dive into the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Viewing the breathtaking aquatic life, yet again, mere words can fail to describe its beauty. Nevertheless, these sites will not last forever.
Additionally, religious sites are notoriously known for veneration. The Kaaba in Mecca for followers of Islam. Jews travel far and wide to pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. People espousing Christian beliefs flock to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. These are just a few places that people visit in hopes of finding spiritual oneness with God.
We will consider one other trap that lures people, and this happens when people think that paradise comes through acquiring stuff. The most luxurious house. The fanciest car. Societal status. Whether aware of it or not, many seek satisfaction in things. Material blessings are not bad in and of itself, but the problem lies when this becomes all-consuming. Just simply looking for a so-called slice of "heaven" outside of the actual Heaven. It will never happen.
At the beginning of creation, we are blessed with a brief insight into paradise on earth—the garden of Eden. This was not just any garden. No, this was a garden planted by God, Himself. Imagine a place where there is perfect weather, no crime, food to sustain indefinitely, and so much more. However, the garden was paradise only because WHO was there—God! God walked and talked with man and woman. At least for some length of time. We don’t know how long Adam and Eve were in the garden before sinning against God. Once that happened, then they were cast out of paradise on earth. The intimate relationship that they once had with God was severed through disobedience. Fortunately, that is not the end of the story!
Paradise was lost. At least on earth. People wonder where the garden may be, and many have searched for its location. Most likely, Eden was destroyed by the worldwide flood. So, a question to ask, “Is paradise truly lost?” NO! A physical place on earth—YES! Remember, it is not about a place, but WHO is there!
At the end of his life, a man begged another dying man, “Remember me!” The other dying man responded, “You WILL be with ME in Paradise!” Both were hanging on wooden crosses. One was guilty and the other innocent. The innocent willingly hung for the love of every person. He did this because He wants everyone to have the opportunity to join Him in Paradise. He wants everyone to be with Him in Heaven when this life is over.
Jesus is the only way to Heaven! Again, it is not about a place. Especially a physical place on earth. It is about having a relationship with the one true King! The King sacrificed His life to provide everyone an opportunity to be welcomed into Heaven. However, our entrance will be blocked if we fail to follow Him.
The song referred to in the beginning says, “They say in Heaven, love comes first, we’ll make Heaven a place on earth.” There is one thing that is accurate in that statement is that love comes first in Heaven. However, Heaven will never be found in a place on earth.
