Into Eternity - Arnold Famini

Memory Text:

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2, NKJV).

Imagine a husband and wife finally building their dream house.

The design is beautiful. The structure is strong. The rooms are spacious. The lighting is perfect. The furniture is arranged just right. Everything they planned for, prayed for, and saved for is finally there.

But then, for some painful reason, one of them dies.

Now the house is still there. The beauty is still there. The rooms are still there. The furniture is still there.

But something is missing. Or better, someone is missing. And because someone is missing, the house no longer feels like home.

That is important when we think about heaven. Sometimes when we talk about heaven, we think first of the streets of gold, the tree of life, the river of life, the mansions, the absence of pain, and the reunion with loved ones.

But what makes heaven heaven is not merely the things in heaven. What makes heaven heaven is Jesus.

This lesson is entitled, Into Eternity.

But here is the thought I want us to carry: eternity does not begin only when Jesus comes. In one sense, eternity begins now. Eternal life begins when we begin to know God.

John 17:3 NKJV
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

So how do we live as people who are going into eternity?

We live with our hearts right with God today.

We live with our eyes fixed on Jesus.

And we invite others to come.

Eternity Begins Here

When we think of eternity, we usually think of the future. And rightly so.

One day Jesus will come. One day the dead in Christ will rise. One day pain will end. One day every tear will be wiped away. One day we will see Jesus face-to-face.

But preparation for eternity begins here. Think of Enoch.

The Bible says:

Genesis 5:24 NKJV
“And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

That is such a short verse, but it says so much.

Enoch did not suddenly become ready for heaven at the end of his life. He walked with God before he was taken by God. His translation was simply the continuation of his communion.

In other words, Enoch was already living the life of heaven while he was still on earth.

Of course, not in the full sense. He was still in a fallen world. He still had responsibilities, burdens, and temptations. But his heart was already walking with God.

That is what heaven is: life with God.

So if heaven is life with God, then preparation for heaven is not merely knowing future events. It is walking with God today.

This is why the Bible speaks with urgency:

James 4:14 NKJV
“Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

Life is a vapor. It appears. Then it vanishes.

We do not know when the Lord will come. We do not know whether time will linger. We do not even know if we will still be alive tomorrow.

The most important question is not, “How much time do I still have?”

The most important question is, “Is my heart right with God today?”

Ellen White wrote:

“If you are right with God today, you are ready if Christ should come today.”¹

That is not presumption. That is present surrender. That is not saying, “I am perfect, therefore I am ready.” No.

It is saying, “I am Christ’s today. I am surrendered today. I am trusting His righteousness today. I am walking with Him today.”

The Christian does not prepare for eternity by postponing surrender.

We prepare by coming to Jesus now.

Not tomorrow.

Not someday.

Now.

Heaven Is Where Jesus Is

The Bible gives us beautiful pictures of heaven.

No more death. No more sorrow. No more crying. No more pain. The New Jerusalem. The river of life. The tree of life. The throne of God and of the Lamb.

All of these are beautiful. But if we are not careful, we may become more excited about the gifts of heaven than the Giver of heaven.

But the greatest joy of heaven is this:

Revelation 22:4 NKJV
“They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.”

They shall see His face.

Think about that.

Moses once asked God:

Exodus 33:18 NKJV
“Please, show me Your glory.”

But God answered:

Exodus 33:20 NKJV
“You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”

Because of sin, humanity could not behold the unveiled glory of God and live.

But Revelation ends with this promise:

They shall see His face.

That is the good news of the Bible.

The story that began with Adam and Eve hiding from the face of God ends with the redeemed standing before the face of God.

The gospel is God restoring what sin has broken.

Sin separated. Grace restores. Sin made us hide. Grace brings us home. Sin made us afraid of God’s presence.

Grace makes God’s presence our greatest joy.

And one day, we will see Him. Really see Him. That is heaven. Not merely gold. Not merely mansions. Not merely a better environment. Jesus.

Heaven Will Be Worship

For some people, the idea of worship forever sounds boring.

Maybe because worship, for them, has often felt like duty without delight.

A song without the heart.

A sermon without hunger.

A service without love.

But that is not true worship.

True worship is not forced praise. True worship is the natural overflow of a heart that has seen the beauty of Jesus.

When the heart is full, worship overflows.

In heaven, worship will not be boring because our hearts will not be cold.

Our hearts will be full. Full of gratitude. Full of wonder. Full of joy. Full of love.

Revelation gives us this picture:

Revelation 5:12 NKJV
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

Notice what heaven sings about.

The Lamb who was slain.

Even in eternity, the redeemed do not forget Calvary. Heaven is not a place where the cross becomes old news. Heaven is the place where we finally understand the cross more deeply.

Ellen White wrote:

“The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity.”²

That is beautiful.

Science and song.

Study and worship.

Mind and heart.

For the ceaseless ages of eternity, we will keep learning what Jesus has done for us. We will discover mercies we did not notice. We will understand providences we once questioned. We will see answers to prayers we thought were unanswered. We will learn how often angels were sent to guard us. We will realize how many times Jesus saved us from dangers we never saw.

And as we learn more, we will worship more.

The more we understand His love, the more our hearts will sing.

And yes, there will still be Sabbath.

Isaiah 66:22–23 NKJV
“‘For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the LORD.”

But in another sense, every day will be worship.

Because every day will be lived in the presence of God.

Every day will be filled with the love of Jesus.

Every day will be another opportunity to say:

Worthy is the Lamb.

Fitted for Heaven Here

Heaven is a gift.

We are saved by grace.

We are accepted only through the righteousness of Christ.

Let that be clear.

But grace does not merely forgive us for heaven. Grace also fits us for heaven.

Revelation says:

Revelation 22:4 NKJV
“They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.”

In the Bible, a name often represents character.

So when Revelation says that God’s name will be on the foreheads of His people, it means that their minds, loyalties, thoughts, and characters belong to Him.

They are His.

This is why preparation for heaven cannot be separated from life today.

Some people want heaven without walking with God now.

But how can we enjoy the presence of God there if we do not desire the presence of God here?

How can we be happy in a place of worship if worship is a burden to us now?

How can we be fitted for the society of angels if we are constantly cultivating selfishness, bitterness, pride, and worldliness?

Ellen White wrote:

“We cannot keep Christ apart from our lives here, and yet be fitted for His companionship in heaven.”³

That hits hard. But it is true.

Heaven is not merely a destination. Heaven is companionship with Christ.

So the question is not only, “Do I want to go to heaven?”

The deeper question is, “Do I want Jesus?”

Because if I do not want Jesus now, why would I enjoy heaven then?

This is why daily communion with God matters. Our relationship with Him matters.

Not because these things earn heaven, but because through them, God is forming within us a heart that can enjoy heaven.

Enoch walked with God here.

Then he walked with God there.

That is the pattern.

Come

The last invitation of the Bible is simple:

Revelation 22:17 NKJV
“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Come.

That is the invitation. Not “fix yourself first.” Not “be worthy first.” Not “understand everything first.”

You are thirst, needy, guilt, tired, and broken – the invitation is come.

Jesus says:

John 6:37 NKJV
“The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”

What a promise!

The one who comes to Jesus will not be cast out.

But Revelation does not stop with the invitation we receive. It also tells us what to do once we hear it.

Revelation 22:17 NKJV
“And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’”

If you have heard the invitation, repeat the invitation.

That is witnessing.

Come.

Come and see.

Come and drink.

Come and meet Jesus.

Ellen White wrote:

“Everyone who hears is to repeat the invitation. Whatever one’s calling in life, his first interest should be to win souls for Christ.”⁴

So how do we live as we prepare for eternity?

We keep our hearts right with God today.

We walk with Jesus today.

We worship Him today.

And we invite others today.

Because we do not want to go to heaven alone.

We want to fill heaven with as many people as possible.

Conclusion

Heaven is not merely a place of beautiful things. Heaven is where Jesus is.

And because Jesus is there, we want to be there. But eternity begins now.

When we walk with God now, heaven has already begun in the heart. When we surrender to Jesus now, eternal life has already started. When our hearts are right with God today, we are ready if Christ should come today.

So let us not postpone surrender.

Let us not delay communion.

Let us not treat Jesus as someone to meet only in the future.

Walk with Him now. Worship Him now. Share Him now.

Because one day soon, faith will become sight.

Prayer will become face-to-face conversation.

Hope will become reality.

And the redeemed will see His face.

Ellen White wrote:

“We want to get in the habit of talking of heaven, beautiful heaven. Talk of that life which will continue as long as God shall live, and then you will forget your little trials and difficulties. Let the mind be attracted to God.”⁵

So talk of heaven. Long for heaven. Prepare for heaven. But most of all, love Jesus.

Because heaven is heaven because Jesus is there.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Discussion Questions

When you think of heaven, what excites you most? What does your answer reveal about what you value?
What does it mean to have your heart right with God today?
Why is seeing Jesus face-to-face the greatest joy of heaven?
If worship feels boring to someone now, what might that reveal about the condition of the heart?
Who in your life needs to hear the invitation, “Come”? What is one simple way you can repeat that invitation this week?

Endnotes

Ellen G. White, In Heavenly Places (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1967), 227.
Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911), 651.
Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons (Battle Creek, MI: Review and Herald Publishing Company, 1900), 413–14. Standard EGW reference: COL 413.2.
Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Oakland, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1898), 822. Standard EGW reference: DA 822.3.
Ellen G. White, Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists (Basel: Imprimerie Polyglotte, 1886), 146. Reprinted in The Faith I Live By (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1958), 365.