What can we expect once our eyes close for the last time?

What can we expect once our eyes close for the last time?

Is there anyone who can tell us the answer to that rhetorical question?  St. Paul’s description of a man who was caught up to the third heaven and into paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one can utter.  (2 Cor 12: 2 - 4).  So, one person, who by Paul’s limited explanation, 

Could not give us any more information than any of us already have. 

This quandary of the unknown searching for an answer that most realize the finite personality or understanding is purposely withheld from man.  As often as human beings speak about heaven and what it must be like, the same people will just shrug their shoulders and go on with whatever they were doing before the question came up.  For most people the question rarely comes up since as Paul mentioned regarding the man who went to the third heaven remains silent.  Consequently, even philosophers may let this one go since we haven’t found any positive issuance regarding this issue.  

Perhaps we can dig a little deeper into this missing entity that only God knows and hasn’t revealed even a hint about the realms of heaven, our position therein, or what we might be asked to experience.  We believe the world of virtue and praise of God is a guarantee.  Jesus spoke of a new home we will have, being  prepared by him, and no doubt this has left us a golden opportunity to strive for its pleasure.  

Scripture mentions more than once regarding weddings and Jesus as the bridegroom.  Also the wedding feast of the Lamb and his Bride the Church.  The Lamb is Christ and we are the Church.  Jesus was preparing his Bride as an offering to his Father where all will one day (remember this term is the only way to describe this event)  come  together where we all shall drink of the wine as in celebration of the completion of Jesus’ mission on earth.  (see Mark 14: 25) where he says, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.  Amen I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”  This also alludes to the banquet celebrating the wedding he often spoke about. 

One note here, upon viewing the mention of Jesus marrying the church as his bride becomes an opinion and contradicts this very teaching.   Metaphorically speaking we can say that it isn’t a generally accepted marriage as we are concerned, but using metaphors to describe what scripture is speaking about can only confuse most people.  Marriage is the beginning of a love that comes to fruition between two persons (a man and woman) and it constitutes a relationship that is forever!  The compilation of this ceremony which will become spectacular in the halls of heaven, and be attended by all who will be there to honor the Grooms’ Father for a united family which  cannot be explained away by metaphors.   

A very inquisitive realization regarding our specific place or ministry in heaven is the fact that teaching may still be an essential part of our talents on earth, transposed with our souls into this wonderful new home.  Another question; will everyone in heaven have a complete understanding or wisdom regarding all that the Trinity has ready for us?  If there is an opportunity to learn more, if that is needed, we will have a never ending eternity to search and share with each other.  The most essential existence is we shall be one with God and that may answer the very inquisition we seem to adhere to.  

Our question of what we can expect once we close our eyes for the last time is the most beautiful dream of things untold, or even imagined.  We can say this with authenticity even though none of us have seen this.

“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him, this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.”  (1 Cor 2: 9 - 10).  

Ralph B. Hathaway