I keep finding myself in conversations discussing what is to come, promises of heaven, and the certainty of hell. The subject is something that I am all too familiar with and have been more than eager to jump right in the middle of it with my absolutes and practices rebuttals. This has came all too easy, with my years of absoluteness and closed minded training that I received in a Christian denomination that’s focus was on health, wealth and having all the answers. I can’t tell you how many times that I have been through Revelations 21 and marveled as a child the descriptions that were derived on the materials and architecture of heaven. As I’ve grown older and my faith has matured to the point that I believe I can say it is my own I have come to believe that so much of the conversation around heaven and hell is an exercise in missing the point.
Let me be clear that I do believe it is natural and I myself enjoy wondering and discussing what it may be like one day. But, should our focus be on the wonder of heaven or the absolute destruction of hell? I am inclined to say no. I believe the Gospel teaches us to focus on loving God and people. Our hearts and actions should be focused on bring heaven to the earth now and bless people around us now. Shouldn’t our consuming desire is to serve our God, Love God, and serve those that He loves, which is tough, because that is everyone. If we could set our minds on these things wouldn’t our lives be complete? Wouldn’t heaven become no less important, but no the focus of our existence and allow us to invest in our responsibilities now? Shouldn’t heaven be a bonus and the real prize is true fellowship with our Lord Jesus? When I stop and think that I have been chosen and pursued by God to be in relationship with Him I am not sure what Heaven is or Hell is really matters any more.
“I have come to believe that so much of the conversation around heaven and hell is an exercise in missing the point.” Yes, exactly. This was my big realization a few years ago. Thankfully my denomination (ELCA) is not really about this, I just didn’t get it when I was a kid.
What I think you’re talking about, and what I think Jesus was talking about is Realized Eschatology:
Luke 17:20-17:21
20Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.â€
Sadly the church has gotten used to using shorthand for some important theological concepts. e.g. just saying “Heaven” instead of “The Kingdom of God” or “The Kingdom of Heaven”. For many, Christianity has been twisted and watered down into something close to what the Pharisees were teaching and Jesus was arguing against.