Genesis 2:1, “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.”

Ephesians 2:7, “so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

All Eternity

In January 1983, a three-nation infrared astronomy satellite soared into a 560-mile orbit above the earth and pointed its tracking antennae toward deep space. Almost at once, an avalanche of information poured into the computers at an English ground station. More than two hundred thousand new objects were soon spotted in the heavens, including twenty thousand galaxies in interstellar space. Astronomers couldn’t believe their good fortune. Having convinced themselves of the universe’s emptiness, the new treasures stunned them.

Christians are delighted, but not surprised. The God of Scripture created more in this world than can ever be investigated, studied, or understood. As a dim reflection of God’s incomparably resplendent grandeur we expect what the satellite revealed. Yet, all we have experienced here, or ever shall, reads like an empty page compared to the fullness of life to come in His presence.

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley copyright © 1995 by Word, Incorporated. Used by permission.

*Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Applicable Quotations

We talk about heaven being so far away. It is within speaking distance to those who belong there. — D.L. Moody

Heaven, the treasury of everlasting joy. — Shakespeare

As much of heaven is visible as we have eyes to see. — Winter

Our heart is in heaven; our home is not here. — Heber