We are Being Prepared for Something Great Boring? Not a chance! The earthly mindset of the unspiritual limits their enthusiasm for the wonders of heaven (Psalm 10:4; 1 Cor. 2:9; John 14:3; Heb. 11:16). Heaven is a place of activity and purpose. Consider the activities of angels and their eagerness to see the culmination of God’s plans (Matt. 6:10; Luke 15:7, 10; 1 Peter 1:10-12) Heaven is being prepared for us and we are being prepared for it.

We are Being Prepared for Something Great An Interesting Look at Joseph He had his dreams (Gen. 37:10-11) He had his training (Gen. 39:1-6, 20-23; 41:39) He had proven character (1 Tim. 4:16; Phil. 2:22) Potiphar’s wife became Joseph’s second pit (Pr. 23:27) Joseph’s trials shaped his character for great service (Genesis 45:4-8) He was “proven,” then promoted (Psalm 105:17-19; James 1:12; Rom. 5:3-4; 15:4) Like Joseph, our hope rests on proven character.

We are Being Prepared for Something Great Rest, Rejoicing, and Responsibility The Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Minas teach great lessons about the end of time and the kingdom of heaven. They reveal that we will not be bored in the next life but instead we will serve the One who has always served us (Rev. 22:3-5). Even Jesus, who was made like us, did not quit serving us when He went back to heaven (Heb. 7:25; Luke 12:37).

We are Being Prepared for Something Great The Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30) The Lord prepared to go to a far country. Doesn’t this represent Jesus going to heaven? He gave His servants talents and expected them to work it and increase it. The Lord returned from the far country. Representing the second coming and judgment It is the “last day” (John 6:44). Anything that happens after this will be happening in heaven or hell. The faithful servants were given more responsibility (vs. 21, 28). This responsibility and service would be in heaven since there are no more earthly days

We are Being Prepared for Something Great The Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27) The nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom. That’s precisely what Jesus did (Dan. 6:13-14; Acts 2:34-36) Upon leaving he gave His servants responsibility. “Do business till I come” (vs. 13). The nobleman returned from the far country, and there was an accounting before him. Does this sound like judgment day to you? The servants who were faithful in “very little” were given more responsibility. Once again, the greater responsibility seems to be given after the judgment, at the end of time on earth.

We are Being Prepared for Something Great But What About Rest? Heaven is a place of rest from our labors (Rev. 14:13; Heb. 4:9-10). We will be free from temptation, sin, stress, pain & sorrow. We will have spiritual bodies that are released from fleshly weakness (1 Cor. 15:50-54; Rom. 8:23; Phil. 3:20-21). When God “rested” after creation, He moved on to other activity (John 5:17; Psalm 121:4) In heaven, we rest from earthly labors while continuously serving the Father in a land in which there is no night (Rev. 22:3-5).