So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NASB)I have a theory that whatever I can imagine of heaven, it will be even greater, more, better. So, I have taken up the habit or 'spiritual discipline' of pushing the boundaries of what heaven will be like. What I have taken as a model are various comments throughout Scripture on what to expect. There aren't many, and Revelation is difficult to decipher in many places. So, here's what I've come up with so far:
I imagine that we will know everything and everyone without hindrance, communicating without all the filters and baggage we have now. So we will be able to communicate with all believers without limit in time or clarity.
At the same time, or simultaneously, we will also have the complete face and attention of our Master. We will see face to face and know fully even as we are fully known. We will know 'prayer' in ways and to a depth we can't imagine now, again, without limits in filters or interpretation. We will know the mind of God like we know what's scheduled on TV, simply by looking and asking. Only He will engage with us as we engage with others now.
In the midst of this limitless communication, we will be worshiping the One True God, Creator and Master of all things and time. We will be crying out, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty; all the cosmos is full of His glory'. We will witness the elders casting their crowns, the four creatures about His throne, and the innumerable throng before His throne all worshiping with a roaring singular, multi-tone, multi-lingual song, yet never without meaning or lack of understanding. This activity will be without end.
Along with the activity of communicating, praying, and worshiping, will be a task and a challenge. I consider it some sort of purpose to the glorified body we will have; something that will take eternity to accomplish. In my imagination, I think of working within the Creation of my Master to influence free creatures to seek their Creator. As if the 'missionary' charge of my Master would continue unabated as He continues to draw all creatures to Himself, reconciling all of His creation to it's intended design, yet freely. This is perhaps where I've been spending most of my time imagining. But I also recognize that it's only a piece of a whole.
I imagine all these things being true at once. Without interruption in communication, worship, face-to-face prayer, and ministry all happening at once without regard to 'time' or 'place'; those two things will lose significance or relevance. I imagine there will be no break in continuity between any aspect of life. Life as we live it now in its temporal compartments will cease to have meaning, and those things we relegated to a weekly event or events will be the hub around which we live every other element of our lives; worship, prayer, and communing with the community of faith. We will be church in every aspect of that term, both universal and local, without distinction or limit in time, space, or comprehension.
I would think that such a view would inspire to begin to implement such things into my life now, to the extent I can. For instance, making church the priority it should have, communication, worship, prayer, and so on. I should begin focusing on influence for my King's Kingdom as well, which should the corresponding activity to any of the other activities I've called church. In this way, my King will have His will done here on earth as it is in heaven. Can such things mingle in my life now? If so, it may be time to extend my imagination even more.
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