Answers

Q:

How can we be happy in heaven, when we know that people on earth are still suffering and doing cruel things to each other? This has always bothered me.


A:

One answer is that in heaven we won’t be focused on what is happening on earth — not at all. Our attention will be focused on God, and on the glorious life He is giving us in heaven. In that day, the Bible says, we “will share in the glory to be revealed” (1 Peter 5:1).

In heaven, we also will understand God’s perfect plan for the human race, and how even human sin and rebellion were unable to stop it. To put it another way, right now we see only part of the picture of what God is doing — but in heaven we’ll see the whole picture, and we will understand that even in the midst of great evil and suffering, God was still at work. As the Apostle Paul said, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

This may be hard for us to understand right now — but I hope you will never forget two great truths the Bible teaches us. First, it tells us that heaven is a place of perfect joy and peace, and the reason is because we will be beyond the reach of everything that might harm us. Satan will be bound forever!

Second, the Bible reminds us that heaven is our true home, if we know Christ. When we leave God out of our lives we have no hope of heaven — but when we yield our lives to Christ, our sins are forgiven and we know that someday we will enter into His presence forever. Have you put your faith and hope in Him?