Heaven on earth...promised to us all?

In today's mail, we received a flier from a nearby church which had the following statement, "Heaven on earth...promised to us all!"

They put the exclamation point. I changed it to a question mark.

Because I thought we were promised...

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. John 15: 18-20

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2

Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:10


This evening I watched John Piper's one sermon on singleness in his series on marriage with some other couples. It was a great encouragement to me as one who is/was married and soon will be single.

Of course, I was single before I was married but I did not see the point of marriage as being the means to glorify Christ by keeping covenant. Marriage was all about being "in love" and finding "heaven on earth". I thought that since we were Christians, surely God will give us a happy marriage.

So why did God ordain my marriage to end?

I found the answer in John Piper's biographical talk on John Bunyan. This statement pierced my soul when I first heard it.

"Who knows what you are leaning on until it is taken away."

I don't know all that God has in mind but I believe that one of the main things, if not the main thing, was that I idolized my husband and marriage above Jesus Christ. I was looking to fill my thirst from broken cisterns but, in God's mercy, He allowed those broken cisterns to be taken away so I could find the true source of all that I was seeking.

In the midst of the sorrow, there is a joy that defies human explanation. It's not being happy. It's a joy that comes from beholding Christ as the greatest and most wonderful thing that I could ever know. Although, it is only a glimpse but that glimpse is beyond anything this world could ever offer. Even tonight, my heart is overflowing with joy from being with my brothers and sisters and being pointed to Christ in our time together. I am very humbled by God's love as seen through the saints who have been praying for us.

I am coming very, very close to being able to fully say these words by John Flavel.

O what a difference we have seen between our afflictions at our first meeting with them, and our parting from them! We have entertained them with sighs and tears but parted from them with joy, blessing God for them, as the happy instruments of our good. Thus our fears and sorrows are turned into praises and songs of thanksgiving.