By Joannie DeBrito
Home Is Where We Feel Safe, Loved, and Close to God
I have a confession to make. I am a natural born homebody. Oh yes, I love to be in the outdoors, taking in all of the beauty and magnificence that this world has to offer, hiking in the mountains, swimming in a crystal clear cool lake, riding my bike through a forest of Autumn colors, playing in the snow or listening to the crackle of a fire while I scan the sky for an endless number of stars and other cosmic objects in space. However, I feel most comfortable and closest to God, sitting at home, surrounded by familiar pictures of my family, wrapped in a warm blanket and enjoying my favorite tastes, smells and sounds.
One of my greatest joys is decorating my house for every season or special occasion and celebrating with gourmet dinners prepared for my friends and family. Ladies, (and maybe some of you guys) just picture the opening of any Hallmark-type movie, as the camera focuses through the door of a beautiful home with plenty of pillows on the couch, fresh flowers in vases, tea simmering on the stove, a clean, friendly dog to snuggle with and music that leads you to each and every cozy corner of this humble abode. The table is set with dishes and candles and fine linens and you can almost smell the stick-to your gut lasagna that is just about ready to be served with garlic bread, salad and a warm chocolate dessert that is still cooking in the oven. The ambiance, however, is not the most important aspect of this home. Rather, it is the peace, joy, comfort and safety I feel being alone or with loved ones in the presence of God.
What Will Our Eternal Home Be Like?
Revealing a Restored Creation
One specific view of Heaven, supported by scriptures in the book of Revelation, is known as the New Earth theology, which describes Heaven as a restored Earth that does not show any of the effects of the Fall. There is no ruin, decay, destruction, pain, death, suffering or brokenness of any kind. Creation is restored on Earth to what God originally created in the Garden of Eden.
What Scripture Tells Us About Heaven
John describes this in Revelation 21-22 when he talks about “a new heaven and a new Earth”, says that God declares “I am making all things new” and that “no longer will there be any curse.”
Now, put that assumption together with the promise that those of us who accept Jesus Christ as our savior will spend eternity in Heaven. Our eternal home will not be where we dwell right now, in structures that come with cracks, leaky pipes, weeds in the yard and carpet that holds the smells of spills of its human inhabitants and furry animal friends. Instead, we may live in beautiful God-made dwellings with no flaws, beautiful landscapes, endless joyful music, tastes that never disappoint and enticing smells. Our physical bodies will be immortal and we will be constantly in the presence of God. Or perhaps, we will not have physical bodies and exist only as spiritual beings.
Ok, at this point, you could argue this perfect view of Heaven for a variety of reasons but go with me to one more part of this dream. Imagine that you could explore this new Heaven on Earth with none of the restrictions of our mortal bodies. You could fly up to space to discover what is beyond the stars or dive to the deepest depths of the oceans with no concerns about drowning and swim next to a whale with no fear. You could jump off a high waterfall without worrying about breaking multiple bones or be teleported Star Trek style to any place on Earth to spend as much time as you want in the Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter. (I could spend months, years, maybe even decades in the snow!) Hey, we’re talking eternity here. While romping through a field of beautiful weed-free flowers, you wouldn’t be dodging bee stings, encounters with snakes, pesky bugs or looking for poison ivy. You could join any chorus of people praising God and take walks with Jesus, talk with him and experience his love ANYTIME.
Help Your Grandchildren Look Beyond This Life
Even though we currently inhabit Earth in the 21st century, we also know that this is not our permanent home, according to Hebrews 13:14. As grandparents, we need to keep reminding our grandchildren of that reality when we talk to them about their experiences in this life. Help them to ponder what Scripture actually teaches about the New Heaven and the New Earth, because children often learn Biblical principles through the stories in God’s Word.
When They Are Struggling or Suffering
When they are struggling or suffering, listen to them and communicate grace and compassion for them. Encourage them to remember that there will be no suffering in eternity:
Revelation 21:4 says: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (ESV)
When They Ask Hard Questions About God
When they are asking the hard questions about this life and struggling to reconcile the image of a loving perfect God with the unfairness, injustices, hurt and pain in this world, certainly provide wise Biblical counsel. However, all the counsel in the world may still leave them wondering. (I certainly have questions I want to ask God, don’t you?) So, encourage them to write down their questions- many of which are likely to be answered as they grow older- and remind them that if they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, one day, they will be able to ask Jesus those questions and hear the answers that will be understood and acceptable in a perfect, pain free place.
John 14:1-3 explicitly states that Jesus will be with us in Heaven and Luke 23:43 refers to that place as “paradise.”
When They Are Searching for Their Identity
Perhaps most importantly, when our grandchildren are focusing too much on their possessions, accomplishments or identity as evidence of their value, we need to remind them of the sources of their value in this life and in eternity. Each seeking grandchild’s true worth comes from being a child of God, and each believing grandchild’s worth is drawn from being God’s creation, a follower of Jesus, a seeker of the Holy Spirit, serving God and responding to others with the fruit of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, as referred to in Galatians 5:22-23.
Teach Grandchildren Where Their True Treasure Is
Our Earthly Treasures Are Temporary
Another passage talks about what we value as our treasures and how they relate to our hearts:
Matthew 6:19-21 says:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (ESV)
Our Hearts Reveal What We Treasure
At the end of this passage, one might notice an implied cause and effect relationship between our values and the condition of our hearts. The words in verse 21 might be seen as providing a cause-effect relationship between our treasure and our heart. That verse could be read as saying that the things you accumulate in this life will reflect the desires (fleshly or Heavenly) of your heart or that your heartfelt desires (fleshly or Heavenly) will drive you to seek certain treasures. When talking with seeking grandchildren about their treasures, it can be helpful to encourage them to think about what value their earthly treasures may have in the afterlife without Jesus and with Jesus. Conversely, when communicating with believing grandchildren you might ask, “What value will ________ have for you in this life and in eternity?” Young children may very well be able to see the value of a toy in Heaven but as they mature, most kids will recognize that the toys of this life eventually break or are no longer useful to them while practicing the fruit of the spirit and living according to Biblical principles, morals, ethics and values will help them in their walk with Jesus and in their Heavenly, eternal home.
Prepare Your Grandchildren for Their Forever Home
Our grandchildren are our treasures and it is our responsibility to prepare them for Heaven. Pray for them continually, show them how you plan for eternity and regularly expose them to The Word which contains the playbook for their forever home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about our eternal home?
The Bible teaches that believers have an eternal future with God and that this present world is not our permanent home. Revelation 21–22 describes a new Heaven and a new Earth where God dwells with His people and suffering, death, and the curse are no more.
How can grandparents talk to grandchildren about Heaven?
Grandparents can use children’s questions, dreams, experiences, and struggles as opportunities to talk about what Scripture teaches about Heaven, eternity, Jesus, and God’s promises. Conversations should be age-appropriate, honest, compassionate, and grounded in Scripture.
How can grandparents help grandchildren think about eternity?
Grandparents can regularly point grandchildren toward eternal rather than temporary values. Conversations about suffering, identity, possessions, accomplishments, and relationships can all become opportunities to discuss what matters in light of eternity.
Why is it important to teach grandchildren about eternity?
Teaching grandchildren about eternity helps them develop an eternal perspective. It reminds them that their value does not come from possessions, accomplishments, or the approval of others, but ultimately from God and their relationship with Him.
What should grandparents teach grandchildren about Heaven?
Grandparents should distinguish between what Scripture clearly teaches and what Christians may speculate about Heaven. Scripture gives us the assurance of God’s presence, the end of suffering and death, and an eternal future with Him, while leaving some details unknown.
