Do you want to know what Heaven will be like? The Bible contains an accurate description of what we will see, hear, and experience in Heaven. The Bible also defines Heaven in terms of what won’t be there.

Some aspects of our earthly life will be missing in Heaven. Why? Because life as we know it is not as God originally intended – and God plans to restore what has been lost.

In Part 1 of “Heaven…What You Won’t Find There”, we looked at the meaning of Revelation 22:3, “There will no longer be any curse.”

God is holy. He is infinitely and absolutely pure and good. Heaven, His dwelling place, reflects His holiness, while earth is corrupted by sin and under a curse. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has provided a way for us to be redeemed from the curse, forgiven, and restored to relationship with Him.

Someday, God will create new heavens and a new earth free from sin and its corruption – free from the curse (2 Peter 3:13). This is where we who have received Christ will enjoy perfect face-to-face fellowship with God and Jesus forever.

In Part 2, we looked at the meaning of Revelation 21:27, “and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into [the new Jerusalem in the new earth], but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

In Heaven, and in the new earth that God will create, there will be no sin, no corruption, no curse. There will be no “unclean” things or people.

What does this mean for us in practical terms? No Distress. There will be no thing and no person that would cause distress, that would tempt us or harm us in any way.   This is the topic of today’s message.

“Distress” is defined as “great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble. … that which causes pain, suffering, trouble, danger, etc.” (dictionary.com)

Here on earth, we are so used to distress, we can’t imagine living without it. Revelation 21:1-5 gives us a glimpse of the wonders that await us. Take a few minutes to reflect on this passage and let your faith and hope increase. “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Revelation 21:1-5
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

In Heaven and in the new earth, there will be:

No more distressing temptation to sin.
No more painful thoughts or memories.
No more sorrow.
No more discouraging words.
No more worry, anxiety, or fear.
No more physical suffering.
No more lack.
No more troubles…or danger…or death.
NO MORE TEARS.

There will be nothing in Heaven or in the new earth that will cause sorrow, pain, danger, or fear. Nothing will decay, become spoiled, or fade away (1 Peter 1:4). On the new earth, there will be no seas and no night (Revelation 21:1,25; 22:5). There will be no need for the sun or moon…and no danger of the sun’s scorching heat, for God’s glory will illumine everything (Revelation 7:16; 21:23; 22:5).

God’s promises are faithful and true. If you follow Christ here on earth, you can expect to be with Him when you leave your earthly life behind. You can expect to be transformed to be like Him. You can have confidence that you will live with God forever in a beautiful place where there is no distress.

As you go through life’s difficulties, remember to look up and thank God for the hope He has given you through Jesus. You have so much to look forward to!

Romans 8:18
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”