Will there be celebrations in Heaven? Scripture gives a resounding “Yes!”

Celebrate means “to observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing” (thefreedictionary.com). It can also mean “to praise (someone or something); to say that (someone or something) is great or important” (merriam-webster.com).

Here on earth, our celebrations and joy are often short-lived. The “cares of this life” can weigh us down. Disappointment, sorrow, and other consequences of mankind’s fall into sin tend to take a toll on us. But in Heaven, there will be nothing to bring us “down”. Ever.

According to Scripture, Heaven is a place of celebrations and rejoicing – a place of great JOY. Do you want to increase your joy? Take time to reflect on the verses below.

God and angels rejoice
Zephaniah 3:17   “The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”

Luke 10:21   “At that very time [Jesus] rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, ‘I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants…’”

Luke 15:7,10,32 (The parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son)

“7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.”

Hebrews 12:22-23   “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of *angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.” (*Or angels in festive gathering, and to the church)

Fullness of joy in God’s presence…and pleasures forever
Psalm 16:11 “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

Thanksgiving, praise, and gladness…on earth and in Heaven
Isaiah 43:21 “The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.”

Psalm 50:23   “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.”

Psalm 30:11-12 “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

Psalm 100:1-5   “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His loving kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.”

Isaiah 61:3 “To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Revelation 19:5-6   “And a voice came from the throne, saying, ‘Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.’ Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns…’”

The greatest celebration of all: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
Revelation 19:6-9 “’…Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.’ It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, ‘Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, ‘ These are true words of God.’”

Good news of great joy: an invitation
Luke 2:10-11   “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

What Do You Think?

The “good news of great joy” is that God has provided the way for us to receive forgiveness of sins, a personal relationship with Him, and entrance to Heaven. That way is by trusting in Christ as our Savior and Lord. If you do not have assurance that you will experience the joy of Heaven, read “How Can I Know God”.

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