Lesson Fifty Two

HEAVEN AND A BEAUTIFUL NEW WORLD

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Memory Verse: Isaiah 25:9
Further Study: The Great Controversy, pp. 662-678; The Story of Redemption, pp. 413, 414; 430-433; Early Writings, pp. 16, 17; The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 205-208

As you might suspect I write my devotions way ahead of when the reader reads them. It happens to be October and tomorrow is Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Why would a Jewish holiday spark my thoughts for Christians seeking encouragement? Because of something that Jews around the world do at the close of this important observance.

Yom Kippur is also known as the Day of Atonement. It is the same Day of Atonement that one finds in the Bible. Jewish people will spend 25 hours in fasting and prayer focused on asking forgiveness for their sins. At the close of the final prayer service, L’shanah haba’ah biy’rushalaim is sung. This same song is sung at the end of each Passover seder, the second most important Jewish holiday. Translated, the song means “Next year in Jerusalem.”

This song was added to the liturgy in the tenth century, so it has been sung by Jews for hundreds of years. While the meaning of it varies, the best explanation I found is that the city of Jerusalem for Jews is seen as a place of happiness and elation. While the temple no longer stands, the hope within the Jewish heart and mind is that Jerusalem might be restored; that the “redeemed” will gather once again in Zion. This Hebrew song expresses this desire—next year may it be so.

It is now the end of December, and we will soon turn the page into a new year. While our Jewish friends have yet to claim the Messiah and cling to the glory days of a Jerusalem long gone, the desire to be in a better place where there is elation and joy is not unlike what we as Christians also long for. The difference is that we seek the New Jerusalem—not an earthly city, but heavenly one—a place of light, joy, and Jesus. A place where God wipes away all tears. A place where sin will arise no more. A place to live with all those we love, reunited for eternity. It’s where we long to be.

It’s where we long to be.

Perhaps we too should end our time of prayer and worship in a similar fashion—next year in heaven! If each day we looked forward to the next year when Jesus would come and take us home to heaven, would it change our living day to day? I think it would. Longing for heaven is to live for Jesus. It’s about being ready. About looking for ways to represent Jesus in the marketplace, witness in our neighborhoods, love others within our community, and share the work in our churches. 

Who doesn’t want to think about the exciting possibility of being in heaven next year? I know I do. May we become so heavenly minded this coming year that in the process we are renewed.

Digging Deeper 

Ever done a Bible study on heaven? This is a chain reference study that you can place in your Bible. It can be referenced at any time either for your own reminder or to share with someone else. Turn in your Bible to the first text on the list. Highlight the verse in some way and place an “H” next to it (for Heaven). Then in the Bible margin write the next text. Then turn to that text and repeat the same steps—underline it, write the “H” and add the next text until you reach the end (in this case number 13). By the last text, write the word “end” to indicate the end of the study. Don’t forget to write the “H,” the word “Heaven,” and the first Bible text in the flyleaf of your Bible so you always know where to begin your study.

1. John 14:1-3
2. Hebrews 11:10
3. Revelation 21:2
4. Revelation 21:10-27
5. Matthew 5:5
6. Revelation 21:2, 10
7. Isaiah 65:17-25
8. Revelation 21:3-4
9. Revelation 22:1-4
10. John 10:28
11. 1 Corinthians 2:9
12. 1 Corinthians 13:12
13. Galatians 3:29

Making it Real

This is the week to think about heaven. Here’s some ideas but come up with some of your own.

1. Each day at worship sing a song about heaven. Some suggestions from The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal: “Marching to Zion,” No. 422; “Holy, Holy, Is What the Angels Sing,” No. 425; “No Night There,” No. 427; “Sweet By and By,” No. 428; “Joy By and By,” No. 430; and “Shall We Gather at the River,” No. 432. Tunes can be found at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/.
2. Think about heaven this week. Make a list of the things that heaven means to you.
3. How does thinking and longing for heaven change our attitude? In what ways will you be changed this week as you think about heaven?
4. Take some time and do the chain reference Bible study in “Digging Deeper.” Can you see how the verses connect together to explain the topic of “Heaven”?

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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.