Many of you know that about a month ago, my church music professor from the University of the Cumberlands, Dr. David Etter, left this land of the dead for the land of the living. After a long, courageous battle with cancer, his body had finally had enough, and he moved into his heavenly home.
I have spent the last month thinking about him. His impact on my life and ministry is deeper than even I realized it was. When I say this man loved music, I cannot stress enough how true that is. I have never seen someone glow with as much joy as he did when his choirs finally “got it.” There were often months of frustration in rehearsals as missed notes, wrong rhythms, and possibly an unnamed member of the bass section not paying the closest attention… It’s me. I’m the bass. Sorry, Dr. Etter.
But after those long periods of hard work, eventually his choir would get it. In those moments, he would stop, pause, let the moment linger, and just enjoy it. He wasn’t taking pride in his work; he was proud of the group of young men and women in front of him. I saw him react similarly as we listened to accomplished choirs together or as composers would release new music that particularly struck him. He was in awe of music.
My mind has wandered in the past month to thinking about his journey through the gates of Heaven. None of us know what Heaven looks like, and I implore you to put the books about “heavenly tourism” away; they are all farces that come from either a horribly confused individual or a predator out for your money. But Scripture gives us some glimpses. For instance, Revelation 14:2-3 says, “And I heard a voice from Heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders.”
I have imagined Dr. Etter’s arrival into that new city of his. I can imagine him stepping through the gate, hearing the music from that heavenly choir, and stopping in his tracks to take it in. It would have to be the most beautiful song he has ever heard - and it probably isn’t even close. For him, a man who loved music more than life itself, the music of heaven far outshines even the best music of earth.
And the same is true for each of us! I am enamored with the beauties of Alaska. I have been there once and am going once again this year on my honeymoon. I could be satisfied the rest of my life simply staring at the glaciers, the snowy peaks, the bold green colors of the trees, and the wildlife that is at home in a habitat largely untouched by human hands. How much MORE beautiful must the river of the water of life, described as being clear as crystal, be? When you meet me in Heaven one day, you can be sure to find me standing on the banks of that river that is flowing by the very throne of God, or perhaps standing underneath the tree of life with its twelve unique kinds of fruit and its leaves that are for the healing of the nations. (Taken from Revelation 22:1-2)
For those who love city life, imagine being at home in a city with streets paved with gold. A place with no traffic, no crime, no pollution, no mess. For those homebodies who just love a good day sitting at the house, imagine being in a home prepared for you by Jesus Christ Himself! For us history buffs, we get to go and talk with all of our heroes of the past; even those of the Bible.
But the greatest treasure of all, I haven’t yet told you about. For those who love the Lord and enjoy His presence, a better and brighter day awaits us. For now, we enjoy the constant presence of the Spirit of God in our lives. It is true that He never leaves us and never forsakes us; but when we get to the city of God, we will be able to literally reach out and touch Him. His presence becomes even more near and real to us when we reach a place that has no need even of a singular streetlamp because His glory lightens the whole town. All of our problems, heartaches, and failures from Earth fade away to nothing when He wipes every tear from our eyes with His own hand.
See, Heaven magnifies all the simple joys of life. Whether we love nature, city life, history, family, or music, Heaven far outshines even the deepest enjoyment we get from those things on Earth. And if we love Jesus, Heaven presents us with the opportunity to actually hear His voice, feel His touch, and see His face.
But I would be remiss not to tell you that not everyone will make it. The Bible also says in Revelation 21:6-8, “Then He said to me, ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost. The one who overcomes will inherit these things and I will be his God and he will by My son. But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’”
Which one are you? Are you in the second category? We all were at one point in time. And truth be told, when I look at myself in the mirror, I see the second kind of person. I know my faults and flaws and I know that I am not worthy of the Kingdom of God and His Heaven. But when GOD looks at me, He sees His Son. He sees the blood of Christ that has washed over me and made me new. He declares me innocent, righteous, and blameless. It isn’t that I actually AM innocent, but because Jesus took my place on the cross, the righteous judge is able to declare in His courtroom that I am innocent. In so doing, I am an overcomer. I overcome because Jesus overcame. I am able to drink of the water of life because of Him. I inherit life because of Him. In spite of my life falling into that second category He mentioned, His grace has placed me in the first category.
And it can for you, too! Believe, today, in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and repent from your sins, and you will be saved!
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.” - John 1:12-13