When’s the last time you put up a tent? Kind of a flimsy thing wasn’t it? Kept in the trunk, or a dusty garage. Always takes a bit of labor to attach it to the ground, yet easily pulled down. Though a tent is good cover for a night, I wouldn’t classify it a permanent dwelling. That’s what God calls our body. Don’t get too comfortable in it. It’s been dying ever since we picked apples over God.

What a striking metaphor God has given us to understand our mortality. This tent that is our earthly home is shaky. Not to be trusted as adequate protection against wild winds and extreme temperatures. A tent is easily unhitched, picked up, and carried off. It’s a sobering physical reality. And more than anything we need a heavenly conversion.

Believers in Jesus groan for their heavenly dwelling. We can hardly wait to be indestructibly covered. We ache for this collapsible frame to fold and this body of death swallowed up by life. Old and broken does not qualify this type of groaning. For even the fledgling in Jesus would be well pleased to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

I hear fools speak of heaven like it’s more of the same. As if heaven is just a better version of earth. A longer vacation, a diet of ice cream, a happier harmony with missed family and old friends. Believer, do not incline your ears to such talebearers and whispers. The children of God are not raised a sensual body, but a spiritual one. When Jesus is finally revealed we shall be like Him. We shall behold our Savior and King as He is. How is this not heaven?  

If while in this tent we should cherish the old days, preserve regret in our bleeding hearts, dream of going back for another chance — we are as hopeless as Israel in the wilderness pining for the brick-pits of oppressive Egypt. We remain frozen as Lot’s wife longing for one more glimpse of wicked Sodom and Gomorrah. Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, I pray, turn your eyes from looking at worthless things, and may the Holy Spirit revive you in His way.

When “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.” “And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in His light.” “Where there is no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be there, and we shall serve Him.” When this bloodstained earth is wiped clean by the sweeping Hand of God, we shall dwell with Him in His holy habitation ever singing His praise.

“God is our portion, Christ our companion, the Spirit our Comforter, Earth our lodge, and Heaven is our Home.” ~ Charles Spurgeon