“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints..."  Ephesians 1:16-18

THANKSGIVING/GRATITUDE is based upon the faithfulness and mercies of God in the past; while HOPE is looking towards the future with confidence and joy because of the Abba goodness of the Father, secured by the cross and resurrection of the Son and applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

“The apostle Paul is praying that the eyes of our understanding may be enlightened in order that we may come to know the character of the inheritance to which we are going, the inheritance which God is preparing for us….The Apostle, is praying that we may come to see more and more of what lies ahead for us, and that we may have more frequent glimpses of it. He does not wish it to be something remote and strange to us. His desire is that we may not only look (2:20) at our title deeds and specifications, but that by faith we may have an occasional glimpse of the inheritance itself…”  Martin Lloyd-Jones, God's Ultimate Purpose, p. 379

Heaven:

“And for a gracious reward, the Lord will cause them, (believers), to possess such a glory as never entered into the heart of man to conceive. Therefore, we expect that great day with a most ardent desire to the end that we may fully enjoy the promise of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus, (Revelation 22:20).”  Belgic Confession, The Last Judgment, (1561) Article 37

“....Where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery; filled with inconceivable joys, made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels, but especially, in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, and of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit to all the eternity…”  Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 90

Why is our understanding of heaven of incredible importance?

1. Our c______________________. 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."  Romans 8:18

2. It brings a wonderful b_____________ to the Christian life as we live in the, “already but not yet.” 

“What is sanctification….As the Holy Spirit applies the death and resurrection of Christ to his people, he renews them in their whole being to become in whole being after the image of God; having the seeds of, showing a life of repentance, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased and strengthened, so that they MORE AND MORE die unto sin and rise unto newness of life.”  Larger Catechism, Question 75

“This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet it is imperfect in this life because there abides within us some remnants of corruption in every part; from which arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh.”  Westminster Confession of Faith, Article 13, Sanctification, Part Two.

3. The pondering of eternity leads to obedient living and a deep desire to continually taste the goodness of the Lord by living a life of holiness.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."  Colossians 3:1-5

4. Courageous joy. 

“let us be COURAGEOUS AND REJOICE ALWAYS… let us consider and lay to heart that while the Lord is with us, our foes can do us no hurt…but if they see us rejoicing in the Lord, contemplating the bliss of the future, mindful of the Lord, deeming, all things in his hand… they are discomfited, and turned backwards REJOICING IN THE LORD…”  Athanasius (298-373)

“There is nothing dreary and doubtful about life in the Lord. It is meant to be continually joyful… We are called to a settled happiness in the Lord, whose joy is our strength.”  Amy Carmichael (d. 1951)