Awe and wonder in Heaven

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isa. 40:5)

The number one attraction in Heaven is Jesus Christ. In fact, Heaven is what it is because he is in it. It is wonderful because he who is wonderful is here. It is glorious because he who is glorious is present. It is awesome because he is awesome!

It is interesting that Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “awe” in two ways. According to Webster, around the 13th century it was understood to mean “dread” or “terror.” At that time, if I referred to someone as being “awesome,” I would have meant that they possessed the power, either by their presence or by their reputation, to inspire anxiety. And, while this sensation in no way embodies what I experience as a follower of Christ in the presence of my loving Father, it does define the atmosphere that exists when God’s enemies are confronted with his presence.

The more modern definition of awe, according to Webster, is “an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime.” This more accurately describes the atmosphere of Heaven.

Here in Heaven, because the One who is altogether lovely is present, worship is drawn out of me.

Here, because the phenomenon of his glory is fully revealed, a wonder exists beyond my capacity to absorb, hence my need of a glorified body. Here, because I am eternally stimulated by his influence, I am forever in awe.

In fact, the place that the living Christ occupies is beyond awesome!

Its courts ring out with the most glorious sounds ever heard by human ears and its sights are beyond anything ever imagined by the human mind. No glory is like it, no splendor can come close to it and no beauty can match it. His grandeur is abundant and his position holds the highest dignity. No human words can express it, but as he is one day fully manifest to the world, all mankind will see it, and know beyond all doubt that the living Christ is the most glorious of all glories and the most wonderful of all wonders.

How awesome it is to live forever with the number one attraction in Heaven, Jesus my Messiah!

I can’t wait!

Laurie Langdon