Most of us have expectations about what comes after this life. For some, hopeful. For others, uncertain. As the title suggests, there are also expectations of boredom. And some are shaped more by imagination than by Scripture. We picture clouds, harps, and endless songs, or maybe a kind of spiritual retirement where everything finally slows down. Even some Christians assume we’ll become like angels, singing forever in a place far away.
But the Bible’s story is far richer. And far closer to home. It doesn’t end with us escaping Earth and being transported to some faraway place. Rather, it ends with Heaven coming to the New Earth, with God restoring creation itself. The next life isn’t a ghostly existence; it’s the fulfillment of everything good we’ve ever longed for beauty, purpose, adventure, and peace.
So before we decide whether the next life will be boring, maybe we should look again at what Scripture actually says about it – and what that means for the hopes, fears, and expectations we carry now.
How we limit our expectations of the next life
✏️ “Another reason people assume Heaven is boring is that their Christian lives are boring. That’s not God’s fault; it’s their own. God calls us to follow him in an adventure that should put us on life’s edge. He’s infinite in creativity, goodness, beauty, and power.” 1from “Heaven and Hell: Are They Real?” by Christopher D. Hudson
“Heaven and Hell: Are They Real?”
Isn’t that the quote the truth? We do have a tendency to put God in a box on so many things. Including this one.
My own fears when I was much younger
When I was younger, I was always afraid that God would want me to be like the Apostle Paul. I mean, seriously – look at what he went through – and then I dare you to tell me his life was boring. Very scary. But hardly boring.
Paul Boasts About His Sufferings – 2 Corinthians
2 Co:11:24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
For most people – that’s anything but boring.
Of course, without Satan, the danger part won’t be there – since there won’t be any war between good and evil going on. That will be over.
The future life God offers to us
But given the excitement here on earth now – imagine the possibilities for adventure when everything is as it should be.
The Branch From Jesse – Isaiah
Isa 11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
Isa 11:7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
Isa 11:8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.
Isa 11:9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
That seems more like imagination, properly fed by God’s own words.
With things like that, the possibilities are endless.
I, for one, can’t wait.
Footnotes:
- 1from “Heaven and Hell: Are They Real?” by Christopher D. Hudson
Discover more from Which god can save?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.