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Occasionally, we have the pleasure of attending a program, concert, play, musical or sporting event in which one or more of our precious grandkids are participating. Our granddaughter, Josie, is quite a musical gal and not only sings beautifully but also plays both the piano and the French horn. Recently, we were blessed to be able to go to an area-wide high school orchestra concert where students from various schools who proved themselves competent on their instruments and stood out in their own local ensembles came together to experience performing at an even more proficient level.

Touting my granddaughter’s and her music colleagues’ prowess aside, it was a nicely presented event with the musicians dressed in black attire and an acoustically apt auditorium that enhanced the orchestra’s harmonious sounds. Held at and sponsored by a state-run college, a fee was charged for entrance. We did not, however, receive a ticket. As is true in some venues, an ink stamp was applied to the top of a hand as proof of payment, which allowed for entrance and reentrance as needed. Interestingly, the stamp design was of some sort of lizard or other reptilian creature imprinted with black ink. Being that this was on a college campus, I looked on the school’s website to see if somehow the college and this unusual figure were connected. The school’s mascot is actually a mountain lion, so the strange little animal that now decorated each concert attendee’s hand appeared to be an arbitrary symbol. As with all such stampings, the next day’s shower made it disappear, but as with many everyday experiences, it gave me a point to ponder.

There is a mark made on each of us who receive the Lord’s gracious gift of salvation. To make a clear connection, let’s take a look at what the Amplified Bible says, “In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God]” (Ephesians 1:13, Amplified Bible). This stamp “is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [his believers], to the praise of his glory” (vs. 14). Most important is the payment, which is the blood of Christ offered by him freely through his death on the cross. It is this stamp, purchased by his shed blood, that marks us and gives us entrance into God’s eternal abode, termed in the Bible as heaven. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:7-10, ESV).

As much as we do not know about this destination place for believers at the end of the age, there is information about this magnificent dwelling to read and study in God’s Word. Heaven is God’s throne (Isaiah 66:1). There is a sea of glass, like crystal, before the throne (Revelation 4:6). He and his throne are far more beautiful and brilliant than anything we will encounter or imagine on earth (Revelation 4:2-3). We know that Jesus is actually preparing places (rooms or mansions, in some translations) for us to live there (John 14:2). As followers of Jesus, we are already considered citizens of this kingdom (Philippians 3:20). We are to store up treasures in heaven, making its furtherance of prime importance in our lives (Matthew 6:20). An imperishable inheritance is kept there for us (1 Peter 1:4). All those who are believers will be together with the Lord and each other (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). All residents of heaven will worship the Lord forever (Revelation 4:8-11, 5:9-14, 7:9-16, 19:1-5). We will join in a great wedding feast to celebrate the union of the Bride of Christ (believers) and the Lamb (Christ) (Revelation 19:6-9). There will be no more sin, nothing unclean, nothing accursed, and there is no need for a temple or for light, because the Lord God and the Lamb are the temple and the light in it (Revelation 21:22-22:4).

These are some of the verses in Scripture that give us a glimpse into what it will be like in heaven. As we are presently in the Easter season, it is a very appropriate time to give glory to the Lord and much thanks for stamping those of us who have received his gift of salvation, making us welcome members of his kingdom. The Bible tells us that purchasing us and marking us with Jesus’ blood is not arbitrary, but is extremely relevant and needed. “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22, ESV). And, it is a mark that will not wash off or come off in any way, but will keep us throughout all eternity. “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, ESV).

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