The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

From the writings of the

Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Some people think Heaven will be like living a fairy tale. Others think it will be boring. What is the right answer?

A: Heaven captures the imagination, but it is not an imaginary place. It is not a fantasyland in which to dwell. It is not a place one can travel to and come back again—at least not in our earthbound life. Heaven is a literal place.

The wonderful book of Proverbs is deep and wide because it is the voice of wisdom speaking to our hearts. It is the Lord Jesus Himself gathering up His eternal attributes that call to us with His understanding, truth, righteousness, knowledge and instruction, prudence and discretion, reverence, counsel, strength, love, riches and honor, justice, rejoicing, blessing, wisdom, mercy, grace and eternal life. This is what Heaven is and will be forever.

Generations have been thrilled with the song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Yes, the whole world takes up just a smidgen. The Bible says, “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span? … The nations are as a drop in a bucket” (Isaiah 40:12, 15). More important than Heaven capturing our imagination is the God of Heaven capturing our souls. Just because Heaven is beyond the reach of our satellites and telescopes does not mean that Heaven is beyond the reach of our hearts. The key to finding Heaven is finding Christ.

When the day is finished people generally head for home. Far better than any dream imaginable is the supernatural transformation that will take place for all of God’s people when He transports us to His heavenly home, and all those who belong to Him. Don’t miss it!

Q: My teacher told my class that God is to blame for the mess our society is in. It is hard for me to debate her on this subject because, after all, if God is all-powerful, why can’t He stop the madness that is tearing our country apart?

A: Many people actually do blame God for our state of affairs. Political parties blame each other. No one, of course, blames the deceiver himself. Why? Because Satan cleverly performs his devious acts through mankind. He dances and drinks in the adulation of his worshippers as he glimmers and shimmers, displaying all that glitters and all that attracts the shallowness of man. Then suddenly the stinging whip wraps them around the waist; they fall to the ground. The deceiver reigns victorious—for a moment—as other followers, aghast and bewildered, blame God for their plight.

The Bible teaches that Satan is actually “the prince of this world” (John 12:31, NIV) and “the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2, NIV). As long as he is still roaming the earth, in constant conflict with God and pursuing his deadly plan, evil will remain.

But Jesus in His all-knowing will has declared, “Take heed that no one deceives you. … See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass” (Matthew 24:4, 6). If the human race would turn from its evil ways and return to God, putting behind its sins, He would deliver us from evil. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Christians must lead the way.