One day somewhere on this earth I’ll take my last breath. The heart monitor that I am on will flat line. Someone in a white coat will come in the room and say something like “He’s gone”.  At that moment, like the beggar Lazarus, I will be transported to a land that is more beautiful than any place anyone this side of glory has ever seen. As I enter the celestial city, through the gates of pearl on the streets of gold, in that moment I will be overwhelmed with the sense of the presence of God… and I’ll know that I’m in heaven.

In that hour I will know a complete satisfaction like I have never known before.  My insides will no longer be restless but will be in complete peace and contentment. There will be no real labor, nothing to prove, no one to impress; just perfect, complete, eternal rest and yes… I’ll know that I’m in heaven.
Momentarily it will be clear to me that this place I am in is not just another world but a world where everything is right. Every wrong done to me, through me, by me or against me is made right. Every evil or mistake that has ever been perpetrated is now corrected. And as I see that there is no more hate, no more prejudice, no more wrongs, nor more injustice, no more lying, dying and no more crying and as I notice that there are people from every tribe, nation and tongue…. I’ll know that I am in heaven.

As I’m struck with the fact that this place is real and that I’m here forever even though I’ve only been here for a few minutes, it will become necessary for me to pinch myself. Shortly I become aware of how really happy I am. Any discontentment regarding how life was unfair to me and how it didn’t meet my expectations will disappear from my memory and I’ll be filled with a rejoicing that comes from a joy unspeakable and full of glory…. and I’ll know that I’m in heaven.

Soon I see others around me, even near me, some approaching me and as I do I know them though I have never met them before. There’s Abraham, Isaac and Jacob out for a stroll. Paul and Peter are talking about a finer point of theology.  Not only do I know them but they know me. In fact, everyone knows me and I know them. But my knowledge goes beyond that.  For the first time, my life and all I have come through makes sense. I see how it all fits together. I understand fully what life is all about….. and I’ll know that I’m in heaven. 

As I approach the river of life, I see a somewhat familiar reflection in the waters. It’s me, and man, do I look good. It’s not just that I am clothed in white, which has always been a good color for me and is on my color palate, but I have a glow and vitality about me. My body is changed, it’s new, it’s whole and it’s holy. I am seeing and hearing, and smelling and feeling and thinking perfectly and what’s more all my thoughts and all that’s in my heart are pure.  And I am seeing those for whom this is the same. My daughter whose expressions are now bound in an imperfect body will come bounding from the throne room rejoicing and singing as she never has before… and I will know that I’m in heaven.

Here come some people I haven’t seen in a while. There are Duke and Bunty Duchardt, my first Pastor and his wife, there’s my good friend Tom Maddox surrounded by his family, there’s Mr. Bob, he’s lost weight but he still looks like Santa.  There’s Lillian Smith surrounded by the kids she made Operation Christmas Child boxes for, there’s Nancy Pecora looking more beautiful than ever before and there are so many of you surrounded by the precious loved ones who’ve gone before and as we renew acquaintances and  celebrate… I’ll know, yes I’ll know that I’m in heaven.

As I near the center of the city I pass Jonathan, He says Pastor Dave it’s great to see, you’re looking great. I ask him where he got all the crowns he’s wearing and he says the same place you got yours. I reach up and for the first time I feel the crowns on my head obtained by the grace and mercy of our God…. and I’ll know that I’m in heaven.

Near the heart of the city I hear the chorus of holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come. I find myself worshipping like I never have before. My whole being voluntarily adoring, praising, giving thanks to the three times Holy God and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and the life-giving Holy Spirit.  As I’m with the multitude praising Him… I’ll know that  I’m in heaven.

Just then I turn a corner, and there’s a book, the Book of Life, and there my name is written as clear as it can be and then I hear my name, “Dave” and I turn and there He is. His hands and side still bear in them the marks of my redemption. The Alpha and the Omega, the Prince of Peace, the  Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings is before me and I am so overwhelmed that in my flesh I see God. I fall prostrate before Him casting my crowns at his feet and then I will hear the words I have longed to hear, the words that I lived to hear,  “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord”… and then I’ll know, yes then I’ll know, that I’m in heaven.