Do you sometimes wonder what heaven will be like? All of us do, I suppose. I confess, however, that the nearer I come to the end of earth's journey the more often I indulge in "sanctified curiosity" about the home Jesus has promised to believers. What will be my reaction when I cross the river and enter into glory?

British theologian Stephen Neill asked himself the same question. At first he was inclined to think his emotion would be astonishment. But then he decided that his emotion, "to put it a little more precisely," would be "astonished joy."

Yes, astonished joy indeed! The apostle Paul called believers in Christ citizens of heaven, and wrote, "We also eagerly wait for the Savior, . . . who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body" (Phil. 3:20-21). Paul looked forward to a day when sin and pain and grief would be gone forever.

What a soul-thrilling vision that will be when we see our Lord! What indescribable ecstasy we will experience! Fully aware at last of the sheer marvel of redemptive grace that has brought us into the presence of unparalleled beauty, we will be filled with astonished joy!  — Vernon C. Grounds