One intriguing feature of living on our spherical planet are the various times zones in which all earthly inhabitants live. This is noticeable in the advertising of the starting time for television programs, and businesses deal with this when trying to operate globally.
Times zones may not have a direct or daily impact on Christianity, but consider this for a moment. The “first day of the week” takes 23 hours to begin around the world. Therefore, since Christians are scattered all over the globe, they worship on the Lord’s Day at all hours over a 24-hour period. For example, when we are worshiping on Sunday morning in Florida, our brethren in Fiji are still sleeping in the middle of their night. But, won’t it be wonderful in heaven where there are no times zones! In eternity, there is no time, therefore, there are no limitations of time. The redeemed in heaven will not be scattered around the globe but will be united together in that holy city of God!
Accommodatingly, let me use the word “time” to depict how wonderful it will be when the family of God is all in heaven together, without any separation of distance or time.
For everyone in heaven, at the same time, it will be a time of joy. In Matthew 25:23, Jesus painted the scene at the judgment, when He will say to His faithful, “Enter into the joy of your lord.” Heaven will be a place of the greatest all-time joy…in the Lord…all the time!
For everyone in heaven, at the same time, it will be a time of worship. The apostle John caught a glimpse of heaven and saw that worship does not “cease” in heaven, as those around God’s throne shout, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty” (Rev. 4:8). Heaven will be a place of the greatest all-time worship…of the Lord…all the time!
For everyone in heaven, at the same time, it will be a time of serving. Revelation 22:3 tells us of the glories of heaven where it says, “His servants shall serve Him.” Heaven will be a place of the greatest all-time serving…of the Lord…all the time!
For everyone in heaven, at the same time, it will be a time of rest. John wrote what He heard from heaven, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on…that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Rev. 14:13). Heaven will be a place of the greatest all-time rest…in the Lord…all the time!
One of the greatest anticipations of heaven is being there with the redeemed, all at the same time and for all time. There, we will have joy all the time together, worship all the time together, serve all the time together and rest all the time together. Lord, hasten the day!