20230901

the better place

Hebrews 11:13-16 (JDV)

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, although they had not received the promised things. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the land.
Hebrews 11:14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
Hebrews 11:15 If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return.
Hebrews 11:16 But they now desire a better place – one from the sky. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

the better place

The better place the author of Hebrews mentions is not heaven. It will come down from the sky when our king returns. Daniel saw a vision of the Son of Man coming with the clouds of the sky (Daniel 7:13). John saw a vision of the holy city of Jerusalem descending from the sky (Revelation 21:10).

Neither of these visions describes what happens at death. Our blessed hope is the glorious appearance of Christ (Titus 2:13). That is when we will experience the better place.