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Paradise Gained
From the window of the plane I watched the blue of the ocean become turquoise as we descended. When we landed at the airport on Grand Cayman Island and exited the plane, the weather was hot and the customs lines were long and out of doors. It was a long and uncomfortable wait while our bags and passports were examined to see if we were approved for admittance to the tiny island paradise.
When we were finally through the lines, my husband and I were escorted to the home of a relative who lived on the other side of the island. Gorgeous flowering bushes, palm trees, and buildings of Mediterranian architectural influence dotted the long white sandy beaches. And I will never forget the view as we walked toward the water from the relative's house. Before us were miles of the beautiful turquoise Caribbean Sea extending as far as I could see. Occasionally some exotic fish would break the surface and then dive back again into his watery home.
Ceiling fans and open windows was the usual Caymanian form of air conditioning. And I loved to wake up to the hypnotic and restful sound of the sea with its white-capped waves lapping lazily onto the shore. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
Though I don't believe that is what heaven will really be like, this vacation spot seemed to be a true paradise. Then what will heaven be like? We can't know completely, but we know its gates are made of pearl and its streets are made of pure gold (Revelation 21:21). There is a beautiful sea in heaven too and it is "A sea of glass like crystal" (Revelation 4:6). Precious stones, like sapphires and emeralds adorn the city walls and there is no need of light because the glory of God and of Jesus Christ illumine it (Revelation 21:19-20). There will be no night there, no tears and no dying, no pain and no sorrow (Revelation 21:4).
But what about entrance into this wonderful place? Will everyone wait in line and be examined to see if he is worthy to gain entrance? What will be the criteria for entrance into heaven?
The criteria for entrance is total righteousness. None of our good works will get us into heaven. "All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment" (Isaiah 64:6). "There is none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10). There is only One who is righteous and His own righteousness is reckoned to us when we repent of our unrighteousness and receive His by faith (Romans 3:21-22). Will you then be granted entrance?
Copyright Daphne Harrington 1999