We desperately want to know that there is someone who has crossed over to the other side who knows us and can identify with our situation. We want to know that there is someone in eternity who is looking out for us, who loves us and cares for us and has our best interests at heart. We want to have the confidence before God Almighty that comes from that person’s good standing and the knowledge that they are putting in a good word for us.

The anger and questioning grief produces can confirm for us – in a way that nothing else can – that something is desperately wrong with this world. But, what – and more importantly, why?

Try to imagine this Earth remade but without the curse of sin – no sickness, no natural disasters, no death - and without the temptation to or practice of sin – no hatred, or violence, or war, or stealing or lying or perversion of God’s design - and you’re on your way to understanding a lot of what Heaven will be like. In fact, the Heaven that Jesus went to prepare is literally "heaven on earth."