What are you hoping for today? Children may be looking forward to the school holidays. Engaged couples may be looking forward to their wedding. Some of you may be looking forward to an overseas trip. We all seek something. How many of us are seeking heaven?

Let us learn from the Old Testament patriarchs who sought for heaven. Hebrews 11:13-16 teaches us that the patriarchs sought for heaven and that God rewarded them. God similarly rewards people today who respond believingly to the promise of heaven and who seek heaven. The patriarchs were given such promises and they did not waver in their belief in heaven. The patriarchs would enter heaven through the merits of the promised Messiah. See how they responded to the promises given to them.

They believed the promises. They died in faith not having seen the fulfilment of the Messianic promises but they believed in them. We, like them, have promises of heaven. Jesus spoke of the hereafter (John 14:1-4). He has gone into heaven to prepare a place for believers. No faith; no heaven. It is as clear as that. We cannot enter heaven unless we have faith in Jesus - the very one to whom the patriarchs looked.

They spiritually perceived heaven. They saw the fulfilment of the promises from afar off and by faith looked for the coming day of Christ. Heaven lay ahead of them, afar off as it were. With spiritual discernment the saints of old journeyed toward their eternal destination.

I have flown often from Singapore to Auckland and whenever I near Auckland I look for land and then for recognizable landmarks. When from afar off I see these landmarks I know I am near home and I look forward to arriving. So it is with heaven. We perceive heaven from afar off and look forward to arriving.

They were assured of heaven. There was no doubt in their minds that what God promises is true and will be fulfilled. When my mother was sick and near death I often read to her from John 14:1-4 speaking to her of Jesus’ promise that he is preparing a place for his people and that he would come for them. I told her Jesus does not lie. His promises are sure. My mother assented. She was assured she was going to heaven to be with Jesus.

They embraced the promises. You embrace what you love. The Old Testament saints loved the promises of heaven and embraced them. They drew these promises near to their bosoms. The promise of heaven is near to the heart of every believer.

We also, like the patriarchs, ought to embrace the prospect of heaven. But sadly, we tend to embrace the things of this world. We should recall the words of that song we sing: “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” Embrace the way to heaven and not the way of the world.

They were pilgrims. They admitted that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. This world was not their home. In living as pilgrims they testified plainly that they were seeking something this world could not give them. They sought a homeland which was heaven. They had the opportunity to set roots for themselves in this world but they chose instead to be pilgrims. They desired something better than anything this world could offer. They desired a heavenly country - heaven itself.

Having noted how the patriarchs responded to God’s promise of heaven we now see how God responded to them. The Lord God rewarded the patriarchs. He owned them as his own people and he prepared a city for them

God rewards all those who seek heaven. He is not ashamed to be called their Father. What a blessing to be owned by God. He is the Father of all who believe him through his Son Jesus Christ.

God prepares a place in heaven for those who seek heaven. This is what Jesus taught in John 14:1-6. He goes to prepare a place for his people and he will come again for them. There is no greater place than a place in heaven.

This world offers no lasting peace and joy. Here we have stress, suffering, sickness and death. Precious indeed is the promise of the Lord who reveals to us the reality of heaven. In heaven there is no suffering or pain, no sickness or death. Do not be slow to believe in God’s promises. He does not lie. He rewards all those who seek for heaven. Seek him now before it is too late. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ the one who will bring you safely to heaven.