Nature Abhors a Vacuum!

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines vacuum as “a space entirely devoid of matter.”  The phrase “in a vacuum” is further defined as “isolated from the context  normal to it and in which it can best be understood or assessed.

Nature abhors a vacuum.  Any sealed container from which all air has been evacuated is immediately filled with air, water, or anything else surrounding the opening as soon as the seal is broken.

Now granted I am simplifying the science involved quite a bit.  There are considerations such as pressure gradients, etc. which influence the velocity at which the vacuum is filled.  But my point is not to demonstrate my knowledge of science.  The science is here simply to illustrate a greater point.

Just has nature as a whole hates a vacuum, so does human nature.  And in today’s society, our “space” is rapidly becoming “devoid” of truth.  And in the absence of truth, it is our nature to fill the space left void with anything that surrounds us.

During the past few months I have become increasingly distressed by the lack of Biblical teaching concerning Heaven.  I know the truth exists.  The Bible does contain teachings on and even visions of Heaven and Heavenly beings.  But the truths of Heaven are not being taught.

I am currently reading Heaven by Randy Alcorn.  I have not finished as of this publishing, so I will refrain from an examination of the book itself.  But one thing strikes me as interesting and odd.  Alcorn states in the opening paragraphs of his Preface, “The truth is, in our seminaries, churches, and families; we have given amazingly little attention to the place where we will live forever with Christ and his people…”

Really?  As Christians, we tell the world (or we should be telling the world) that Jesus is the goal and Heaven is where we will spend eternity with Him.  But little attention is actually given to this place where we desire (or should desire) to spend the majority of our existence.

As I stated at the start, we hate a vacuum.  So if the institutions which one might assume are charged with teaching us eternal truths are not doing so in regard to Heaven; maybe that explains why so much “extra-Biblical” literature exists on the subject!

Now, I realize I am treading in dangerous territory; but as I said, I am concerned.  I am concerned that we are allowing misconceptions, half-truths, and some outright lies to permeate our understanding of Heaven.  And this is happening because we either can’t or won’t fill a need with Biblical truth.

And with all truth, the truth about Heaven needs to be taught early and often; so the Truth can be used to judge all of the misinformation with which we will be bombarded during times when we can least discern Truth from fiction.

No time is more filled with fictions than the passing of a loved one.  And this gets multiplied if the loved one is a child.  In the nearly fifteen months since our son Gabriel’s home-going how often have we heard:  “Gabriel is an angel in Heaven.” “Gabriel is smiling down on you know.” “I’m sure Gabriel is with you in spirit.”

And these are from individuals who are professing Christians.  Because of time and space, I won’t even go into all of the “spirituality” we have heard from individuals who don’t profess Christ.

In the months following Gabriel’s passing, I read quite a few books about “out of body” experiences with Heaven.  I found quite a bit of comfort from them.  But I am also concerned that most lack scriptural backing.  Paul says it best in Galations, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” (1:6-8 ESV)

But, as I said we hate a vacuum.  So if we are not getting taught the Biblical truths about Heaven in our seminaries, churches, and families; in our greatest time of need we are going to turn to anyone who is providing something to fill the void.

I challenge us all!  Heaven is a place of unparalleled beauty!  Our loved ones who have died as believers in Christ are there!  And most importantly, our Savior—Jesus is there!  How is it that we don’t speak more Truth about the real place we call home?

Glen