The No Mores of Heaven
“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain
for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
What typically comes to your mind when you consider heaven? Most of us immediately think of streets of gold, pearly gates, reuniting with loved ones, and hopefully a “Well done, good and faithful servant” greeting from Jesus.
In a recent Sunday School lesson Pastor Benny Parks encouraged us to remember the No Mores of Heaven. In heaven there will be:
No more sin, evil, or death;
No more pain, sickness or suffering;
No more fears, tears, sorrow, sadness or grief
No more imperfect relationships; and
No more poverty, discontentment, covetousness, or sinful longings.
God knew how much I needed those words before I did. Our church community was rocked last week by another devastating suicide. Nobody saw it coming. “Sue”* was a woman I knew for over three decades. She was always smiling and always up for an adventure. She was an educator for thirty years, running our county school system’s “Boot Camp,” a school for the toughest of tough teenagers. Sue loved connecting with those difficult kids. When asked the “Why?” behind her teaching tough, troubled teenagers, Sue would always respond with, “I get to show them the love of Jesus!” Her classroom was her mission field.
I was 9 years old when I first heard the word "suicide." The word was spoken in hushed tones as the moms in our neighborhood discussed the recent death of a classmate's mom. For most of us, suicide still evokes hushed tones, shock, unanswered questions, and stigma. Suicide is now, however, the tenth leading cause of death among all people in the United States accounting for 49,000 deaths in 2024. Suicide rates are the highest among teenagers and the elderly. It's a reasonable bet that if you don't already know someone affected by suicide, you will.
In 2019 another beloved church member unexpectedly took his own life. The late Dr. Harry Reeder led our friend’s memorial service and tackled head-on a series of hard questions regarding the issue of suicide. Using Romans 7:14-20 as his text, Dr. Reeder provided some much-needed biblical clarity and comfort on suicide. I won't attempt to recap all his remarks, but I do want to highlight his framework for some questions that all of us probably have had at one time or another.
Is taking one's own life a sin? Yes, very clearly the sixth commandment says, 'you shall not murder' and that includes taking our own life.
Is it the unpardonable sin? No, the unpardonable sin as given to us by Jesus occurs when the Holy Spirit is working on us, calling us to Christ, and we say 'No' to him. The reason suicide is not the unpardonable sin is because we are saved not by how well we do, but what Jesus did perfectly for us on the cross.
Even though our sins can be forgiven, there may be lasting consequences that cannot be walked back. Suicide is certainly included in this category.
Dr. Reeder closed his remarks regarding our friend's life and death with not only pastoral, but also personal, reflections on his friendship with Joe.
“… I have no doubt where Joe* is, not because he lived a perfect life or that he was a sinner saved by grace. I know where he is because he knows Jesus and Jesus knows him. Eternity is secure because of Jesus, not because of us."
Later our pastoral care minister shared some important Grief Share principles with our grieving Sunday School community.
Suicide is relatively rare, but when it occurs it is often traumatic for family members and friends. They will experience difficulties that caregivers need to remember.
Anger will be challenging. They need our patience.
Shame will be present. They need our presence.
“Why?” will be a common question. They need our peace.
One of the best “no mores” of heaven will be no more night (Revelation 21:23). In 2001 singer David Phelps wrote a song entitled No More Night. I love the chorus and close today’s post with Phelps’ words:
No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great I AM
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb!
Praise God for the gift of salvation and the No Mores of Heaven!
*names changed