Why did God make Heaven?

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Revelation 21:18-23

I have heard the question many times. Those asking always seem to think its original with them. They think the question will stop you dead in your tracks if you believe in God. Sometimes, it does for some.

"How could a loving God create a place like Hell and then send people there forever?" We try to explain that God created Hell for the devil and his angels. (Matt. 25;14) That God is not willing that any should perish, and desires all to be saved. (2 Peter 3;9)

But, if I may be so bold, I think this is the wrong question. My question is, why did a holy and righteous God make a place like Heaven, and then pay such a horrific price to get wretched sinners like me in? That is the real question.

I stand at the gates of Heaven, a vile sinner; my own righteousness, filthy rags in comparison to His Holiness. What price could I possibly pay? What merit could I even begin to proffer? What hope have I to enter such a place?

Oh, the Love that drew salvation's plan,
Oh, the Grace that brought it down to man,
Oh! the mighty gulf that God did span!
At Calvary!

Mercy there was great and grace was free.
Pardon there was multiplied to me.
There, my burdened soul found liberty;
At Calvary.

Several years ago I heard a news cast on Channel 8 News in Kansas City, Missouri. Sports caster, Karen Kornachi, during an evening broadcast, reported with a broken voice and tears in her eyes, that famed Kansas City Royals pitcher, Dan Quizenberry had been diagnosed as having terminal brain cancer. She later interviewed Quizenberry and asked him if he ever asked, "Why me?" His answer was astounding.

"Why me Karen? why not me? I have had a wonderful life. God has been very good to me. I have lived a blessed life. I lived to pitch the winning game of the World Series. I have lived what others only dream of."

Why me? Why not me?

Revelation 21:8 tells of those in that day who will be turned into Hell:

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,
shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death.

I am sure on that day, if these masses were allowed to look on Heaven's population, they would doubtless cry out in anger. Because they would see there too, a throng of once fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters and liars. They would doubtless cry, "Its not fair! I knew some of those people! They were not better than me!"

There is no way the throng of Heaven could defend against such accusations. They would see there, David, the murdering adulterer. They would see Rahab the harlot. They would look on the face of Paul the religious zealot that reeked havoc on innocent Christians. They would see me; a vile wretched wicked sinner. They would see us all. The accused of that day could have not answer, but to lift up their voices in humble chorus, and sing the ancient hymn written by a one, once drunken slave trader:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found.
Twas blind, but now I see.

There will be seen, the thief and traitor, who waisted his life in sin. Who, in the agony of death looked into the face of Jesus Christ and saw holiness.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God,
seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly;
for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luke 23;40-42

No scholar ever wrote a thesis on soteriology that more clearly stated the great truth of salvation. He opened his mouth a dying hell-bound sinner, and with one simple statement became a born again child of God. Though he died in agony, he awoke in Paradise.

The dying thief rejoiced to see,
That Fountain in his day.
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my guilt away.

We often say we understand God's plan of salvation, and He made that possible. But, though we understand, I do not think we comprehend. I am sure of Heaven. I just cannot comprehend it. I am sure of my redemption. I just cannot fathom it. We do not think about Heaven enough. We do not talk of Heaven often enough. We do not desire it as much as we should.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also
we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Philippians 3;20

Just a thought. Thank you for reading.