I was in kindergarten when I lived in Aberdeen, South Dkota, with my mother, father, and older brother. All kindergarteners were required to bring a rug to school so we could take a mandatory rest after lunch. We were not allowed to make any noise or get off our rugs or we would be scolded if we did. I learned very quickly that if I got scolded in school, the punishment at home would be worse. I learned obedience long before I knew there was even such a word. But there is another rest that is not mandatory, but something to be highly sought after, and that is called God’s Rest.
God’s Rest. Why is it significant, and what does it mean for us?
The concept of “God’s Rest” is particularly prominent in the Book of Hebrews and describes heaven as a state of eternal peace and serenity for believers. It parallels God’s rest after creating the cosmos and all that it contains – both seen and unseen. God did not rest on the 7th day of creation because He was weary or exhausted (Genesis 17:1). He rested because that signified the end of His work of creation. Creation was perfect. Finished. Complete. Nothing more was needed, therefore, God stopped creating.
God’s rest for believers in heaven signifies a state of perfect peace, the completion of life on earth – from the work and all the imperfections of the earthly realm, the struggles, the pain, the heartache, the grief. It signals final and complete fulfillment in God’s presence. Forever.
This does not mean an end to all activity, however. Rather it is a state of believers reigning with Jesus as King over all the new creation free from the curse of sin and its consequences. God’s rest means experiencing the joy of God’s favor. It is a place where God’s work of creation and man’s redemption is complete and perfect.
Believers will experience a profound sense of peace, freedom from guilt and worry, fear and anxiety, pain and tears. God’s rest cannot be bought or earned through good works. Rather, it is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. It is recognizing God’s grace in all its splendor.
Hebrews 4:9-11 speaks of a Sabbath rest that remains for God’s people implying a future state of eternal rest in God’s presence. God is mighty in power. He never tires and never needs to rest or sleep (Isaiah 40:28).
The Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land of Canaan is used as a metaphor for the Christian journey from sin to salvation. The author of Hebrews connects the spiritual rest to faith in Jesus Christ meaning that entering God’s rest is about trusting in Jesus and living in obedience to Him while on earth.
You’ve heard it said, “Why waste time sleeping? We’ve got all eternity to sleep!” Nothing could be further from the truth. God’s Rest is anything but sleeping. No, it is rest for the soul. It is significant because it means joyful activity in the very presence of our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. And the good thing is that we do not need to bring a rug!
Life is interrupted by death, and death is interrupted by life, and this life is unbroken by eternity.