When the early Christians envisioned what heaven would be like, they saw people who, in God’s presence, were no longer poor, hungry, sick, or excluded. God’s kingdom was where justice reigned. Like us they struggled with how to establish justice in this broken, sin filled, and unjust world. They determined that their communities would be places of justice. Wealthier Christians sold their possessions so that poorer Christians could have enough to live. Food was purchased so that no one went hungry. The sick were cared for and not left to die, and everyone who identified themselves as a follower of Jesus Christ was included in the community—master/slave, male/female, Jew/Gentile.

Those early Christians did not allow their struggle for justice to be contained in their faith communities. They traveled the world caring for the sick and needy, standing for the rights of the afflicted and the inclusion of those who were marginalized. Caring on the ministry of Jesus Christ, the church has a long history of seeking to enable others to experience heaven on earth. In doing so, Christians have experienced heaven on earth themselves.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

We should experience heaven on earth in worship and fellowship—in the community we call the church. Acts 2:42-47