Why There Will Be No Meat In Heaven

Now, from the very beginning, please understand that I love meat. I enjoy the taste, tenderness, texture, and juiciness...especially of an all-American cheeseburger. I would say that most of us even look forward with great anticipation to specific holidays where certain meals and meats are provided. Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas for example.

In fact, I believe that the Jewish people very much looked forward to celebrating the Passover each year. As Christmas is a holiday where we remember Christ's birth, Passover is a Jewish holiday when they remember God rescuing them from the nation of Egypt. This is a time when the Jewish family comes together and serves lamb as the main course.

The 1900's was a revolutionary time for mankind. It was actually the very first century out of all of human history where meat became the main course for almost every meal. Before grocery stores, refrigerators, and the mass production of animals many people did not have enough money to purchase meat nor could they afford to kill off some of their own livestock.

However, now it seems that with the growth and expansion of technology, you and I can drive two miles down the road and pick up as much beef, chicken and pork as we want. We live in a world now where everything is pre-cut and pre-packaged into a cute little tray covered in saran wrap.

And while we may look forward at times to having our next meal with an 8oz steak plopped right onto our plate, there is coming a day when you and I will be eternally satisfied with not eating meat at all.

You see, the convenience of everything in today's world prevents us from seeing what meat represents. It signifies death and often we forget that. Yes, God allows us to eat meat, but driving through a McDonald's drive-thru at least once a week has the power to desensitize us from what is really going on.

It is the gruesome reality of death which I miss when I stand in line to order a McDouble for a $1.49. The cost of that meal was not just what I had to pull out of my wallet, but the true price that was paid was the life of the animal. A hundred years ago if you wanted meat, then you would likely be responsible for killing it yourself. This would cause you to gain another small glimpse at what your sin has caused.

When you and I stand before the Lord and see Him face to face, the guarantee of Scripture is that our eyes will be opened and we will see in greater depth the realities of life and death, holiness and sin, righteousness and judgment, and ultimately the price that was paid for you and I on the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we get to heaven we will see that everything there has true life flowing through it. The flowers, stars, animals, rocks and even we will be forever filled and indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God. Death is a result of sin and heaven is the place where you and I will finally and forever be freed from the presence of sin and death. Nothing will die nor be destroyed, but everything will experience life forevermore!

No more sin means no more death. No more death, yes, means no more meat, but it also exemplifies the glory of Christ's victory over the grave. And with heaven's perspective in view, we will not only be satisfied with not eating meat, but grateful. There will never come a day when we ask for bacon bits on our salad. Seeing Christ will drive our eternal passion to keep life sacred and appreciate it as one of God's greatest gifts ever given!