J.C. Ryle: To be Without Christ is to be Without Heaven

In recent years there has been a fascination with heaven.  More specifically, books (and soon after movies of those books) have captured the imagination of believers and unbelievers alike.  In discussions of these books and movies the question usually arises, "Is this a true story?"  How can we know if this story on heaven is trustworthy?  One basic test is to ask the question, "What is the center of heaven in the story?"  In looking at Scripture, Christ is the central and ever present figure of heaven.  If Christ is not at heaven's center then it is more than likely a false story, no matter how sincere the storyteller.  The words of J.C. Ryle below speak a divine truth: a heaven without Christ is not the heaven of the Bible.

"To be 'without Christ' is to be without heaven.  In saying thing I do not merely mean that there is no entrance into heaven, but that 'without Christ' there could be no happiness in being there.  A man without a Savior and Redeemer could never feel at home in heaven.  He would feel that he had no lawful right or title to be there; boldness and confidence and ease of heart would be impossible.  Amid pure and holy angels, under the eyes of a pure and holy God, he could not hold up his head; he would feel confounded and ashamed.  It is the very essence of all true views of heaven that Christ is there.

"Who are you that dreams of a heaven in which Christ has no place?  Awake to know your folly.  Know that in every description of heaven which the Bible contains, the presence of Christ is one essential feature.  'In the midst of the throne,' says St. John, 'stood a Lamb as it had been slain.'  The very throne of heaven is called the 'throne of God and of the Lamb.'  'The Lamb is the light of heaven, and the temple of it.'  The saints who dwell in heaven are to be 'fed by the Lamb,' and 'led to living fountains of waters.'  The meeting of the saints in heaven is called 'the marriage supper of the Lamb' (Rev. 5:6; 22:3; 21:22, 23; 7:17; 19:9).  A heaven 'without Christ' would not be the heaven of the Bible.  To be 'without Christ' is to be without heaven" (J.C. Ryle, Holiness).