My husband and I recently took a 7-day Princess Cruise Line trip to the Caribbean. The weather was lovely, and the ocean was incredible. But what struck me the most was how many similarities there were between the cruise experience and the heavenly experience.
Cruise Ship Captain – Jesus My Captain
On a cruise ship, a soft, three-tone chime announces the captain before he speaks on the intercom, VIP’s can dine with him, and guests are given a chance to be near him during the Champaign Glass Tower Ceremony.
I don’t know if there will be a soft chime announcing our Lord and Savior’s voice in heaven, but I do know that we will all be VIP’s and dine with Him at the marriage supper of the Lamb. And I’m guessing there won’t be a Champaign Glass Tower in heaven, but I know there will be throngs of worshippers around the sea of glass that surrounds the throne of God.
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
“And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19:9)
“And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.” (Revelation 4:6)
On the ship, the Champaign Glass Tower Ceremony is a gala event and is held in the gold and glass balconied atrium. An electrifying aura of excitement hangs in the air before the captain’s arrival as guests press should-to-shoulder along the balcony rails in hopes of getting a glimpse of him.
Crowd control in heaven will no doubt be managed differently, but I am pretty confident that our Lord and Savior has heaven designed in such a way that nobody will have to jostle or push to be near Him. Somehow, He will supernaturally orchestrate it so that each of us feels as if we have His full, undivided attention.
Formal Gown- Bridal Garment
The Champaign Glass Ceremony is held on the first of two formal nights on the ship so each guest is dressed to the hilt. Some are in tuxedos. Others in long, fancy gowns. Each guest has taken great care in whatever garments they are wearing, and many subconsciously straighten their hair or smooth unseen wrinkles on their gowns as they wait expectantly for the captain to arrive.
The Holy Bible teaches that in heaven we as the bride of Christ will be given a garment to wear that was prepared as we were living life on earth. If we make it to heaven, we can assume that our garment will be acceptable. However, I do wonder if some people’s garments will be brighter or more elaborate than others because of what they endured or accomplished for Christ’s sake while on earth.
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8)
Our Response
When we get to heaven and it’s our turn to approach the throne of God, will we subconsciously straighten our hair and our garments, as my fellow cruise passengers did ? Will we be nervous with anxious anticipation? Or will we just want to be near Him?
I don’t think we really know what we will do as the song by Mercy Me, called I Can Only Imagine so aptly illustrates.
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for your Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
Wow!!! I am completely shocked at how big of a deal it was for everyone to meet the captain! For sure when you step on that ship you are putting trust in the captain, but it seems so glorified to me.
Yes, absolutely Stefania! I think that’s why it made me think about how it will be in heaven… Oh that men would learn to glorify God to such a degree on earth as they do the different celebrities they follow…