No vacant seats in Heaven

Our hearts are filled with sorrow,
When Jesus comes to claim his own. 
A seat is then left vacant,
Yes, vacant in our earthly home.
No vacant seats in Heaven,
No vacant seats around God’s Throne, 
Up there ‘tis joy and gladness,
Oh, glory land sweet heavenly Home.
Mrs. J. B. Edwards
Harp of Ages, No. 74

Jesus promised that He would go to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3). That place is reserved in heaven (I Peter 1:4). Because He has a place reserved for his people, there will be no vacant seats in Heaven. This often referred to as the eternal security of the believer. A true believer can never fall and be cast away from the presence of God. By God’s grace the believer’s home in heaven is secure!

Security is based on God’s work – not man’s works. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. The character of God, the plan of the Father, the work of the Son, and the presence of the Spirit all guarantee our soul is safe in God.

The power of God is infinite. Therefore He is ABLE to keep us (II Tim. 1:12). He can do what He says He will do (Rom. 4:21; I Pet. 1:5). To believe that a believer can be pulled out of the all-powerful grasp of God (John 10:29) is to perceive that Satan is more powerful than God (I John 4:4). God’s power means that once He saves, we are always saved because He is ABLE TO SAVE AND TO KEEP!

The love of God is unlimited. God loved us enough to give His Son to die for us while we were yet sinners – at enmity with God. Certainly He loves His children much more – enough that He will not cast them away when they sin (Rom. 5:7-10). Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39).

The sovereign purpose of God is to save all who believe (John 3:16). If you could fall from grace after you believe, you would not be saved. Therefore, if you could believe and yet be finally lost, the sovereign purpose of God would be frustrated (Phil. 2:13).

Jesus Christ died instead of us (I John 2:2; Heb. 2:9). There can be no condemnation to one who is in Christ by faith (Rom. 8:1). To believe in apostasy is to believe that the death of Jesus is not sufficient to cover ALL our sins. But His blood cleanses us from ALL sin (I John 1:7). He made a one time substitutionary sacrifice which is sufficient and eternal – it will never have to be repeated (Heb. 10:11-12).

Not only did Christ DIE for us, but He ever LIVES to intercede for us (Heb 7:25). Hence, He is able to save completely. Who can condemn you, when He who died for you is at God’s right hand to intercede for you (Rom. 8:34). The Father’s acceptance of His Son assures us that He will hear His intercession. He is well-pleased with Him (Matt. 17:5).

When we are saved, we are born of God (John 1:13; 3:6). God is our Father and we are His children by birth – a fact that can never be erased! His seed is in His people (I John 3:9) and remains implanted. The new birth is based on Jesus’s righteousness imputed to our account – not how much righteousness we have or can maintain (which is none). His righteousness will not diminish.

Believers are indwelt by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:9,16) and sealed by the Spirit as belonging to God (Eph. 1:13-14). The Spirit is given as the earnest of our inheritance – the guarantee that we will receive what God has promised! If the promise could be broken, God would have to let us keep His Holy Spirit – the fallen believer would take the earnest (Spirit) to Hell with him. Unthinkable! This could not be. He certainly can NEVER lose our soul!

God is immutable or unchanging. This is the ultimate guarantee of our salvation. If He were changeable, we would be destroyed (Malachi 3:6). We do not have to worry about our salvation because God is always the same. He will not lose His power. He will not stop loving us. His sovereign purpose will not change. Jesus’s blood will always be sufficient. He will always intercede in our behalf. God will not take back His Holy Spirit from us. We will always be His children (Heb. 13:8; Jas. 1:17). When God does something, He does it to last and no one can change that (Eccl. 3:14)! Be assured – there will be NO VACANT SEATS IN HEAVEN!!

(First published in The Baptist Waymark, Vol. I, No. 5, October 1986)