If you look up 'caterpillar' in an encyclopedia or dictionary, you will find it defined in terms of its future as a butterfly: "A caterpillar is the wormlike, often brightly colored, hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth."

Prior to its metamorphosis into a butterfly, the caterpillar's visual perception may be so limited that it is unlikely that it can recognize the existence of the colorful winged butterfly in flight, much less make the connection with that it has anything to do with its personal future.

Perhaps in the "Encyclopedia of Heaven" the 'human being' is defined as "the pre-transfiguration larvae of children of God in their prepupal terrestrial state."

Like the caterpillar, human beings tend to measure everything on the basis of their 'worm's eye' view and what they can touch, feel and reason with their own understanding. They can be blinded by their daily preoccupations. As creatures captured in the time-space-continuum they have little or no perception of their "eternal future."

How often do we think in terms of our future? When it comes to the afterlife we do not have to be left with 'guesswork' or fanciful theories. The Scriptures give us a more certain word of prophecy that is like a light shining in a dark place (2Peter 1:19). We need to have our understanding enlightened by propositional truths that have been proven to be trustworthy if we intend to get an accurate glimpse of our future. The testimony of Christ risen from the dead invites us to share His victory over the grave: Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do YOU believe this?...I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (John 11:25; Revelation 1:18).

The Apostle Paul reminds us that we shall all be changed. We have a temporary earth-suit, made from the dust of the earth, in the style of our ancestor Adam. But one day we will have put on a new suit, in the style of resurrected and glorified Christ, the man from heaven. (See 1Corinthians 15:47-51). Even now changes can be taking place within us that make us more fit for heaven (2Corinthians 4:16-18).

"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." (1John 3:2-4 NIV).

Why should we think about our future transfiguration into Christ-likeness? Because it purifies us. Why on earth should we think about heaven? Because the heaven in our hearts will spill over to make a difference in the lives of the 'space-time creatures' around us.

We need to be heavenly minded in order to be of any earthly good (see Colossians 3:1-4). Those who are able to think in terms of their eternal future will have foundations solid enough to fully appreciate and enjoy their present moments.