Heaven is a theme that fills the heart with hope and longing. Ellen White beautifully describes heaven not just as a future dwelling, but as something that can begin in our lives here on earth. She states, "Heaven is to begin on this earth. When the Lord's people are filled with meekness and tenderness, they will realize that His banner over them is love, and His fruit will be sweet to their taste. They will make a heaven below in which to prepare for heaven above" (7T 131.4). This perspective invites us to cultivate a heavenly atmosphere in our daily lives, preparing us for the "bright world to come." Heaven is a place of perfect order and harmony, a "pure and holy place, where none can enter unless they are refined, spiritualized, cleansed, and purified" (CE 109.2). It is a place where "holiness reigns supreme; there is nothing to mar the perfect harmony with God" (5T 745.2). Our longing for heaven is a natural response to the promise of being with our Savior. "Heaven is a good place. I long to be there, and behold my lovely Jesus, who gave his life for me, and be changed into his glorious image" (ExV 22.1). As we walk with Jesus now, we can experience a foretaste of that eternal joy. "As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ" (DA 331.3). Let us therefore "get in the habit of talking of heaven, beautiful heaven. Talk of that life which will continue as long as God shall live, and then you will forget your little trials and difficulties" (HS 146.4). Heaven is worth everything, and we are called to live lives of watchfulness and prayer, striving for the purity that will allow us to enter that glorious city as conquerors.