HEAVEN:
LACK OF INTEREST IN; AFFLUENCE; SECOND COMING: LACK OF INTEREST IN

In the United States and Canada the middle class today possesses more earthly goods and lives in greater luxury than emperors and maharajas did a short century ago. And since the bulk of Christians comes from this class it is not difficult to see why the apocalyptic hope has all but disappeared from among us. It is hard to focus attention upon a better world to come when a more comfortable one than this can hardly be imagined. The best we can do is to look for heaven after we have reveled for a lifetime in the luxuries of a fabulously generous earth. As long as science can make us so cozy in this present world it is hard to work up much pleasurable anticipation of a new world order.

Matthew 19:24; Mark 8:36–37; Luke 12:19–21

Man: The Dwelling Place of God, 173.