Why Do You Want to Go to Heaven?

I've been reading a lot of John Piper's stuff lately and it is so profound and amazing.  I want to share a few thoughts from his book, God is the Gospel. 

In this book, he challenges the notion that salvation is just about getting forgiveness, going to heaven, and obtaining a life purpose.  The essence of the Gospel is God Himself as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:4-6:  "... this message [the Good News] is about the glory of Christ ... God ... has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ."  Consider the following thoughts:

• The good news is not just about getting forgiveness.  "Forgiveness is good news because it opens the way to enjoy God Himself."


• Being made right with God (given the righteousness of Jesus) "is good news because it wins us access to the presence and pleasures of God Himself."


• Going to heaven is good news because it allows for the unending "enjoyment of Christ" without distraction.

How does this differ from your understanding of the Gospel? Why do we really want to go to heaven?  Did Christ die just to pay our sin debt, provide forgiveness of sins, and satisfy the wrath of God? Or are each of those things a prerequisite for us to get God Himself?  (See I Peter 3:18 -- "Christ died for sins ... to bring you to God  ...)