WISE - Heaven

Partake - Words in Scripture Explored - Heaven

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What is heaven like? People, both believers and non-believers have an opinion about Heaven! To some its where everybody will meet up after death providing they weren't too bad in this earthly life! The caricature of the comedians is that heaven will be floating around on clouds and playing a harp! So what does the Bible, the foundation for all serious Christian thought, have to say about heaven?

Physical Place: The first thing to say is that Heaven is a physical place! The Bible describes Heaven as a House (John 14v2); a Kingdom (Matthew 25v34); Paradise (2 Corinthians 12v2-4); Holy City (Revelation 21v2)!. These are all descriptions of Heaven's physical properties!

Characteristics: Now, look & listen at all these characteristics the Bible offers about heaven!
Joy (Luke 15v7-10); Rest (Revelation 14v13); Peace (Luke 16v19-25); Righteousness (2 Peter 3v12); Service (Revelation 7v15); Reward (Matthew 5v11-12); Inheritance (1 Peter 1v4); Glory (Romans 8v17-18). No sitting around on clouds there - for instance: service implies working!

Who is it for and who can enter?: Who is it prepared for and who can enter Heaven? It is for all those recorded in the Book of Life (Malachi 3v16-18; Philippians 4v3); the Righteous (Matthew 5v20); the obedient (Revelation 22v14) and those who are declared holy (Revelation 19v8). People enter heaven through giant gates of pearl (Revelation 21v21). A pearl is formed as an oyster suffers, covering a grain of irritating sand, until the irritation ceases. Now what do you think the suffering was that created these giant pearls that are the gates? It can only be the cross and the incredible suffering and pain that Jesus endured upon it. It is only through the death of Jesus on the cross that you can be declared holy and righteous! Only those who have been declared holy will be able to stand in the presence of Almighty God!

Christian Attitude: As a Christian Disciple, your current attitude towards heaven should be to desire (2 Corinthians 5v2-8), eagerly keep watch for (2 Peter 3v12) and to put your treasure there (Luke 12v32)!

We also see from the Bible that Heaven is prepared, and a pure place!

Prepared: Jesus promised us "I am going to build a place for you" (John 14v1-4). Jesus has been working on heaven for almost 2000 years!! Jesus has prepared a place for those who love Him, trust Him and obey Him as King. He is expecting us, wanting to lavish His love upon us.

Pure: Heaven is also a pure place (Revelation 21v1-4). Today we all suffer in some way. When our King returns, no more will man's inhumanity to man be allowed. No more pain. No more death. No more suffering. No more sin. Perfection attained and it is to the glory of an Almighty and merciful God, that this will occur.

What does this mean now?: All this doesn't mean you are not to be so heavenly minded, that you are of no earthly use. Rather, you are not to be so earth bound, that you are not tied to Jesus in your eternal home - heaven! Won't you tell somebody today, about heaven and how they can get there with you?

Right mouse click to save this Podcast as a MP3.

If you find these resources helpful to you, please do prayerfully consider making a donation. You can support via PayPal, the universal and most secure way to donate money online. You do not need to be a member of Paypal to use their facilities. It does cost me money to produce these resources, mainly the storage facility and the bandwidth. I have very little other means of support. Thank you