There are many aspects of Heaven that need to be clarified. The enemy is employing all his power to deceive us concerning heaven and what it will really be like. Additionally, the Lord himself declares that a sign of end-times is that false prophets will rise.*1 The message found in Revelation 18 also emphasizes that in the last days the deception of spiritualism will increase to the point that if possible even the elect will be deceived.*2The servant of the Lord in her vision saw what appeared to be most of the world in a train whose conductor was Satan.*3 Through false doctrines, including ones about heaven, the enemy has the world under his dominion.
It is important to highlight that the Lord has not revealed all the details of how heaven will be. In actuality the Lord has revealed just enough so that we may desire with every ounce of strength to be there.
There are many reasons why God chose to reveal so little about heaven. First, as sinful beings our mental faculties are severely limited.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. *4
Even when we are clothed with immortality and perfection it will take all eternity to study and learn the great mysteries of God.*5
Not in vain the Scriptures tell us,
…Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. *6
Personally this verse excites me because Jesus has things prepared in heaven that not even the most creative mind can imagine. But what we can be certain of is that heaven is a place of incomparable happiness and love. On Saturdays we will analyze an aspect of heaven which the Lord has revealed with the objective of making heaven a place as real as this world is for us.
Keep in mind two points highlighted by the Spirit of Prophecy which we must balance on a scale when considering the topic of heaven. On the one hand we cannot speculate on things that God in his wisdom has not revealed to us. On the other hand, it is necessary to see heaven as a place so real that our greatest desire is to be there now. The enemy has done his best to turn heaven into a place where spirits are floating on top of clouds. But heaven is a place with many similarities to what we know here on earth such as our bodies, our homes, our labor and our food which will really prove to be "Eden restored," "new heaven and new earth"! We see this in the resurrection of Jesus himself.
Keep in mind two points highlighted by the Spirit of Prophecy which we must balance on a scale when considering the topic of heaven. On the one hand we cannot speculate on things that God in his wisdom has not revealed to us. On the other hand, it is necessary to see heaven as a place so real that our greatest desire is to be there now. The enemy has done his best to turn heaven into a place where spirits are floating on top of clouds. But heaven is a place with many similarities to what we know here on earth such as our bodies, our homes, our labor and our food which will really prove to be "Eden restored," "new heaven and new earth"! We see this in the resurrection of Jesus himself.
Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence…And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.*7
A fear of making the future inheritance seem too material has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead us to look upon it as our home. Christ assured His disciples that He went to prepare mansions for them in the Father's house. Those who accept the teachings of God's word will not be wholly ignorant concerning the heavenly abode. *8Everything in heaven will be perfect but just as Jesus rose and ascended to heaven in a new flesh and bone body, our bodies will be transformed as well. Now clothed with immortality we will inherit the earth restored to what it once was but at the same time much better than ever imagined!
JESUS IS COMING!
1 * Matthew 24:
2 * Matthew 24:
3 * Early Writings, pg. 42, Elena G. White
4 * 1 Corinthians 13:12
5 * John 17:3
6* 2 Corinthians 2:9
7 * Luke 24:36-43, 50, 51
8 * The Great Controversy, "The Controversy Ended", Ellen White.
2 comments:
According to the Bible, the Kingdom of God will be established on earth with the second coming of Christ. As I point out in my book, Christ and the saints will rule on the earth until the New Jeresalem comes down from God in heaven. At that time, God's throne will be on earth and this earth will be the headquarters of the universe.
And until Christ returns, the saints who have died are asleep in the grave.
There are three meanings to the word "heaven" in the Bible. It can mean the atmosphere of the earth, it can mean outer space with the planets, stars, and galaxies, or it can mean the heaven that is God's throne. Man has flown in the atmosphere and has gone into outer space, but at no time will we be in the heaven that is God's throne.
Everyone who wants to seek God must chose to believe what God says in the Bible or their own traditions, their church, or their opinions. But if we are to be true Christians, we have to believe what God says in the Bible.
There are three levels of heaven but the Bible tells us that we will be in Gods’ throne. As I have posted on PART TWO of this topic, during the period of 1,000 years we will rule with God in heaven.
Revelation 20 speaks of 2 resurrections. The first when Jesus returns and we are all caught up with him and the second after the period of 1,000 years. Blessed are those who take part of the first resurrection for eternal death has no power over them, they will rule with Jesus for all eternity.
The bottom-less pit to which Satan is bound with that great chain is earth during those 1,000 years.
Genesis 1:2, Jeremiah 4:23-26
This will be the condition of earth after the second coming and after both the just alive and dead who have risen and are caught up on in the clouds, ascend to heaven just like Jesus ascended to the father after his resurrection.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even SO GOD WILL BRING WITH HIM THOSE WHO SLEEP IN JESUS. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN UNTIL THE COMING OF THE LORD WILL BY NO MEANS PRECEDE THOSE WHO ARE ASLEEP. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST. THEN WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Christ’s second coming will be to take us to God’s throne. That is the reason why we are caught up in the clouds, not to quickly return to this desolate earth again, but because God is receiving them through Christ up in his throne!
In revelation 21, after the millennium ends does the apostle John see the great Jerusalem descend which is when Satan is released and the wicked are resurrected and that is because we have all participated in God’s judgment of the wicked and they will now receive their eternal punishment which will be eternal death. Revelation 20
After the total destruction of sin, Satan and the wicked is when we finally inherit the earth.
This is a very extensive topic. The Bible is filled with great truths and we must continue to study the Bible in its entirety. This will prepare us to receive Jesus.
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30, 31
Oh what blessed hop we have for in that great day, those who are alive will not precede those who are asleep.
…We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”“ O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:51-56
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