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Revelation 21:1-5
We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 9:30. I haven’t yet read Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven, but I plan too! Recently one of our deacons shared some thought provoking questions from the book; for example: what do you think we will be doing in heaven? Do you think it will get boring riding around all day on a cloud, playing a harp? Actually we won’t be doing any of that but we will be very active and enjoy it all more than we can now imagine. Is your heart truly excited about going to heaven or do you just say that because it seems to be the “Christian” thing to say? If someone asked you what the Bible says about heaven, what would you say? Consider
- THE BIBLICAL DESIGNATIONS FOR HEAVEN. The term “Kingdom of Heaven” is used only by Matthew. It refers to God ruling throughout the earth. It specifically refers to the Messianic Kingdom that Jesus Christ offered to all people when He cam to earth the first time. Because of the unbelief, hardness of hearts, and ultimately rejecting Him as Messiah, the Kingdom was postponed until He comes back to earth. Have you ever wondered how much of God’s blessing in your life you have postponed because of your unbelief at the time the blessing was offered? Many Christians can attest to the truth that God is always ready to share blessings with those who are ready to receive them. It is our duty as Christians to advertise the Kingdom through our daily lives by practicing its principles. Have you ever considered what a privilege God has given us to be His personally chosen ambassadors for His Kingdom? The term “heavenly places” (Eph. 3:1) is used to teach us that God is now actively sharing the blessings of heaven with His children. Such sharing on God’s part is to help us understand we now have a present association with Christ. In other words we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy a relationship and association with Him, we get to be involved in them now! The general term that represents our eternal dwelling place is “heaven.” We will dwell forever in the very presence of the Eternal Godhead and all the angels. Let’s consider
- THE BIBLICAL DEMANDS TO ENTER HEAVEN! Someone has said heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. That is taught in John 14:3 ; 17:24; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; and 1 Thess. 4:17 to list a few. God tells us that we must (1) be like Christ in His standing before a thrice Holy God or we must be perfectly sinless. Since the second isn’t possible, we must trust the first. Romans 5:12-21 and 8:29-30 Teach us about God’s amazing grace that forgives all our sins. We must also (2) be like Christ in His state. Read 1 Cor. 15:42-58 for further explanation. At the Rapture all Christians will get new physical bodies. They will be glorified, eternal bodies that will never age, be sick, fail, or hurt. Bring it on!! It is a great comfort to think about our eternal home God is preparing for us (John 14:2-4). What a great day of celebration when the trumpet sounds and in the twinkling of an eye we will be “caught up” in the air to meet our Savior to be forever with Him!
If we can help you with your spiritual questions or questions concerning the truth about heaven, call us at (574) 643-9419.
