Foundations For Christian Maturity

The Reality of Heaven

A very common question that has risen in mankind from generation to generation is, “What happens to someone after death?" Many people have had so called death experiences and have come back to life and told of their experiences. Philosophers and religious leaders have offered countless opinions on the subject as well. The ideas have ranged from reincarnation to simply ceasing to exist at all.

The Bible has a lot to say concerning life after death and what happens to the soul. Jesus spoke a great deal about this subject and declared that He Himself had come down from heaven and that after His death He would go there to prepare a place for those who would follow Him. In John 3:13 and John 14:2, Jesus also spoke a great deal about a second place that had been prepared for the Devil and his followers (Matthew 25:41).

In this lesson and the next one I want to try and paint a picture for us on what the Bible has to say concerning the reality of both Heaven and Hell. God has provided clear answers regarding life after death. In this message we will be looking at the reality of Heaven and then next week we will look at the reality of Hell.

    II. WHAT IS HEAVEN?

Heaven is a term in the Bible which describes three different spheres of existence. The word "heaven" sometimes refers to the atmosphere surrounding the earth. Other times it refers to outer space where the other planets are. Lastly, Heaven is the dwelling place of God and the elect angels. It is the everlasting home of the redeemed of all mankind. This is the Heaven we will be looking at in this message. It is the place where those who are not destined for Hell will live after death. In the New Testament it is clearly described as an actual place, and not a state of mind or being.

1. Terms Used To Describe Heaven. Jn.14:2. Heb.11:16 Rev.14:13,2 Cor. 12:4 Lk 13:29  

The term "kingdom of God" represents the here and the now as well as the eternal domain.  In fact most references concerning the kingdom of God refer to the here and the now. The truth is that we must enter into the kingdom of God now if we want to be a part of it in the eternal.

It is here in Heaven that the believer in Christ is promised "the tree of life", not to be hurt of the second death, a stone with a new name in it, authority with Christ, a white garment and his name in the Book of Life; security in the City of God, and ruling and reigning in the Throne of God and the Lamb.

    III. THE REALITY OF LIFE AFTER DEATH.

The Bible teaches that life continues after the physical death of the body. God created man with a natural, temporal body and an eternal soul. The soul of man consists of who we really are.  It is the center of our mind, will and emotions. The Bible teaches that life is eternal.

"And this is the promise that He has promised us; eternal life." (1 John 2:25)

"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Corinthians 5:1)

When Jesus returns at the Rapture, all those who have died in Christ will be raised from the dead first, and then we who are alive will meet Him in the air. From that time on (that is, after the Great Tribulation) we spend 1000 years with Christ on the earth and then at the end of the 1000 years we rule and reign with Him throughout eternity (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:20-25, 51-55 & Revelations 20:1-4,21:1-4).

    IV. WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE?

The Bible refers to Heaven as being above the world, in that God looks down upon the earth and that when Jesus left this earth he was received "up into Heaven" (Deuteronomy 26:15, Mark 16:19).

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

Heaven will be a place of light, love, holiness, righteousness, worship, service, joy, peace and life eternally because Jesus the Redeemer will be there. The New Jerusalem will be the new capitol of the universe and the place where the redeemed gather for worship and service. There will be no darkness, hate, sin, unrighteousness, sorrow, discord or death there. Without these things, it will be heaven indeed. What a wonderful and worthy reward of the God who redeemed us!

1. It Is A Place of No More Thirst, Hunger, Sorrow, Pain or Death.Rev.21:4 Rev.7:16-17 

2.  Heaven Is A Place Where Nothing Can Be Corrupted. Matt. 6:20 “Rev. 21:27 

3.  Heaven Is A Place Of Pleasures Forevermore. Psalms 16:11. 1 Cor.  2:9 

4.  It Will Be A Place Of Worship. Rev. 15:4 

5.  Heaven Will Be A Place Of Constant Illumination. Rev. 21:23.

Heaven is clearly described in the Bible as an actual place. It is not a feeling or a state of mind.  When people refer to Heaven as being on earth they are partially correct in that we can experience a personal relationship with God while we are still alive. This is experiencing some of what is in store for those who will go to Heaven when they die.

    V.  WHAT IS NEEDED TO ENTER INTO THE GATES OF HEAVEN?

No one in Heaven will deserve to be there as result of any merit of his own. Because of this fact three will not be anyone boasting that he or she had earned the right to live in Heaven.  The people who will live in Heaven will be full of gratitude to God for being allowed to live in His presence eternally. There is clearly only one way that is available to go to Heaven:

Choosing Heaven means choosing to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Such a relationship brings a foretaste of Heaven in this life, and an eternity of happiness (John 3:3; John 14:6).
Now, there is no doubt that God gave mankind the freewill to choose, that doesn't mean that He approves of sin. God sent His One and Only Son Jesus Christ to die for you at the cross for our sins. Any of us would have been nailed at that cross, even that thief Barabbas would have being crucified, but Jesus took our place, and paid the price for us. You may be thinking, "Why would He even do that for me if I don't even believe in Him anyways?" Because He loves you. And to add to it, God loves the sinner (including the murders, the homosexuals, the adulterers, etc.) but He DOES NOT, approve of their sin.
That is why He sent His one and only Son Jesus Christ to die for their sins, your sins, my sins, and the sins of the whole world, so that they can be set free from the bondage of sin. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3: 16-18

And one day, all of us will eventually leave this world. But the question to you is, if today or tomorrow was your last day on earth, where will you find yourself: In Heaven or in Hell?

You can make your decision today!