Read 2Cor 12:1-4. Here we learn, that the Apostle Paul (referring to himself in the third person) was caught up to the Paradise - the third Heaven. The third heaven is where God dwells. The first is our sky (atmosphere Gen 1:6-8). The second the celestial heaven (Gen 1:14-18). We learned last week that there are two eternal destinies for mankind. He will go to Hell after death, or he will go to Heaven. From Luke 16, we focused last week on the very real place called Hell. This week, we will look at Heaven. We will all die; we will all be judged; we will all exist forever. The decision one makes in this life will determine where we will spend eternity.
I want to bring up and answer the following questions: What is Heaven? Is it a real place? Where did it come from? Who is there? What is it like? What must I do to get there? Does everyone go there? How long are you there once you go? The Word of God answers all of these questions, so let’s take a look.
Is Heaven a real place? Job 22:12 says “Is not God in the height of Heaven?”. Ps. 33:13 says “The Lord looks from Heaven; He behold all the sons of men.” We also see from these verses that God Almighty dwells there. It’s where His throne is (Ps 11:4). The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
Of course from Scripture we know that God is omnipresent (see Ps 139:6-16, Jer 23:24). Pro 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Yet, Heaven is His specific dwelling place (Ps 102:19) “For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth.” God can easily be in one place, yet be everywhere. We also know God is the One who created Heaven (Gen 1:1, Ex 20:11, Jn 1:3, Acts 4:24).
So who’s in Heaven? Well, we’ve already determined that God is there, but He is not alone. The Word says Jesus is there as well. Our Lord and Savior sits in Heaven at The Father’s right hand. (see Eph 1:20, 1Pt 3:22). Col 4:1 “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.” Heb 9:24 “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”
There are others there, as well: In Mt 8:11, Jesus said “…many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Imagine, all of the Old Testament faithful, and the New Testament believers as well, whose lives we read about in The Bible - we will get to sit down and talk with them! All those that have died, being in the faith, are also there; as well the angels (Mt 18:10, 22:30, 24:36).
So what is Heaven like? Well, we know it is a place where God’s perfect will is perfectly carried out (Mat 6:10-Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.) Rev. 21&22 tells us that God wipes away all tears. There is no more death; no more sorrow; no more crying; no more pain; no more curse. It is a beautiful place of gold and precious gems. It is a place where the only source of light is the glory of God, and there is never any darkness.
Although we get glimpses of the glory of Heaven through the Word, our natural mind will never be able to fully comprehend it, because it is just too awesome! 1Co 2:9-10 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.” Only the Christian full of the Spirit can even start to get a glimpse of God’s wonderful habitation!
Did you know, if you’re a believer in Christ Jesus, that you have a mansion already prepared for you there (Jn 14:2-3)? Our wonderful Savior has gone to prepare a place for us! He is coming back for His Bride, the Church! Are you ready?
What a wonderful promise, that Jesus has prepared a place just for you. We have a wonderful Savior. I pray that if you have not given your life to Jesus, that you would do so right now. In light of eternity, this life is a vapor; a snap of the fingers, and it is over (Jam 4:14). So what is more important than where you spend eternity? The good news is Heaven is forever (Rev 22:5). The bad news is, so is Hell (Rev 20:10-15). There is no in between, and no second chances: but rest assured, as a Christian, as soon as your body dies, you are present with the Lord (2Cor 5:8, Philp 1:23).
So how do you get there? God seeks those that will worship Him in Spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24). You must humble yourself as a child (yes, pride will keep you out of Heaven) as Jesus said in Mt 18:3-4. You must come to Jesus with child-like faith, and simply repent and believe. You must be born again (Jn 3:3) by the grace of God through faith in His Son (Eph 2:8-9). You also must be a church member to get into Heaven - the church of the firstborn (Heb12:23). That is Jesus’ church (Col 1:18).
Where exactly is your name written as a member of the church of the firstborn? The Lamb’s Book of Life (Phi 4:3, Rev 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 20:15, 21:27, 22:19). Your name Must be written in this book. If your name is not written in this book, you will not enter Heaven.
There is one last thing you have to do. You have to die. 1Cor 15:50 says that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. You cannot go to Heaven in the body you have now. It either has to die, or be supernaturally changed if you’re alive when Jesus comes back (1Cor 15:51-53, 1Thess 4:16-17). This is The Word of God. Believe it & receive it today.
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