Mankind has been fascinated with the idea of Heaven for quite some time. Many people have a vivid idea of what they think the afterlife is going to be like. And now, with all that’s going on, it’s a very popular topic. Just go to any bookstore and you’ll see book after book about Heaven and about people’s personal experiences in Heaven. My question to you is, what do you think Heaven is like? I don’t doubt that God may have had some people go through near death experiences, but sometimes it’s difficult to tell WHICH ONES ARE REALLY TRUE. How can we know for sure what Heaven is REALLY LIKE?
What does the Bible say about what Heaven is really like? “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth HAD PASSED AWAY. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God IS WITH MEN, and He will DWELL WITH THEM, and they shall be His people. God Himself will BE WITH THEM AND BE THEIR GOD.” (Rev. 21:1-3) Heaven will be a place that is as real and tangible as this earth, but INFINITELY BETTER, with none of the problems of this fallen earth. We will have new bodies and have a PERFECT RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER. We will also be without sin, false motives and comparison. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when Jesus is revealed, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, for we shall see Him AS HE IS.” (1 John 3:2)
Jesus taught us, “In My Father’s house are MANY MANSIONS; if it were not so, I would have told you. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN AND RECEIVE YOU TO MYSELF; that where I am, there YOU MAY BE ALSO. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I AM THE WAY, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except THROUGH ME.” (John 14:2-6) God’s ultimate goal is to help all of us, His children return to live with Him in the heavenly kingdom. Yet, it is OUR CHOICE here and now that will determine where we spend eternity.
So, this is what we must do:
- believe in Jesus Christ,
- repent of our sins,
- be baptized in His name,
- be sanctified,
- receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- We also need to KEEP and OBEY the Word of God,
- and repent when we fall short…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham