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Presented, May 1, 2005

WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE?

Week after week, in sermons and lessons we mention our desire to go to heaven when this life is over.  It is our ultimate goal and motivation for enduring all that we do in this life. As I have heard it said in sermons before, ‘if you miss heaven, you’ve missed all there is’, is such a true statement.  But what is heaven like?  It has been quite a while since we have examined that question, so today we want to notice what God’s word has to say about our eternal home in heaven.

I.                     Heaven is a Real Place

A.      3 heavens in the Bible -2 Corinthians 12:2 speaks of “a man” that Paul knew being caught up to the “third heaven”.  The word “heaven” actually has at least 3 different meanings in the Bible

a.        The atmosphere – James 5:18 speaks of Elijah praying and  “the heaven gave rains”

b.       Space – Matthew 24:29, “the stars will fall from heaven”
Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away”

c.        The eternal dwelling place where God is and where we have hope of spending eternity with God – Matthew  5:16 says by example to “glorify your Father in heaven”
John 6:38 Jesus said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”  Vs. 42 shows that they understood this as they question this Jesus as the son of Joseph, etc.
1 Peter 3:22 – Jesus is now in heaven and is at the right hand of God.

B.       It is not just an imaginary place made up to “trick people” into church and living right.

C.       Hebrews 11:10, 13-16 describes as a place which has foundations whose builder and maker is God.

D.      John 14:1-3 – Jesus said he went to prepare a place for us.  A place with many mansions.

E.       2 Corinthians 5:1 – if this “earthly tent” is destroyed we have a building, eternal in the heavens.

F.       Colossians 1:5 – “laid up in heaven for you.”

G.       1 Peter 1:3-4 – “reserved in heaven for you.”

II.                   Heaven Described in Various Texts

A.      Exactly what heaven is like we really don’t know but we have a number of texts that give details that reveal it as the place where we want to spend eternity.  When Jesus spoke of heaven, just as when He spoke of hell, He tried to give insight into a spiritual place in physical terms.  In describing Hell, He found the worst possible place to relate it to – a garbage pit south of the city.  In describing heaven – He used terms related to that which is good.- Matthew 6:19-20,

B.       2 Corinthians 12:4 – Paradise.  Paul speaks of a man being caught up into heaven.  Vs. 4 describes it as “paradise”. 
The word actually has reference to a palace garden or an orchard.  Think of a place where the grounds are well maintained and flowers are always in bloom.  As you walk through quite paths, you can smell the flowers and enjoy the sounds of nature. In Florida there is a place called, Cypress Gardens that is like that.
 Revelation 2:7 the tree of life is found there, in “the midst of the Paradise of God.”
Luke 23:43 – on the cross, Jesus promised the penitent thief that he would be with Him in paradise.  On this occasion, the obvious allusion was to the waiting place of the righteous dead.

C.       2 Peter 3:7-13 – a new heaven and new earth – a passage misused by some religions today.  Its intended meaning is that what we have to look forward to is something different and better.  Ever since sin, this OLD world has been corrupted in so many ways.  Our new dwelling place (heaven) will have no corruption or the like. 

D.      Matthew 6:20 – a place where we can collect our reward.  All that we give up in this life is not without reward.  IF we don’t give up (Galatians 6:9) the treasures we have “laid up for ourselves” await us in heaven.  That treasure is where our hearts will be.
Matthew 5:12 – concerning those persecuted for righteousness sake.  “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven…”
2 Timothy 1:12 – Paul knew that God would keep that which he had committed to God until that day.

E.       Revelation 21-22 tells us a number of things about this place.  Let us notice a few of them

a.        NOTE: Revelation 21-22 describes the final reward that awaits those who overcame the tribulations, troubles and trials mentioned in the book. 
IT is interesting in these verses that John sees a city coming down out of heaven – the New Jerusalem (21:2).  This is the kingdom (of heaven) in its glorified and final state.  I believe it is descriptive of what heaven will be like (again trying to put into physical terms a spiritual concept). 
NOTE 21:1 – begins by describing “a new heaven and a new earth” – the same description as 2 Peter 3:13.  Consider how John describes this place:

b.       Vs. 4 – the character of those in the city – no more tears, death, sorrow or crying.  No more pain.

c.        Vs. 11 – the glory of God is there.  In fact, God IS there.  What a joy to know that we can spend eternity with our Creator and our Savior (cf. John 14:1-3 again)

d.       Vs. 12-21 – the city described – twelve foundations and twelve gates.  Made of precious stones and of value beyond comprehension.  John is describing how precious and special this city will be.

e.        Vs. 22 – Its temple IS the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.

f.         Vs. 23 – Its source of light and warmth is God and the Lamb

g.       Vs. 25-27 – It shall NEVER close – being secure.  There is no need to worry about anything – because nothing that defiles, causes an abomination or a lie will enter its gates.  ONLY those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

h.       22:1- God’s throne is there

i.         22:3 – there will be no more curse (going back to Genesis 3 where the curse of sin started it all).

j.         22:5 – there shall be no night there.

k.        22:5 – they shall reign forever and ever.  It is eternal.

l.         IN this life we have to put up with many miseries, disappointments, difficulties, etc.  In heaven there will be NONE of that.  Will not the few years of sacrifice and sorrow be worth it when we consider an eternity with Him?

F.       Hebrews 4:9 – a place of rest, Revelation 14:13.  We all crave rest and times of relaxation (some more than others).  In heaven we will never wear out or be stressed because of all that needs to be done.  It is all over with.  The Lord has said, “Well done good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of the Lord.” (Matthew 25:21 – said to the 5 and 2 talent men.

G.       A place where the righteous will dwell throughout eternity.   

a.        2 Corinthians 5:1 – Our house ETERNAL in the heavens.

b.       What a joy it will be to dwell with those who have faithfully served God throughout the ages. 

c.        The righteous characters we read about in the Bible, both the Old and New Laws, as well as the faithful myriads never mentioned who supported them.  Men who “by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality.” (Romans 2:7).

d.       Those whose names are written in heaven – Luke 10:20, Hebrews 12:23
Revelation 20:15 – Whoever’s name is not written in the book of life cast into the lake of fire (Hell)

It is my hope that in this lesson either we have been reminded of the goal that we are pressing toward OR we have encouraged as we learn what to expect.  Do you have this hope?  Is your name written in heaven?  If you have never obeyed the gospel it is not there.  Why not do something about that today?

   But let us not keep this hope to ourselves.  2 Timothy 4:8 In just two weeks a series of lessons will be presented here in one of our semi-annual gospel meetings.  Do we want to share this reward with others?  Why not take advantage of this opportunity to invite everyone we know to come hear the gospel and the hope they have to look forward to.