Heaven: A place you want to spend eternity!

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A boy stood on a windy hillside, flying a kite. He continued to release the string of the kite and it went higher and higher until it was completely out of sight. One of his friends walked up and asked how he knew there was still a kite on the other end. He replied. "I know it's there I feel it tugging on the line." Like the kite, we can't see heaven with our eyes, but we feel it tugging at our souls!

I. Different views of Heaven:

A. PHYSICAL RESTORATION OF EDEN:

B. CONTINUOUS DIVINE PROGRESSION:

C. BIBLE TEACHING:

II. Where is heaven:

A. Two basic views:

  1. Heaven is physical upon the earth
  2. Heaven is spiritual in the presence of God

B. Heavenly places, lit: "IN THE HEAVENLIES" Used 5X in Ephesians

  1. Eph 1:3 all spiritual blessings IN THE HEAVENLIES
  2. Eph 1:20­23 God made Christ to sit at His right hand IN THE HEAVENLIES
  3. Eph 2:6 Christ raised us up to sit with him IN THE HEAVENLIES
  4. Eph 3:10 God's wisdom made known through the church to the rulers and authorities IN THE HEAVENLIES
  5. Eph 6:10­12 Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness. against the spiritual forces of wickedness IN THE HEAVENLIES.

C. Heaven is not part of physical universe:

  1. Jn 18:36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world . . . this realm"
  2. Heb 9:11,24 Heaven is not of this creation
  3. 1 Cor 15:50­51,44 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God a. we shall all be changed...we will have a spiritual body

D. Jesus teaches His disciples about the nature of heaven: John 13:36; 14:1­6

  1. Jn 13:36 you cannot follow me now but you will follow me later
  2. Jn 14:2 Father's house has many places, I go to prepare you a place
  3. Jn V3 I will come and receive you that where I am YOU may be also
  4. Jn V5 Thomas asks, "Jesus where are you going?"
  5. Jn 14:6 No one comes to the Father but through Me!

III. Physical symbols/word pictures of heaven

Click here to see photo gallery of heaven and hell

A. A City:

  1. An eternal heavenly city: Heb 11:16; 13:14
  2. a beautiful city: Rev 20:2,10­22:5

B. SABBATH REST: Heb 3:12­4:11

  1. God has rested from creation to present: 4:3,9­10
  2. This is not the 7th day Sabbath: Col 2:14
  1. Rev 14:13

C. NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH:

1. 2 Pe 3:5­7

2. The present physical universe is "uncreated" or eliminated:

3. Rev 21:1.5 I make all things new

D. RESTORED GARDEN PARADISE: Gen 2:8­10

  1. Rev 2:7 Tree of life in the paradise of God
  2. Rev 22:2,3 Uncursed tree of life

E. "HOLY OF HOLIES" or "MOST HOLY PLACE" of the Jewish tabernacle:

  1. Represented heaven: Heb 9:11,24
  2. Jesus entered into the veil: Heb 6:19,20

F. OTHER PHYSICAL PICTURES AND SYMBOLS:

  1. Eternal day: Rev 21:25 ~ 22:5
  2. Physical comfort:
  1. Emotional comfort: No morning or crying: Rev 21:4

Conclusion

A. Overall heaven is described:

  1. Mt 5:11 as a great reward
  2. Rom 8:18 present suffering not worthy to be compared with future glory
  3. 2 Cor 4:17,18 eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison
  4. Eph 2:7 surpassing riches of His grace towards us
  5. Eph 3:20 beyond all we could ask for or even think of

Steve Rudd

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