John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Heaven is the final abode of the saints. While the term may be used to describe the dwelling place of the righteous during the intermediate state, the term more properly denotes the eternal state of the righteous after the resurrection, the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Millennium. All redeemed saints will spend eternity with Jesus. John 16:22, “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” What a glorious day it will be, when my Jesus I shall see!
Heaven Is A Real Place
Heaven is a real place. In the Scripture it is called “a place” (John 14:2), a country (Hebrews 11:14-16), a city (Hebrews 11:10, 16; 12:22; 13:14; Revelation 21:10-27), and a house or mansion (John 14:23). Heaven is more than a condition of the soul, more than a state of mind, more than mere thoughts and ideas. It is a literal dwelling place consisting of material reality. Colossians 3:1 tells us that God the Father and His Son sit on two separate literal thrones.
In addition to the biblical descriptions of Heaven, there are two other biblical truths of the Christian faith which demand that Heaven be a real place. The first is the bodily resurrection and ascension of Christ, and the other is the bodily resurrection of the believers. The nature of Heaven must correspond to these two facts. It is inconsistent, on the one hand, to believe in the bodily resurrection of flesh and bones with the capacity to eat and drink (Luke 24:39-43; Acts 10:41); and, on the other hand, to think of Heaven as only symbolic and allegorical.
Since Jesus ascended into the clouds in a literal physical body, seen visibly leaving by His disciples (Acts 1:11), He must have physically entered into Heaven in the universe.
Heaven Is A Glorious Life
What kind of life will we have in Heaven? Many things could be said at this point, but we can only mention a few selected statements.
First, it will be a life of individual perfection. We will have new, perfect bodies (1st Corinthians 15:42-58); our minds will be renewed (1st Corinthians 13:12); we will have moral perfection, for sin will be completely abolished from our nature and practice (1st John 3:2; Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 21:27). Imperfection is such a part of our experience now that it is almost impossible for us to conceive what our future life in Heaven will be like.
Second, it will be a life of harmonious social relations. People from all walks of life and from all races and nations will be in Heaven (Revelation 7:9), and yet there will be no quarrels, disagreements, crimes, nor wars to taint the fellowship. In Heaven there will be no fear nor mistrust of one another (Revelation 21:24-27). What a glorious day that will be!
Third, it will be a life free from all natural evils. The body will no longer be subject to sickness, decay, hunger, pain, weariness, nor death (1st Corinthians 15:53; Revelation 7:16; 21:4). The ravages of nature will no longer be a threat for there will be a new Heaven and a new earth with these evils taken away (Romans 8:18-22; Revelation 21:1).
Heaven Is A Glorious Life
What kind of life will we have in Heaven? Many things could be said at this point, but we can only mention a few selected statements.
First, it will be a life of individual perfection. We will have new, perfect bodies (1st Corinthians 15:42-58); our minds will be renewed (1st Corinthians 13:12); we will have moral perfection, for sin will be completely abolished from our nature and practice (1st John 3:2; Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 21:27). Imperfection is such a part of our experience now that it is almost impossible for us to conceive what our future life in Heaven will be like.
Second, it will be a life of harmonious social relations. People from all walks of life and from all races and nations will be in Heaven (Revelation 7:9), and yet there will be no quarrels, disagreements, crimes, nor wars to taint the fellowship. In Heaven there will be no fear nor mistrust of one another (Revelation 21:24-27). What a glorious day that will be!
Third, it will be a life free from all natural evils. The body will no longer be subject to sickness, decay, hunger, pain, weariness, nor death (1st Corinthians 15:53; Revelation 7:16; 21:4). The ravages of nature will no longer be a threat for there will be a new Heaven and a new earth with these evils taken away (Romans 8:18-22; Revelation 21:1).
During the Millennial reign of Christ, Christians alive today will all have our resurrected bodies (given at the Rapture), free from sin, pain, vulnerabilities, aging and diseases. The waters upon the earth which were poisoned from the asteroid Wormwood shall be healed ( Ezekiel 47:8-9). Wild animals will get along in perfect sweet harmony. The wolf and the lamb will be good friends (Isaiah 65:25).
Finally, we know that Heaven will be a life of unbroken fellowship with God. Our relations with God are so often hindered here on earth because of sin. Sin often hides the LORD's face from us, and our limited understanding causes us to look through a glass darkly. But then we shall see Jesus face to face and behold Him in all His beauty (Isaiah 33:7; Matthew 5:8; Revelation 22:4; 1st John 3:2). This will be one of the greatest joys in Heaven. Oh, happy day it shall be!
Heaven Is An Eternal State
It is sometimes said here on earth, “All good things must come to an end.” However, this is not true of Heaven. Jesus promises treasures in Heaven to those believers who labor for the Kingdom of God that will not dry rot, rust or be ruined by moths. Our clothes won't wear old. Heaven is the eternal state of the righteous. There will be no end to Heaven's blessings and joy. There will be no danger of ever falling from God's grace, nor having Heaven's blessings taken away from us. Heaven will be a world without end. Amen and amen!
(by Dr. Jack Hyles)
An awesome MP3 sermon series on “HEAVEN” by Pastor James Knox...
Here's some excellent life-changing MP3 sermons by Pastor Jack Hyles about “HEAVEN”...
- Abel In Heaven
- Heaven On Earth
- How To Enjoy Heaven More
- Heaven Is A Place
- My Heavenly Body
- A Prepared Heaven
- The Heavenly Witnesses
- What Makes Heaven Happy
- Heaven Is Jesus
- What Will We Do In Heaven?
- The Music Of Heaven
- As In Heaven
- The Realities In Heaven
- What Would Happen If The Lord Would Not Let Me Into Heaven?
- When The Windows Of Heaven Are Open
- The Little Boy Who Went To Heaven And Why
- The Happiest Person In Heaven
- The Streets Of Heaven Begin On Earth
- Imperfect People In Heaven
- How God Tidies Up Heaven
- Forever Settled In Heaven
- I Dreamed I Searched For Heaven
(Dr. Hyles, chapter 35 from his awesome book, “Meet The Holy Spirit”
Heaven's Door Is Wide Open—Put Down The Pick Axes, The Grappling Hooks, The Shovels & The Jack Hammers!
A Christian Review of The Movie, “Heaven is for Real”
Laying Up Treasures In Heaven
Heaven's Inhabitants (a printed sermon by Pastor Dwight L. Moody)
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