heaven bible study updated for kdcom … · • do you think dogs go to heaven? (this is just an...

Heaven

WhatQuestionsDoYouHaveAboutHeaven…AndDoestheBibleHaveAnswersforThem?

A4-WeekStudy

KathleenDalton

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Heaven

TableofContents

Question PageIntroduction&HowtoLeadThisStudyonYourOwn 4

1. CanIKnowForSureI’mGoingtoHeaven? 72. WhatArethe10BestThingsAboutHeaven? 113. ACompiledListofQuestions 124. WhatisHeaven?WhereisHeaven? 145. WhoWillISeeFirstWhenIGoToHeaven? 166. DidOldTestamentBelieversGoToHeaven,Too? 187. WhatistheDifferenceBetween“Heaven”,and

the“NewHeavenandtheNewEarth”?19

8. HeavenTimeline 209. CanOurLovedOnesSeeUsFromHeaven? 2310. HasGodEverTakenSomeonetoHeaven,and

HadThemComeBackandTellPeopleAboutit?24

11. HowLongDoesitTaketoGettoHeaven? 2612. HowLongHasHeavenBeenThere? 27

#13-19QuestionsAnsweredFromtheGospels

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Question Page20. WhenIDieWillIBecomeAnAngel? 2921. CanGodTakeYouToHeavenIfYou’reNotDead

Yet?30

22. WillIStillHaveFeelingsinHeaven? 3123. IsItOKforMetoWanttoTalktomyLovedOne

WhoHasDied?32

24. WhyDoPeopleHavetoDie? 3425. WillThereBeAnySininHeaven?CouldWeUse

OurFreeWillinHeavenandChoosetoSin?35

26. WillOurLovedOnesGreetUsWhenWeGettoHeaven?

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27. DoBabiesWhoDieGoToHeaven? 3728. WillBabiesStillBeBabiesinHeaven? 3829. WhatAgeWillWeBeinHeaven? 3930. AreThereDifferentLevelsofHeaven? 4031. WillWeHaveWorktoDoinHeaven? 4232. WillWeBathe,Sleep,UseBathrooms? 4333. WhyDoesJesusSayWe’llHaveAMansion?Will

WeEvenCare?44

34. CanPeopleWhoCommitSuicideGoToHeaven? 4535. WillwegettomeetAdam,Eve,andotherOld

Testamentpeople?47

36. WillwekeepongrowingspirituallyinHeaven? 4837. WillIbeabletogetahuginHeaven?IfIlosta

leginthislife,willIhave2legsinHeaven?49

38. WillHeavenbeliketheworldweliveinnow? 5039. WillSatanstillshowupinHeavenwhenIam

there?51

40. CanwereallyseeGod?OrJesus?Willtherebeadifference?WillwebeabletoaskGodquestions?Willweevenwanttoknowtheanswers?

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41. Whenwehavea“premonition”,isthatsomeonewatchingoutforusinHeaven?

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42. CanIstillbelieveinJesusafterIdie? 55Review–WhatWeKnowForSureAboutHeaven 56

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Heaven

Introduction,andHowToLeadThisStudyonyourOwn

OnWeek#1Iusuallystartoutthis4-weekstudybyfindingoutwhatourattendersarethinkingandwonderingaboutHeaven.I’dliketoheartheirquestionsaboutheaven,theirexperienceswithlosingsomeoneindeath,andmaybeeventheirfearsaboutHeaven.Inordertodothis,Iconductalittleconversationtime–encouragingpeopletorespond.Mostofthepeopleattendingthisstudyhavecomebecausethey’veseenthestudyadvertised,andtheyareinterestedinthetopic.Sowebeginbyaskingafew“group”questions–meaning,wewillgoaroundtheroomandencourageeveryonetoanswerthefirstcoupleofquestions.We’llstartwitheasy-to-answerquestions,andnottoopersonal,sothatpeoplewillfeeltheyarebeinggivenpermissiontospeak,butwon’tfeeltheyarebeingpressured.Forinstance:

• Whatisyourname,andhowdidyouhearaboutthisstudy?• Whatisyourname,andhowfardidyoudrivetogethere?• HaveyoueverbeentoastudyonHeavenbefore?• DoyouthinkmuchaboutHeaveninyourevery-daylife?(Thisisayes/noquestion,and

thereisnowronganswer.Ifit’salargegroup,justaskforashowofhands)• Doyouhavesomeonewaitingforyouinheaven?(Again,yes/no.Butthereisa

possibilitysomeonewillwanttofillinthegrouponanameofthatperson,orontheirstoryoflosingthatperson.Thatwouldbegreat,butnotrequired.)

• WhatdoyouthinkHeavenislike?(Youcanuseaflipchartforthisone–togeteveryoneengaged)

• Doyouthinkdogsgotoheaven?(Thisisjustanopinionquestion–sothatpeoplewillfeelcomfortableexpressinganopinion–nowronganswers.)

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Now…it’stimetofindoutwhatquestionspeoplemighthaveaboutheaven–questionstheymightliketohaveansweredinthenext4weeks.Iaskifthereareanyquestionswecanattempttoanswer.Astheysuggestquestions,theywillbewrittendownsothatwecanaddresstheminfutureweeks.Everyquestionisagoodone–therearenobadquestions.Herearesomeexamplesofquestionspeoplehaveasked:

• Istherereallyaheaven?• Whatdoyouthinkapersonneedstodotobesuretheywillgetthere?• Whatisheavenlike?Doesitfeellikearealplace?• Isheavenjustfloatingonclouds? • Howtogetthere...arrive?• Isheavengoingtobeboring?• Willtherebeanysleeping?• Willwehaveajobinheaven?• Willweknoweveryone?• Willwestillhavebestfriendsinheaven?• Willwewalkorfly?• Willtherebetechnologyinheaven?• Dopeopleinheavenseeusnow?• Whatwillwelooklike?

Ifpeoplehaveahardtimecomingupwiththeirownquestions,giveitsometime.Suggestsomeoftheabovequestionsandseeifthattriggerssomethoughts.

Inthethreeweeksfollowingthisfirstclass,IpromisewearegoingtotrytoanswerthequestionsfromtheBible.Ifwecan’tfindananswer,we’llsayso.OurfocuswillbeonwhetherornotthereisananswerintheBible.Ifsomehavedifferentopinions,that’snotabadthing,butthewholepointofthisstudywillbetoseewhattheBiblesays,andthatiswherewewillcontinuallybeheading.

AsIhaveledthisstudyinthepast,Ihavetriedtobemindfulofthefactthatweprobablyhavenoideawhateachother’sownpersonalexperiencewithdeathandlookingtowardheavenhasbeenlike.Asagroup,wewanttobesensitivetoanyonestillwalkingthroughgriefbecauseofthelossofsomeoneneartothem.We’djustliketoseeiftheBiblemightshedsomelightonallofourquestions…..andourgoalisthatafterfourweeksofconversation,laughter,anddiggingintotheWord,wewillwanttocontinuetoexplorewhattheBiblehastosayaboutmanyotherthings!

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IsuggestusingWeek#1to

1. TalkthroughtheIntroduction,2. ThenQuestion#1“CanIKnowforSureIAmGoingtoHeaven?3. Then#2,“WhatArethe10BestThingsAboutHeaven?4. Thencomeupwithanyquestionsyouoryourgroupmighthave.

Forthelastthreeweeksofthestudy,havefunresearching,answering,anddiscussingasmanyquestionsasyoucan!

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1. CanIKnowforSureIAmGoingtoHeaven?John14:1-6,John3:3,Psalm139

LookupJohn14:1-6inyourBible,andwe’lltalkthroughtheseversesandfindananswertothisfrequently-askedquestionaboutheaven:

“Letnotyourheartbetroubled;youbelieveinGod,believealsoinMe.InMyFather’shousearemanymansions;ifitwerenotso,Iwouldhavetoldyou.Igotoprepareaplaceforyou.AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,IwillcomeagainandreceiveyoutoMyself;thatwhereIam,thereyoumaybealso.AndwhereIgoyouknow,andthewayyouknow.”ThomassaidtoHim,“Lord,wedonotknowwhereYouaregoing,andhowcanweknowtheway?”Jesussaidtohim,“Iamtheway,thetruth,andthelife.NoonecomestotheFatherexceptthroughMe.”(John14:1-6)

WhenJesussaysthesewordstoHisdisciples,theyhavejusthadtheLastSuppertogether,andHehastoldthemHeisgoingtodieverysoon.JudashasleftthegrouptogobetrayHim,andJesusistakinghislastfewhourstotellHisdisciplesthefinalthingsHewantsthemtoknowbeforethechaosofthecrucifixiondescendsonthem.Hisdisciplesareofcourseupset–notatallunderstandingwhatisabouttohappen.TheyjustknowtheirbelovedJesusistellingthemHeisgoingtoleavethem,andiswarningthemaboutthehatredthatisgoingtobepouredoutonnotonlyHim,butonthem,too.Itmusthavebeenfrighteningandconfusing.

SoJesustellsthemnottobeafraid…nottobetroubled.“Letnotyourheartbetroubled…”

HeremindsthemthattheyarebelieversinGod“…youbelieveinGod…”–that’swhytheyfollowedHiminthefirstplace.TheybelievedintheOne,TrueGod–theGodofIsrael-evenbeforetheyinitiallyfollowedJesus.TheybelievedthattheGodofIsraellovedthemandhadpromisedHewouldsendaSavior–aMessiah–whowouldsolvetheirsinproblemforever.

AndnowtheyhavefollowedJesusforoverthreeyears.TheyhaveseeneverythingHehasdone.TheyhaveheardHimsaythatHeisthatSaviorwhowastocome.TheyhaveheardHisclaimsthatHeisGodHimself.

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ItistimeforthemtobelieveinHim.TheyhavebelievedinGod.ItistimeforthemtobelievethatJesusisGod,tobelievethatHeisthepromisedMessiah.“…youbelieveinGod,believealsoinMe…”

Andthatbeliefcouldn’tjustbehead-belief.Jesusisaskingforabeliefwhichsays“Mywholelifeisstakedonthis.IwanttodowhateverYouthinkisbest,Jesus….forIknowforsurethatYouareGod.IamfromthispointonafollowerofYou,Jesus,nomatterwhathappens.”

It’saheart-belief,notjustahead-belief.It’sacommitment,notjustmentalacceptance.It’sadesertionofmyoldwaysandaturn-aroundtoGod’sways.It’sformywholelife,notjustforalittlewhile.It’sa“bowingoftheknee”.It’sworship.

“…InMyFather’shousearemanymansions;ifitwerenotso,Iwouldhavetoldyou.Igotoprepareaplaceforyou..”HegoesontotellthemthatoncetheyhavemadethiscommitmenttobelievinginHim,theyhaveHispromise.He’sgoingbacktotheFather–tothehomeinheavenHelivedinbeforeHecametoearth–andwhenHegetsbackthereHe’sgoingtogetthathomereadyforthem,too.Thathomeinheavenisgoingtobetheirfinalhome–afterthislifeisover.It’sgoingtobethehometheylookforwardtowhenthislifegetshard.It’sgoingtobetheworldtheyliveinforeverandeverandever.It’sthehomethatreallycounts.HowisHegoingtogetthere?Heisgoingtogettherebydyingonthecross,stayinginthegraveforthreedays,andthenraisingHimselffromthedead!OK.Sohowaretheygoingtogetthere?Howaretheygoingtogetfromthisworldtothehomethatiswaitingforthem?He’sgoingtocomebackandgetthem.“…AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,IwillcomeagainandreceiveyoutoMyself;thatwhereIam,thereyoumaybealso…”There’snowayHewantstoliveforalleternitywithoutthesefriendsHeloves…soHewillmakesureHeavenisreadyforthem,andHewillmakesuretheygetthere.

Herepeatsittothemagaininverse4:“…AndwhereIgoyouknow,andthewayyouknow…”YouknowwhereI’mgoing,andyouknowhowtogetthere.

Thomasisscaredandconfused.“…ThomassaidtoHim,“Lord,wedonotknowwhereYouaregoing,andhowcanweknowtheway?”AndprobablyThomasisnotalone.Theyallareprobablywondering…whatdoesHemean?

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SoJesusreassuresthem.Everything’sgoingtobeOK.JustbelieveinMe.BelievethatIamWhoIsayIam.BecauseI’mGod,ifyoubelieveinMe,yourlifecan’tbeallaboutyou.Believinginmeisahugechangeforyou.Changeyourlifefrombeingallaboutyou…tobeingallaboutMe.WhenyoubelieveinMe,Itakecareofwhereyou’regoingandhowyou’llgetthere.“…Jesussaidtohim,“Iamtheway,thetruth,andthelife.NoonecomestotheFatherexceptthroughMe….”

What’stheanswertoourquestion?Canweknowforsurewearegoingtoheaven?

Yes.

WhenwebelieveinJesuswithheart-belief,notjusthead-belief,Hewillgetusthere.Ourassurancethatwearegoingtoheavenwillnotbebasedonhowmanygoodthingswedoonthisearth.ItwillbebasedonwhetherornotwebelieveinJesus.Whenwemovefrom“IbelieveinGod”to“IbelieveinJesus–IrealizeHeisGod–IgivemylifetoHim”,webelongtoJesus,andHewillgetushome.

Letmetellyou,frommyownpersonalexperience,whatthatmomentofbeliefwaslike:

Somanythoughtscamerollingthroughmyheadlikethunderstorms.AllatthesametimeIrealizedJesusisGodHimself…andIunderstoodthatHeactuallycameasababyanddiedonthatcrossforme–notjustfor“everyone”–butactuallyforme,personally.IthoughthardaboutthefactthatHeactuallywasabletobedeadandthenmakeHimselfaliveagain…andthenIstruggledwithsomuchguilt!Irememberedmysins,myfailings,myrebellions.Therewasnoescapingthetruth-IknewIwasaliarandacheaterandthatI’dbeenmean-spiritedandhurtfulandselfishandproud.IknewIwasnotinnocentinGod’seyes…inJesus’eyes…andthattherewasnoreasonintheworldHewouldhavediedonthatcrossforme…andyetHedid!

Inmyheart,IbowedmykneebeforeHimandtalkedtoHim.ItearfullyadmittedtoHimthatIdidn’tdeserveHimdyinginmyplace,andIthankedHimforwhatHedid,andaskedHimtotakemylifeinHiswonderfulhands,anddowhateverHewantedwithit.Ididn’twanttobemineanymore.IwantedtobeHis.

Nomatterhowyoudescribeit,inthatmomentofverypersonalcommunicationbetweenyouandJesus,youarere-born.Bornagain.(John3:3)YouarebornintothefamilyofGod.Andfromthatmomenton,youhaveahomewaitingforyou,ahomeinheaventhatJesushasgottenreadyjustforyou.It’syours.Yournameisonthelittleswingingsignattheendofthe

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sidewalkwherethegatewillsomedayopenwideforyoutoenterandcheckoutyourforeverhome.It’sarealplace,anditiswaitingforyoutocomehome.

TheonlythingyouhavetodoiswaitforthedayHecomestogetyou.It’suptoHimwhenthatis…because…remember…yourlifeisnowinHishands.(Psalm139)

Note:ThereareseveralreallygreatbooksonHeaven.HerearethreeIrecommend:

HeavenbyRandyAlcorn

OneMinuteAfterYouDiebyIrwinLutzer

801QuestionsKidsAskAboutGod–byTyndaleHousePublishers(ThisoneisnottotallyaboutHeaven,butitdoeshavesomereallyterrificanswersforkidstoawholerangeofquestions.)

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2. WhatArethe10BestThingsAboutHeaven?

(A Little Exercize for us to Do in Class…you can do it on your own, too… list them in your order of importance. We’ll put together our “Ten Best Things About Heaven”

list in class. )

1.

2.

3.

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5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

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3. Herearesomeofthequestionswehaveasked:(Plantotalkthroughasmanyasyoucaninthenextthreeweeks)

1. WhereDoesthe1,000-year-reignofChristfitintotheHeavenpicture?2. CanyoureallyseeGod?3. WillwegettomeetAdam,Eve,andotherOldTestamentpeople?4. ArethereDifferent“levels”ofheaven?5. CanOurlovedonesseeusfromheaven?6. Canpeoplewhocommitsuicidegotoheaven?7. Willwerequiresleep?8. Dobabiesgotoheaven?9. Howmuchwillweknowwhenwegetthere,andwillwecontinuetolearn?10. Isheavenaspiritualplaceoraphysicalplace…orboth?11. WilltherebeaQ&AwithGod?12. Willweevenwanttoaskwhythingshappenedinourlives?13. Whatagewillwebe?14. Whatlanguagewillwespeak?15. WilltherebesadnessinHeaven?16. Willwerememberbadmemories?Goodmemories?17. Willtherebeanimals?18. Willwemakenewfriends?19. Whenwehavea“premonition”,isthatsomeonewatchingoutforusfromheaven?20. WhydoesJesussaywe’llhave“mansions”?Willweevencare?21. Willourlovedonesgreetus?22. Willwebathe,sleep,usethebathroom?23. Willwebeawareoftimepassing?Days?Years?24. CanweseepeopleonearthoncewegettoHeaven?25. AretheredifferentlevelsofHeaven?26. Willwebemadewhole?(ie:willsomeonewithamissingleghave2legsinheaven?)27. Willweeat?Chocolate?28. Willwehaveworktodo?29. Willwejustbefloatingonclouds?30. Willwerecognizepeoplefrombefore?Haverelationships?

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31. Willyoungchildrenwhodiestillgrowinheaven?32. WillIhavemysamenameinheaven?33. HowlonghasHeavenbeenthere?34. HowlongdoesittaketogettoHeaven?35. Willwewearclothes?36. WhenIdiewillIbecomeanangel?37. WillIstillhavefeelingsinheaven?38. IsitOKformetowanttotalktomylovedonewhohasdied?39. Whydopeoplehavetodie?40. WillwestillbeabletohavefreewillinHeaven?Doesthatmeanwecouldsin?41. Whatagewillwebe?42. Howlongdoesittaketogettoheaven?43. CanGodtakeyoutoHeavenifYou’renotdeadyet?44. CanIstillbelieveinJesusafterIdie?45. HasGodevertakensomeonetoheavenandhadthemcomebackandtellusaboutit?

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4.WhatisHeaven?WhereisHeaven?Deuteronomy26:15,Psalm11:4,Revelation4:1&2,Psalms2:4,2nd

Corinthians12:2-4,Luke23:43,Revelation21&22

Whatisheaven?It’sTHEPLACEWHEREGODLIVES.(Deuteronomy26:15,Psalm11:4)

Ithasalwaysbeenthere,becauseGodhasalwaysbeenthere,anditwilllastforever,becauseGodlastsforever.Ithasnobeginning,andnoending.Nooneknowsexactlywhereitis–it’swhereGodis.

That’sthesimpleanswer.However,whentheBibletalksaboutHeaven,sometimesthewordcanhaveadifferentmeaningthanjust“theplaceGodlives”.Itcanmean:

1. Thesky(atmospherearoundtheearth)–whereourrainandweathercomesfrom.(asinIsaiah55:10)

2. OuterSpace–inotherwords,thepartoftheskywhichwecan’tseebecauseitistoofaroutthere–thewholeuniverse–wherethestars,planets,sunandothersolarsystemsexist.(asinGenesis1:1,andGenesis1:14)

3. “ThePlaceWhereGodLives”(asinRevelation4:1&2andPsalms2:4)alsocalled“thethirdheaven”,or“PARADISE”(asin2ndCorinthians12:2-4,andLuke23:43)

4. “TheNewHeavenandTheNewEarth”,yettocome,inourfuture.ItwillbecreatedbyJesusafterHereturnsandreignsonthisoldearthfor1,000years.ItwillbetheNewPlaceGodLives.(asinRevelationchapters21&22)

OurideasaboutHeavengetconfusedsometimesbecausewedon’tdistinguishbetweenthesefourusesofthewordintheBible.

Forinstance,inGenesis1:1theBiblesays“InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth.”Theword“heaven”thereisreferringtothe“outerspace”aroundtheearth.It’snotsayingthatGodcreatedThePlaceWhereGodLivesatthesametimeHecreatedtheearth.

Morecommonly,weconfusestatementsabouttheNewHeavenandtheNewEarthwiththeThePlaceWhereGodLivesrightnow.IfwearebelieversinJesus,wegotoHeavenwhenwe

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die.AndinHeavenwelookforwardtotheNewHeavenandtheNewEarthwhichissomedaygoingtobebroughtintoexistencebyJesus.TheHeavenwegotorightnowisexceedinglyglorious.Jesusisthere.GodtheFatheristhere.GodtheHolySpiritisthere.Thebelieverswhohavegoneonbeforearethere.ButitisnottheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth.Accordingtoscripture,theNewHeavenandNewEarthdon’tcomeintoexistenceuntilJesusreturnsandthenreignsonthisearthfor1,000years.ThereareamultitudeofscripturesabouttheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth–justremember,theydon’talldescribe“Heaven”-theplacewewouldgotoifwediedtoday.

Forinstance,inIsaiah65:25itsays“Thewolfandthelambshallfeedtogether,thelionshalleatstrawliketheox…”.ThecontextofthispassageisdefinitelytalkingabouttheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth.(seeverse17).ThisisadescriptionofourpermanentNewHeavenandNewEarthdwellingplace,butnotadescriptionoftheHeavenwewouldgotoifwedietoday.

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5. WhoWillISeeFirstWhenIGoToHeaven?Psalm73:25

RandyAlcorn,inhisbook,“Heaven”,says“Wemayimaginewewantathousanddifferentthings,butGodistheOnewereallylongfor.Hispresencebringssatisfaction;Hisabsencebringsthirstandlonging.OurlongingforHeavenisalongingforGod.”(Psalm73:25)

WelongforGod,butinourheartofheartsweknowwearenotgoodenoughtobeinHispresence,muchlesstotalkface-to-facewithHim.

Lookatsomepassageswhichtalkaboutthis:

• InExodus,MosesaskedGodifhecouldseeHim.TheLORDsaid“yes”,butHecouldnotletMosesseeHisface,soHeplacedMosesinthecleftofarock,andallowedMosestoseeHisgloryafterHehadpassedbyhim.(Exodus33:18-23).

• TheApostlePaul,inhis1stlettertoTimothy,saysthatJesus(God)is“…dwellinginunapproachablelight,whichnomanhasseen,orcansee.”(ITimothy6:16)

• Sowelongdeeply,deeplyforGod,knowingthat“withoutholinessnoonewillseetheLORD.”(Hebrews12:14)

WhatisthesolutiontothisdeeplongingforGodwhichseemsthatitcanneverbefilled?Well,quiteoftenwefocusonotherpleasuresinlife,hopingtosubstitutethepleasureof,say,children,forthatpleasureofbeinginthepresenceofGodwhichweknowwecanneverhave.Or,perhapswesubstitutemarriage,orfriendship,orfood,orsports,oramillionotherlegitimatepleasures.WeliveforthosepleasuresbecausedeepwithinwefearourlongingtobeinGod’spresencecouldneverbefulfilled.

Butnopleasure,nomatterhowinnocentandsinless,caneverfillthatlongingtoknowGodandbeinHispresence.Heisthesourceofalljoy.EverypleasantthinginourlivescomesfromHim,andstartedwithHim.NothingwouldbepleasantunlessitfirstbeganwithGod.Heistheessenceofpleasant.

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WhenwegettoHeaven,wemaythinkwewanttoseethefacesofourlovedoneswhohavegoneonbefore,becausethatwillbringusaboundingpleasureandjoy–anditwill!ButwhatwereallywantistoseethefaceofGod–seeingHimisthehighestjoy–andsomewhereinoursoulsweknowit.

DoyouthinkGoddidn’tknowallthis?DoyouthinkHedidn’tknowaboutthatdeeplongingwithinusthatcanonlybesatisfiedbybeingwithHim?OfcourseHeknew.HeistheOnewhomadeusthatway.AndHeistheOnewhomadeawayforustobeinHispresenceforever.TheFather,theSonandtheHolySpiritalldecided,longbeforeTheymadeourworld,thattheSonwouldsomedaybebornintoourworldasaman,thenliveaperfectandsinlesslifeasaman,thendieonthecrossasaman,andthenraiseHimselfbacktolifeasaman,andliveforeverasbothGodandman–inordertowipeawaythecurseofsinweareallcarryingonourbacks,andmakeitpossibleforustolivewithTheminHeavensomeday.(IPeter1:20)

That’swhywebowatHisfeet,now,inthislife.

Andnomatterwhowegreatlylongtoseewhenwebreatheourlastbreath,theOnewewillbedesperatelylookingforisJesus.

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6. DidOldTestamentBelieversGotoHeaven,too?Psalm16:8-11,Psalm23:6,Ephesians4:8-10,

Luke16:19-31,Luke23:43

EversincethetimeofGenesis,whenapersonwhobelievedinJesusdied,theirbodywentintothegrave,andtheirsoulwastakensafelyintothepresenceoftheLORD.Everyoneofthemisstilllookingforwardtothetimewhentheirbodywillberesurrectedandre-unitedwiththeirsoul.InthoseOldTestamenttimes,beforeJesuspaidthepriceforoursinsonthecross,whenpeoplebelieversdied,theirsoulswenttoasafe,wonderfulplacecalled“Abraham’sbosom”,or“Paradise”,wheretheywaiteduntilJesusdiedandwasraisedagain,andthepricewaspaidfortheirsins.ThepresenceofGodwasthere(Psalms16:8-11),butitwasn’ttheplacebelieversgotodaywhentheydie.ThoseOldTestamentbelievershadlivedtheirliveslookingforwardtothefactthattheSaviorwouldcomesomedayandpaythepricefortheirsin.AndwhenJesusdied,in33AD,Hewenttothosebelievers,toldthemwhatHehaddone,andthentooktheirsoulswithHimtoHeaven,ThePlaceGodLives.(Ephesians4:8-10).Thatiswheretheyarerightnow.Eversincetheresurrection,everysinglepersonwhohasdiedbelievinginJesushasgoneimmediatelytobewiththeLORDinHeaven,ThePlaceGodLives.(2ndCorinthians5:8)WhenJesusreturns,Hewillresurrectallbodiesofbelieversfromtheirgraves(allbelieversfrombeforetheresurrection,andallbelieversfromaftertheresurrection),combinethemwiththeirsoulswhicharealreadyinheaven,andeachpersonwillgettheirnew,resurrectedbodywhichwillliveforeverwithGodandeachotherintheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth.1stThessalonians4:16&17,1stCorinthians15:20-23,1stCorinthians15:52-54,Revelation7:9-17

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7. WhatistheDifferenceBetween“Heaven”,andthe“NewHeavenandtheNewEarth”?

Revelation21&22

Sincetheresurrection,everypersonwhohasdiedbelievinginJesus(duringbothOldandNewTestamenttimes)isinHeavenwiththeLord.Theyknowtheywillgettheirnewbodiessomeday(whenJesusreturnsintheendtimes),andtheyknowtheywillliveforeverwiththeLordintheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth.RandyAlcorn,inhisbook,“Heaven”,callsthistimeofwaitingfornewbodiesthe“intermediateheaven”.

So…theHeavenyouandIwouldgotoifwediedtodayisthe“intermediateheaven”.AllthatmeansiswewouldstillbewaitingfortheNewHeavenandtheNewEarthtobecreatedforustolivein.WewouldbeinHeaven,withtheLORD,becauseHelivesthere.Wejustwouldn’tyetbeintheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth.

Butjustbecauseitwemightcallit“intermediate”doesn’tmeanitisanylesspeaceful,wonderfulorbeautifulthanourfinalhome-theNewHeavenandNewEarth.Andjustbecausetheydon’thavetheirnew,resurrectedbodiesyetdoesn’tmeanthesoulstheredon’thavesomesortofbody.TheBibletalksaboutsomeofthesepeoplewhoareinthat“intermediateheaven”,andtheydohavebodies,andtheydowearclothes,andtheydohavetheabilitytocommunicate.(asMosesandElijahinMatthew17:3-4,andthemartyredbelieversinthebookofRevelation6:10,whoarecalled“souls”)

Thisisn’tpurgatory,orsoulsleep.WeareverymuchawakeandwiththeLORD,andwearewiththeoneswhohavegoneonbeforeus.Wearen’twaitingtogetmorerighteoussothatwe’llbeworthyofbeingwithGod.We’realreadywithGod.Wearen’tunawareofwhat’sgoingonaroundus–we’reverymuchaliveandawakeandpresentwiththeLord.2ndCorinthians5:8AndweknowthattheNewHeavenandtheNewEarthisstillcoming.GoingtoHeavenissortoflikefinallygettingtoChristmasDaywithallthewonderfulpresents,andknowingthatanevenbetterChristmasDayisjustrightaroundthecorner!!!!

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8. HeavenTimeline

ThetimelineabovehelpstogiveusapictureoftheplaceofHeaveninhistory.Remember,though,thatIamonlypicturingthehistoryofourworldinthistimeline.BecauseHeavenisGod’sdwellingplace,itwasinexistencebeforeGodcreatedtheworld,andwillstillbeinexistenceforallofeternity.

• WhenGodcreatedtheworld,Heaven,thePlaceWhereGodLives,wasalreadythere.FromHeavenGodlookedatHiscreationandsawthatitwasgood.(Genesis1:1-3)

• Fromthattimeon,untilthetimeJesuswasresurrectedfromthedead(about4,000yearslater,Ithink),anypersonwhodiedhavingalreadyplacedtheirfaithintheOne,TrueGod,lookingforwardtotheSaviorHehadpromised,wenttoHeaven.Thatis,theirsoulwenttoHeaven,andtheirbodywentintothegrave.ThoseOldTestamentsoulswenttoapartofHeavencalled“Abraham’sbosom”,or“Paradise”.(seeLuke16:19-31).

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TheysafelywaitedthereforthepointintimewhenJesuswouldbeborn,liveaperfectlife,dieonthecross,andrisefromthedead.AtthattimeHewenttoAbraham’sBosomandgatheredallthesoulswhohadbelievedinHiminallthe4,000yearssincecreation,andjoyouslyproclaimedtothemwhatHehaddone.Iimaginetherewasmuchcheeringandhootingandhollering,andHecarriedthemallwithHimintoHeaven,ThePlaceGodLives.

• EversinceJesus’resurrection,anypersonwhohasdiedhavingtrustedinJesusastheirSavior,goesdirectlytoHeaven,ThePlaceGodLives.Theirsouls,thatis,gotoHeaven.Theirbodiesgointothegrave.2ndCorinthians5:8,John14:1-6

• Sometimeinourfuture,theLordJesuswillreturn.Hisreturnwilltakesevenyears.Lotsofeventswilltakeplaceduringthatsevenyears.Oneofthoseeventswillbethe“rapture”.Itisdescribedin1stThessalonians4:16-20,and1stCorinthians15:51&52andRevelation7:9-17.Attherapture,thebodiesofallthepeoplewhohavediedbelievinginJesus(fromOldTestamentandNewTestamenttimes)areresurrectedasbodieswhichcanliveforeternity,withoutsin,andarere-unitedwiththeirsoulsinHeaven.JoiningthemwillbethosepeoplewhobelieveinJesuswhoarealiveonearthatthetimeoftherapture.Theywillgettheirnewbodies,too–theyjustwon’thavetodiefirst.ThosepeoplethengetreadytoreturnwithJesusattheendofthesevenyears.

• WhenallofusreturnwithJesusattheendofthosesevenyears,thenJesuswillreignasKingonthisearthfor1,000years,amilennium.Heavenwillstillbeinexistence.Godwillstilllivethere.AndthoseofuswhoreturntoearthinournewbodieswithJesuswillbeabletomovefromthisearth,helpingJesusreignasKing,backtoHeaven–backandforth–asweneedto.DuringtheMilenniumtherewillbemanypeopleonearthinregular,unresurrectedbodies,too.Theywillcontinuetohavechildrenduringthatthousandyears,andthosechildrenwillgettheirchancetobelieveornotbelieveinJesus.Revelation20,Revelation19:11-16,Revelation20:6.

• ThosebelievingpeoplewhoarestillonearthandwatchJesusreturnattheendofthesevenyears(theyhavelivedthroughthesevenyearsoftribulationandhavebelievedinJesusduringthattime)willliveforMillenniuminregularbodies(liketheoneswehavetoday)–notresurrectedbodies.Fromthetimeoftherapture,upuntiltheendoftheMillennium,everyonewhobelievesinJesusbutdiesbeforetheendoftheMillennium,goesimmediatelytoHeavenwitharesurrectedbody.Theirsoulandtheirnewbodygotogether.(Revelation14:13).

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• AttheendoftheMilennium,threethingshappen:1. AllMillennium-believers,whodon’talreadyhavetheirresurrectedbodies,getthem.2. Thenallbelieversfromalltime,standnexttoJesusintheirresurrectedbodiesand

watchHimcondemnallunbelieverstoeternaldeathatTheGreatWhiteThronejudgment.

3. ThentheywatchHimbringdownfromHeaventheirnewhome,theNewHeavenandtheNewEarth,wheretheywilllivewithHimforeternity.(Revelation20:11-15)(Revelation21:1-4)TherewillbenounbelieversintheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth.(Revelation21:27)

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9. CanOurLovedOnesSeeUsfromHeaven?Hebrews12:1

InChapter11ofthebookofHebrewsthereisalongandimpressivelistofOldTestamentbelieversinJesuswhohadalreadygoneontoheaven.Thislistcontainssmallstories,examplesofthelivestheylivedastheywaitedfortheirSaviortoappear:“…throughfaith(they)subduedkingdoms,workedrighteousness,obtainedpromises,stoppedthemouthsoflions,quenchedtheviolenceoffire,escapedtheedgeofthesword,outofweaknessweremadestrong,becamevaliantinbattle,turnedtoflightthearmiesofthealiens.Womenreceivedthedeadraisedtolifeagain.Othersweretortured,notacceptingdeliverance,thattheymightobtainabetterresurrection.Stillothershadtrialofmockingandscourging,yes,andofchainsandimprisonment.Theywerestoned,theyweresawnintwo,weretempted,wereslainwiththesword.Thewanderedaboutinsheepskinsandgoatskins,beingdestitute,afflicted,tormented…”

Andthen,afterthatunbelievablelist,theLORDtellsusinChapter12,verse1:SincealltheseOldTestamentsaintsarenowwatching–witnessing–yourlives–makethemproud!Putasideeverythingthattemptsyoutobelazy,andgetthejobdonetheyworkedsohardon!(mywords)

Yes–Ithinkourlovedonescanseeusfromheaven…andtheyarenotjustsmilingandsaying–“ohhowgreattoseehowhappytheyare”….orfrowningandsaying–“oh–couldn’ttheLORDdosomethingtomaketheirlifebetter?”....Instead,theyarecheeringusonwhenwebelieveGodandwalkbyfaith…andiftheycouldtalktous,they’dbesaying:“LiveforJesus!”Don’tholdback!

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10. HasGodEverTakenSomeonetoHeavenandThenHadThemComeBackandTellPeopleaboutit?

Revelation1:19,2ndCorinthians12:1-10,Luke16:19-31,Exodus24:9-18,

Yes.Ithinktherehavebeenthreetimesrecordedinscripture:First,MosesandtheEldersofIsrael,inExodus24,climbedupMtSinaitomeetwiththeLord,anditseemstheyfoundthemselvesinHisthroneroom–muchmorethantheyexpected,Ithink.HowdoIknowtheywereinHeaven?Justalittlehint…inverse10itsays“andtheysawtheGodofIsrael.AndtherewasunderHisfeetasitwereapavedworkofsapphirestone…”Thisclear,crystal-blueflooringisjustlikewhattheApostleJohnsawinRevelationchapter4,verse6.“Beforethethronetherewasaseaofglass,likecrystal…”JohnisdescribingtheHeavenlythroneroomofGodinRevelation4.IthinkMosesisalsodescribingtheHeavenlythroneroomofGodinExodus24.(Exodus24:9-18)Next,theApostlePaultellsushehadtheexperienceofgoingtowhathecalled“thethirdheaven”,andthencomingbacktoearth.By“thethirdheaven”hemeantnottheheavenasinthesky,andnottheheavenasinthesolarsystem,butthe“thirdheaven”,inotherwords,“Heaven,thedwellingplaceofGod.”Hedidn’ttellusanymoreaboutit,though,exceptthathewentandsawandheardthingstherethathecouldneverrepeat.(2ndCorinthians12:1-10)Andthen,thebigoneofcourseistheApostleJohn,whowascaughtuptoheaventoseethewholevisionoftheRevelation.EverythinghesawandheardhewrotedownandgavetousinthebookofRevelation.Godtoldhimto.(Revelation1:19)(Revelation4:1&2)

InallthreeofthesecasesweknowitwaslegitimatebecauseGodmadesuretheirwordswererecordedintheBible–HisWord.ThereisnootherpersonwhohasevergonetoheavenandcomebackwhosewordswererecordedintheBible.Therefore,wecan’ttakeanythinganyoneelsesaysaboutheavenasabsolutetruth.WhattheysayalwayshastobecomparedtotheBibletobesureitagreeswithwhatweknowforsureistrue.

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Therearemanybooksoutthereintoday’smarketwhichhavebeenwrittenbypeoplepurportingtohavegonetoheaven,comeback,andnowwanttotellusaboutit.There’snowaywecanknowforsuretheyaretrue.Don’tbelievethemsimplybecausetheysayit’strue.Comparewhattheysaytoscripture,andthenifanythingdoesn’tmatchupatall….theyweren’treallythere!

IhighlyrecommendIrwinLutzer’sbook,OneMinuteAfterYouDie,especiallychapter1,“AttemptingtoPeekBehindtheCurtain”foragentleandBiblicalanswertothequestionofanyonespeakingtousfromtheafterlife,orfromanear-deathexperience.

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11. HowlongDoesitTaketoGetToHeaven?

1stCorinthians15:52

“Ithappensinaninstant.It’slikeopeningyoureyes–you’resuddenlythere!That’sbecauseHeavenisn’tafarawayplacebutistheplacewhereGodis.Hejusttakesyou

there.“(takenfrom:“801QuestionsKidsAskAboutGodwithanswersfromtheBible–Tyndale)

1stCorinthians15:52describestherapture–thetimewhenallbelieversarecaughtuptoHeaventojointheLORDintheairandpreparetoreturnwithHimtoreignonearthforonethousandyears.Itisnotspecificallydescribingwhathappenswheneachofusdies.ButIthinkitisagoodbenchmarkforustolooktoforhowquicklytheLORDaccomplishesthingswhentimenolongerhasaholdonus.IbelievethatwhenIdie,myexitfromthisworldoftimeandpainandsinwillbejustasfastas1stCorinthiansdescribesit.“Inthetwinklingofaneye.”SuddenlyImovefrombeinginmybody,andthenextthingIknow–I’mseeingJesus!

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12. HowLongHasHeavenBeenThere?Isaiah45:6&7Isaiah44:8

Theanswerissimple.HeavenisGod’sDwellingPlace.IthasbeenthereaslongasGodhas.AndthereisonlyoneGod.Hehasalwaysbeen,andwillalwaysbe.ThereisnobeginningwithGod,andnoend.ThereforeHeavenhasalwaysbeenthere…andwillalwaysbethere.

Isaiah45:6&7“ThattheymayknowfromtherisingofthesuntoitssettingthatthereisnoonebesidesMe.IamtheLordandthereisnoother.Iformthelightandcreatedarkness,Imakepeaceandcreatecalamity;ItheLord,doallthesethings.”

Isaiah44:8“Donotfearnorbeafraid;HaveInottoldyoufromthattime,anddeclaredit?Youaremywitnesses.IsthereaGodbesidesMe?Indeedthereisnootherrock;Iknownotone.”

AlittlehumoronIsaiah44:8.GodHimself,whoknowseverything,says“Nope,Isuredon’tknowofanotherGod!”.Ha!

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Questions13-19ManyofthequestionsweaskaboutHeavencanbeansweredfromtheappearancesofJesusafterHisresurrection.Why?BecauseafterHisresurrection,Jesushadaresurrectedbody–thebodyHewillhaveforalleternity–thebodyHeislivingwithrightnowinheaven.OurresurrectedbodieswillbelikeHis…soherearesomeofourHeavenquestionswhichIthinkwillbeansweredaswelookthroughseveralresurrectionsaccounts:

Howmanyanswerstothefollowingquestionscanyoufindintheseresurrectionandpost-resurrectionaccounts?

Matthew28:9&10

Mark16:9-14,19

Luke24:13-31

Luke24:36-53

John20:19-29

John21:1-14

Acts1:1-11

13. IsHeavenaspiritualplace,aphysicalplace,orboth?14. Howdifferentwillourbodiesbefromtheoneswehavenow?

15. WhatLanguageWillWeSpeak?Willweknoweachother?16. WillWeEat?Willwedomeaningfulwork?

17. WillWeBeMadeWhole?Willwehavescars?18. WillWeRememberEachOther?Willwecontinuerelationships?

19. WillWeBeAwareofTimePassing?

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20. WhenIDieWillIBecomeanAngel?

1stCorinthians6:3,Hebrews1:14,Hebrews2:16

Angelsarecreatedbeings.Andsoarehumans.Buttheyarenotthesametypeofbeings,andtheyneverwillbethesame.Angelshaveapurpose–andthatistocarryoutthecommandsofGod,topraiseGod,andtotakecareofthehumanswhowillsomedaybeinHeavenwithGod.Hebrews1:14.Infact,1stCorinthians6:3sayshumanswillsomedayjudgeangels.AndinHebrews2:16theLordremindsusthatHediedforhumans,butnotforangels.Althoughangelsarewonderful,wewouldneverwanttobeangels.InHeavenwewillalwayswanttobejustwhatGodalwayswantedustobe–humanswithnosin.

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21. CanGodTakeYoutoHeavenifYou’reNotDeadYet?

Genesis5:24,2ndKings2,2ndThessalonians4:16&17

“Godcandoanything.HecantakeapersontoheavenanytimeHelikes,evenifthatpersonhasnotdied.Andinfact,theBibletellsabouttwopeoplewhohadthatawesomeexperience:EnochandElijah.(Genesis5:24,2ndKings2)Godtookthemdirectlytoheavenbeforetheydied.TheywereagoodexampletousthatsomedaywhenJesusreturns,therewillbemanypeoplewhoarealiveandarebelieversinHimwhomHewilltaketoheavenbeforethey

die.”(2ndThessalonians4:16&16)

(takenfrom“801QuestionsKidsAskAboutGodwithAnswersfromtheBible”–Tyndale)

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22. WillIStillHaveFeelingsinHeaven?

Acts2:28

“Yes!Peopleinheavenhavelotsoffeelings–allgoodones.Peopleinheavenarefilledwithjoy!(Acts2:28)Youwillbebusysmiling,whistling,andsingingforjoy.Whenyouarenotdoingthat,youwillbekickingupyourheelsandjumping.Occasionalhigh-fiveswillinterruptthejoviality.Thetimingwillbeperfect,andyou’llloveit.YouwillbehappybecauseyouwillbewithGodandbecauseallsin,death,andsadnesswillbegoneforever.Andthinkofthejoy

whenyouseeyourfamilyandfriends.Heavenwillbeaplaceofgreatjoyandgladness–greatfeelingsallaround.”

(takenfrom“801QuestionsKidsAskAboutGodwithAnswersfromtheBible”–Tyndale)

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23. IsItOKForMeToWanttoTalkToMyLoved-oneWhoHasDied?

Deuteronomy18:9-12,Leviticus19:31,Isaiah8:19-20,Psalm116:15

ThereisscripturewhichisverycleartotellusthatGoddoesnotwantustotrytoactuallycommunicatewiththedead…inthesenseofgoingtoamediumorwitchorsomeonewitha“crystalball”,orevenjustourselves,alone,inorderto“bringbackthedead”andtalkwiththem,orevengetinstructionorguidancefromthem.ThisisabsolutelyforbiddenbyGod.Deuteronomy18:9-12,Leviticus19:31,Isaiah8:19-20

ButtolieonyourpillowatnightandtalktoyourhusbandwhoisnowwiththeLord,asifheistherebesideyou,becauseofthecomfortitgivesandbecauseitfeelssomewhatnormalafterthechaosofadeath–IwouldsaythatisnotwhattheLORDiscondemningintheabovepassages.Iwouldguessthatthistypeof“talkingtothedead”isreallyaprayertoGodthatHewillconveyyourthoughtstotheoneyouusedtosharesomanyofyourthoughtswith.TheLORDalsoholdsveryprecioushislovedoneswhodie.Heunderstands.(Psalm116:15)

Thewarningisthere,though.Ifyoufeelyourselfsteppingoverthelineandwantingtoactuallycommunicatewiththedead…orifyousensethatyouaregettingallyourcomfortfromtalkingtotheonewhoisgone…thenbackupandtakeadeepbreath.It’stheLORDyoucanturntowithyourgrief–HeistheOneWhocanandwillbringyouthroughthedepthsofsadnessandputyourfeetonsolidground.Don’ttrustyourdeadlovedonetodoitforyou–trustJesus.

Now…thereareseriousreasonstheLORDcutsusofffromthepossibilityofbringingsomeonebackfromthedeadtocommunicatewiththem.Probablytherearereasonswewillneverunderstand,buthereareafewwecan:

1. Thepersonwearelongingtotalktoagainhasnodesiretocomeback–theyareinamuchbetterplace,andwhywouldwewantthembackhereagain?

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2. Satancanusethissituationtodeceiveus–andcanusehisowndemonsto“speak”tousthrougha“medium”,orthroughatrance,sothatwearethinkingwearetalkingtoourlovedone,butinsteaddemonsarecruellyimpersonatingourlovedones,fillingourmindswithuntruths,andcausingustoneverletgoofthepast.

3. Whenweaskadviceofalovedonewhohasgoneon,weareactuallyinsultingGod–asifwewouldacceptthewisdomofonewhohaddiedmorethanthewisdomofGodHimself.

4. WeendupworshippingsomeoneweloveinsteadofworshipingGod.That’sbadforus…badforthepeoplearoundus…andanawfulthingtodotoGod.

5. IfthepeopleweloveareinheavenwiththeLORD,theverylastthingtheywouldwantustodoistoworshipthem.InheaventheyhaveseenJesus,andtheyknowhowtotallywonderfulandamazingHeis,andtheywouldbeoffendedifwewouldputtheminHisplace,oraskthemforadvicewhentheyknowHisadviceismuchbetter.

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24. WhyDoPeopleHavetoDie?

Genesis2:16-17,John3:16,Romans3:23,Romans6:23,Hebrews9:27

“Peoplediebecauseofsin.WhenGodcreatedthefirsthumanbeings,theyweren’tsupposedtodie.Hecreatedthemtonevergrowoldorwearout.

ButthentheydisobeyedGod,andsinanddeathenteredtheworld.Genesis2:16-17Fromthatpointon,everypersonbornhasbeenbornasinnerintoasinfulworld.Withsincamedeath,

Romans3:23,andsoplants,animalsandpeoplestartedtodie.Everypersonhastodie.Hebrews9:27.ButpeoplecanbeeternallyinheavenwithGodiftheytrustinChristandask

Godtoforgivetheirsins.John3:16Romans6:23Inheavenwearen’tbrokenanymore.Thereisnosicknessorpainordyingthere.”

(takenfrom“801QuestionsKidsAskAboutGodwithAnswersfromtheBible”–Tyndale)

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25. WillThereBeAnySininHeaven?CouldweuseourFreeWillandChoosetoSin?

1stCorinthians6:9-10,Revelation21:26-27,Revelation21:4,2ndCorinthians5:21,Romans6:23

Theaboveversesstateclearlythattherewillbenosininheaven.1stCorinthians6:9-10,Revelation21:26&27Notever.Nosinwilleverenterheaveninthefirstplace.Andnosinwillevertakeplacethere.Period.

Thinkaboutit:Revelation21:4tellsusthatdeathwillnotbeinheaven.Romans6:23tellsusthereasonanyonediesisbecauseofsin.Ifthere’snotgoingtobeanydeathinheaven,thenautomaticallyweknowtherewillbenosin.Couldn’tbe.Becauseifthereweresin,therewouldbedeath.

Nowsomehaveasked:Well,won’twestillhavefreewillinheaven?Ifwedon’thavefreewillanymore,thenwecan’tbe“choosing”toloveGod.Wewouldbelikerobots.Butifwestillhavefreewill,thenperhapswecouldstillchoosetosin,justlikeAdamandEvedid.Justliketheangelsoncedid.

Theanswertothatissimple.Wewon’tbelikeAdamandEveortheangelswhosinned.Wewon’tbeinnocent.We’llberighteous.WewillhavetherighteousnessofGodaspartofournature.(2ndCorinthians5:21).It’snotthatwemightwanttosinbecausewehavefreewill.It’sthatwewon’thaveanydesiretosinbecausewehavethenatureofChrist.Wewon’tbetemptedtosin,becausewewillberepulsedbysin.RandyAlcorn,in“Heaven”saiditthisway:“Myinabilitytobearabbitdoesn’tviolatemyfreewill–it’sthesimplerealityofmynature.”

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26. WillOurLovedOnesGreetUsWhenWeGettoHeaven?

John20:19-29,Luke9:29-33,2ndCorinthians5:8,1stThessalonians4:18

Ithinkthisquestionhastwoparts:

1. Willweknoweachotherwhenwegettoheaven?Thisonewecanprettyeasilyanswerfromtwoofthescripturepassageslistedabove.InJohn20:19-29,weseeJesusappearingtoHisdisciplesafterHehadbeenresurrected.HewasinHisnew,resurrected,physicalbody,andtheyrecognizedHim.InLuke9:29-33weseeMosesandElijahappearwithJesusontheMountofTransfiguration.ThediscipleswhowerewithJesusknewthatthesetwomenwereMosesandElijah.Hadtheyeverseenthembefore?No.Thenhowdidtheyrecognizethem?MostprobablybecausetheirpersonalitieswerethesameastheyhadbeendescribedinJewishhistory.Theirpersonalitiesandtheuniquenessoftheirbeingcamethroughintheirheavenlybodies.MosesandEliljahdidn’thaveresurrectedbodiesthen,andtheydon’thavethemnow.Butstill,theirappearancewassuchthattheywererecognizedbythedisciples.

2. Willourlovedonesknowwearecomingandbetheretogreetuswhenwearrive?

AsfarasIcantell,therearenoscripturepassageswhichtelluswhatourarrivalinheavenwillbelike,exceptthatweknowwewillbeimmediatelywiththeLORD.(2ndCorinthians5:8).Butthereisapassagein1stThessalonians4:18whichsayswecanbecomfortedwiththethoughtofthegrandreunionwewillhavewithourlovedoneswhenweallgetournew,resurrectedbodiesatthetimeoftherapture.SoIthinkwecanjusttrusttheLORDwiththosefirstfewmomentsinheaven.WewillbewithHim,anditwillbewonderful,andtheoneswhohavebeenwatchingourlivesonearthwillcomegreetuswheneverGodwantsthemto.WecantrustHimtotallytomakethisthemostexhilaratingandcomfortingmomentsinourlives.

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27. DoBabiesWhoDieGoToHeaven?

2ndSamuel12:22-23

WhenKingDavidlosthisnewbornbabytodeath,hesaidthesefamouswords:“Andhesaid,‘Whilethechildwasalive,Ifastedandwept;forIsaid,“WhocantellwhethertheLORDwillbegracioustome,thatthechildmaylive?’Butnowheisdead;whyshouldIfast?CanIbringhimbackagain?Ishallgotohim,butheshallnotreturntome.”2ndSamuel12:22-23

Thosewordshavecomfortedmanyparentsofbabieswhohavedied–forKingDavidknewthathewouldseehisbabyagainsomeday.GodmadesurethosewordsendedupintheBible–thebookwhereeverywordistrueandtobetrusted.

Yes,babieswhodiegotoheaven.Howdoesthatwork,sincethosebabiesarebornsinners(asallofusare)?Wedon’tknow.Butwedoknowtheygothere–soitwillbeaquestionweasktheLORDsomeday.

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28. WillBabiesStillBeBabiesinHeaven?

Isaiah11:6-9

Thisisjustathought–maybenoneofusshouldtakethisassomethingtostakeourliveson–butinIsaiah11:6-9,theMilleniumandthentheNewHeavenandtheNewEartharebeingdescribed.

Therearetwophrasesinthispassagewhichdefinitelymentionbabiesandyoungchildren:“..alittlechildshallleadthem…”,and“…thenursingchildshallplaybythecobra’shole,andtheweanedchildshallputhishandinthevipersnest….”

ThemainthrustofthosestatementsisthatthisNewHeavenandNewEarthwillnotbedangerouseventolittle,curioushandsandfeet,andthatsmallchildrenwillhaveasmuchwisdomasadults.

Butalso–inlightofthequestionweareaskinghere–whatarebabiesandtoddlersdoingintheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth?Weknowpeoplewillnotbeproducingchildrenthere,forthereisnomarriagethere.

RandyAlcornsuggests,andIlikeit,thatthesebabiesmightbethosewhodiedasbabies,andthenaregiventheopportunitytogrowupastheyenterheaven.Theirmothersmightpossiblybegiventheirlittleonesbackintotheirarmstocuddlethemandwatchthemgrowtoadulthood.

Again,justathought–butwow!–soamazingifthat’sthewayitworks!

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29. WhatAgeWillWeBe?1stCorinthians15:3-8

Thisisreallymoreofaguess…nothingdefinitiveonthis–justthefactthatJesus,inHisresurrectedbody,appearedtobeaboutthesameageasHewaswhenHedied.HisfollowerssawHimandrecognizedHimafterHisdeathandresurrection.1stCorinthians15:3-8IfHehadappearedtobeadifferentage,theymightnothavebeensosureitwasHim.

So,sinceJesuswasabout33whenHedied,perhapsthatistheperfectageforHeaven.

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30. AreThereDifferentLevelsofHeaven?2ndCorinthians12:1&2,1stCorinthians3:10-15,Romans6:23,

John13:12-17,John17:24Paulmentionsin2ndCorinthians12:1&2thatatonepointhewascaughtupintothe“thirdheaven”,andsawandheardthingsthatwerebasicallyinexpressible.Fromthewords“thirdheaven”wemightwonderiftherearedifferentlevelsofheaven…inotherwords…thatsomepeople,whentheygettoheaven,willhaveabetter,higherplacetolive,basedonthelifetheylivedonearth.But,firstofall,the“thirdHeaven”Pauldescribesissimply“Heaven–thePlaceWhereGodlives”–itis“third”onlyinthesensethatitwasn’ttheatmosphere(thefirstheaven)orouterspace(thesecondheaven).Butthen,also,thereisnowaydifferentlevelsofheaven–orsomepeoplewhohaveanicerplacethanothersinheaven–isatallcompatiblewitheverythingelseweseeinscriptureaboutHeavenandhowwegetthere.NoneofusgetstoHeavenbecauseofthedeedswedoonearth.Romans6:23.NotaoneofusdeservesHeaven,nomatterhowmanygreatorlovingthingswehavedoneonthisearth.WeallgotoHeavenbasedononething,andonethingonly–Jesusdiedonthecrosstorescueusfromoursinfulness,andwhenwegotoHeaventheonlythingthatcountsis:DidwebelieveinJesus?DosomeofusdomanymorethingsforJesus–muchmorelivingbyfaith–thanothers?Yes,butdoesthatgetusabetterplaceinheaven?Itjustcouldn’tbe.WeareonlyabletodothosethingsbyGod’sgrace.Wellthen,whatabouttherewardswearetoldwewillgetattheJudgmentSeatofChrist,whenallofourworksoneartharetriedbyfire?2ndCorinthians5:9&10.

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1stCorinthians3:10-15.Bothofthesepassagesdefinitelysaytherearerewardsforlivingbyfaithaftersalvation.Butneitherofthemsuggeststhatthoserewardsmakeusanybetterthananyoneelseoncewegettoheaven.TheysaythatwewillbefullofjoyatseeingourworkswhichwehavedoneforChrist,andthatotherswillbemomentarilysadwhentheyseehowfewworkstheyhavedoneforChrist.(remember,Jesuswillwipeawayalltears).Infact,therearemanyplacesintheNewTestament,andinJesus’ownstatements,thatwouldleadustobelievethatthosewhoarethegreatestinHeavenwillbetheoneswhoaretheservantsofothers(John13:12-17)…andthattheonly“Glory”wewilleverwanttoseeinheavenistheGloryofJesus(John17:24).Wewillsurelynotcareatallaboutourownglory,oraboutlivinginabetterlevelofHeaventhansomeonewhojust“squeaked”in.

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31. WillWeHaveWorktoDoinHeaven?

Matthew25:23

Matthew25:23seemstoindicatethatoneofthemostrewardingthingsaboutHeavenwillbetheworkwewillhavetodothere.Averyclearrewardforfaithfulnessonearthisthefactthatwewillgettobefaithfulalsoinheaven.Ithinkwewillgettodoworkthatwelove,andwewillloveworking!

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32. WillweBathe,Sleep,UseBathrooms?

Isaiah25:6,Genesis2:2,Revelation7:16

Isaiah25:6makesitprettyclearthatwewilleat(feast)inHeaven,andthatGodHimselfrested–sonothingwrongwiththat.Genesis2:2AndthatwewillneverhungerinHeaven.Revelation7:16Also,rememberthatJesus,afterHisresurrection,bothcookedandate,provingthateatingwasgoingtobenotonlyOK,butalsoenjoyableinournewbodies.So…willwehavedigestivesystemsalotliketheoneswehavenow?Nowaytoknowthatforsureuntilwegetthere…butJesushadadigestivesystemwhileonearth(beforeHisresurrection)….soforsurethereisnothingsinfulabouthavingadigestivesystem…noreasontothinkGodwouldhavetoabolishit.Willweneedtoreplenishourenergy?Maybe.GodrestedwhenHecreatedtheearth.MaybeitwasmoretheideaofstoppingandcelebratingandenjoyingwhatHehaddone.Andmaybethat’swhatwewilldoinHeaven.Willweenjoybathingorshowering?Don’tknowwhynot.Willwegetdirty…sweaty?Perhaps.Dirtisnotsin.Neitherissweat.TheyarejusttheresultofgettingclosetoGod’screationorworkinghard.Wecanonlyassumethatifitispleasant,andnotsinful,manyofthesameactivitiesweenjoynowwewillalsoenjoyinHeaven…andawholelotmore.

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33. WhyDoesJesusSayWe’llHaveAMansion?WillWeEvenCare?

Isaiah65:21,John14:2

Ithinktheword“mansions”inJohn14:2(alsotranslated“rooms”inotherversions”),combinedwiththepictureweseeinIsaiah65:21,givesustheideaof“spacious”and“cozy”atthesametime.Nothuge–butplentyofspaceforallwewilleverneed.Willwecarewhetherweliveinamansionoralittlecottage?Probablynot.Willwewantsomethingbetterorbiggerthanwhatweget?Nope.Inourdiscussiongroupssomehavesuggestedthatperhapseachperson’s“mansion”willbecustom-designedbyGodtobeexactlyperfectforthatperson.Wouldn’tthatbefun?!!!Wehaveeveryreasontohaveahugelevelofexcitementaboutwhatiswaitingforusintheplacewecanbarelyimagine.

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34. CanPeopleWhoCommitSuicideGotoHeaven?Mark3:28-30,Revelation7:17,Hebrews9:27,Romans5:9&10,

John10:28-30Manypeoplehavethisfear,eitherforthemselves,orforsomeonetheylovewhocommittedsuicide.Theideais:HowcananyonegotoHeaveniftheycommitasinfortheverylastthingtheydoonearth?HowcanGodforgivethissin,whentheydiecommittingit,andneverhavetimetoaskforforgiveness?Butthequestionitselfrevealssomethingwedon’tunderstandaboutgoingtoHeaven.Wedon’tgotoHeavenbecauseweconfesseverypossiblesinbeforewedie.WegotoHeavenbecauseJesusdiedonthecrossandpaidthepriceforeverysingleoneofoursinsinourwholelives.WhenJesusdiedonthecross,hisdeathpaidthepriceforeverysinyoueverdiddo,andeverysinyoueverwilldo…andyoudon’tgettherewardofheavenbecauseyoukeeparunninglogofyoursinsandmakesureyouconfesseachoneofthem.Ifthatwerethecase,noneofuswouldmakeittoHeaven,becausetherearesinswehavecommittedthatwehaveforgotten…orthatwejustweren’tawareof.Thereisonlyone“unpardonable”sin.AndthatisthesinofnotbelievinginJesus.Mark3:28-30.AtthemomentyouplaceyourfaithinJesus,allofyoursinsarecoveredunderHisblood,andafteryoubelieve,whentheLORDlooksatyoufromHeaven,Hedoesn’tseeyoursinsatall.HeseestherighteousnessofChrist.So…ifabelieverinJesusdoesthemosthorriblethingimaginable–andtakeshisownlife–ofcoursethatisasin.ButthatsinhadalreadybeenforgivenatthetimehebelievedonJesus–andhewillgotoHeavenandmeettheLORDwhenhebreatheshislastbreath.Willthatbeagladreunion?Yes.Willthatbelieverwhojustcommittedsuicidebehumiliatedthathecommittedsuchahorribleact?Yes.ButJesuswillwipeawayallthetearsfromhiseyes.Revelation7:17

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Cananon-believerinJesusgotoHeavenifhe/shecommitssuicide?No.Why?BecausetheyneverbelievedinJesus…andnowthereisnomorechancetodoso.Hebrews9:27“Itisappointeduntomenoncetodie,butafterthisthejudgment”.

So,let’saskthisquestionthreeways:

a. CanabelieverwhocommitssuicidegotoHeaven?Yes,becausethatbelieverhadEverlastingLifefromthemomenthe/shebelieved.Everlastinglife,basedontherighteousnessofJesus,neverends.It’severlasting.

b. Cananon-believerwhocommitssuicidegotoHeaven?No.Notbecausehe/shecommittedsuicide,butbecausehe/sheneverbelievedinJesus.Therearenosecondchancesafterdeath.Hebrews9:27

c. Doescommittingsuicidemakeyouanon-believer?Canitcanceloutyoureverlastinglife?No.AftergenuinebeliefinJesus,nothingevercancanceloutyoureverlastinglife.Romans5:9&10,John10:28-30,Revelation7:17

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35. WillwegettomeetAdam&EveandotherOldTestamentpeople?

Matthew8:11

Jesussaid,inMatthew8:11,“AndIsaytoyouthatmanywillcomefromeastandwest,andsitdownwithAbraham,Isaac,andJacobinthekingdomofheaven.”

WhenJesussaidthis,HewascommentingonhowimpressedHewaswiththefaithoftheRomancenturionwhohadaverysickservant.ThisGentileRomanbelievedJesuswaswhoHesaidHewas…GodHimself….andthatbeliefbroughthimtoJesuswithaproblemhecouldnotsolve.ThatbeliefwasthekindoffaithJesuswaslookingforineverysinglepersonHetalkedto.ThatkindoffaithwasgoingtoushertheGentile,Romancenturianintothekingdomofheavensomeday,wherehewouldhaveanever-endingrelationshipwithallpeopleoffaith,bothJewsandGentiles,fromOldTestamenttimes,andNewTestamenttimes.

Ifwealsohavethatkindoffaithwewillno-doubt-about-italsobeinthekingdomofheavensomeday,alongsidecountlessothers,includingtheRomancenturianandthepeopleoffaithfromtheOldTestament.

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36. WillwekeepongrowingspirituallyinHeaven? �Ephesians3:18-19

Whatmakesusgrowspiritually?FeedingontheWordofGod.Andwhereisthatspiritualgrowthheaded?Whatisthegoalwearereachingtoward?KnowingGodbetter.KnowingJesuscompletely.KnowingtheHolySpiritasifwehavewalkedwithHimforever.

WillweeverknowGodsowellthatwefeelwehavenoneedtoexploreHimfurther?No.Idon’tthinkthatwillbepossible,eventhoughwehaveallofeternitytodoit.So,lookatEphesians3:18-19,andrejoicewithmethatwehaveforevertotryto“comprehendwhatisthewidthandlengthanddepthandheight,andtheknowtheloveofChrist(whichpassesknowledge),thatwemaybefilledwiththefullnessofGod.”

Andevenafterweareaneternityintoforever,IthinktherewillbestillmorewewanttolearnaboutHim.Wewillkeepongrowingspiritually…becausethereisnoendtoGod.

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37. WillIbeabletogetahuginHeaven?IfIlostaleginthislife,willIhavetwolegsinHeaven?

Luke6:21-23,

Ithinktheunderlyingpointofthesetwoquestionsis:WillIhaveacompletebodyinHeaven,withthesameneedfor,andabilitytoexpress,loveandemotionasIhavenow?

IntheSermonontheMount,JesuswarnedHisfollowersthatdaysofpersecutionandhardshipmaycomeforthosewhobelieveinHim.ButHealsopaintedapictureofoureternity–andsaidwewilllaugh,befilledwithfood,andrejoice,andleapforjoy!Luke6:21-23.Ican’tthinkofabetterdescriptionofpeople,experiencingandsharingemotionsjustlikewehavenow…inbodiesthatarecomplete,lookingjustliketheydonow.Twolegs,twoarms,twoeyes,onenose?Yes!Hugs?Oh,yes!

ButJesusstillhadscarsafterHewasresurrected,didn’tHe?Hisbodydidn’tcompletelyhealandgobacktonormal,becauseweknowHisscarsremained.John20:24-29.

LookatActs1:3andaskyourselfwhythosescarsmighthaveremained.“…towhomHealsopresentedHimselfaliveafterHissufferingbymanyinfallibleproofs,beingseenbythemduringfortydaysandspeakingofthethingspertainingtothekingdomofGod.”It’snotthatHisscarsdidnotheal.Ofcoursetheyhealed.It’sthatHeelectedtokeepthosescarsaslivingproofofwhoHewasandwhatHehadaccomplished…foreternity.

Ourscarsarenotasymbolofuspurchasinganyoneelse’ssalvation;Hisare.Iwillgladlyreceivemyperfectresurrectedbodysomeday,andgiveupmyscars…andleapforjoyeverytimeIlookatHis.

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38. WillHeavenbeliketheworldweliveinnow?�

Romans8:20-25,John20:1-7

Romans8:20-25wrapsitselfaroundthethoughtthatthegroaning,flooding,hurricane-ing,volcano-ing,earthquake-ingworldweliveinrightnowisanxiouslyawaitingthedaywhentheGodwhocreateditwillchangeitintotheworlditwasalwaysmeanttobe.Theuniverseisalsowaitingtoberesurrected.

Andwhathappensinresurrection?Well,thinkofJesus’bodyasHediedonthecross.Thatbodydiedandwaslaidinthetomb.ButwhenHerosefromthedeadonthethirdday,wherewasthatdeadbody?Itwasnotinthetomb.John20:1-7.Jesusdeadbodyhadnotdisappeared.Ithadbeenresurrected.Changedfrommutilatedanddead….intoperfect,complete,alive,physical,andeternal.HisactualdeadbodyhadbeenusedastheDNAforHisforeverphysicalresurrectedbody.

That’swhatresurrectionis.It’sphysicalandeternal.Andso,ourdyingworld,waitingforresurrectionthesameasweare,willsomedaybeusedastheDNAforourforever,resurrectedworld:TheNewHeavenandtheNewEarth.

Willithavemountains,rivers,plains,dirt,sand,air?…wewillsee,won’twe?ButIthinkwecanassumethatjustlikeJesus’resurrectedbodywassosimilartothephysicalbodyHelivedinonearth,ourphysicalNewHeavenandNewEarthwillberecognizabletous.Itwilllookandfeelandmaybeevensmell…likehome,butwithnomoresin,nomore“accidentsofnature”,nomorepain,nomorefear.

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39. WillSatanstillshowupinHeavenwhenIamthere?

Job1:6-12,Revelation12:7-12,Revelation20:7-10

Iknowthismightsoundstrange,buttheangelwhorebelledagainstGod,temptedAdamandEvetorebelagainstGod,co-ordinatedtheactionsofevilmentoputtheSonofGodtodeathonthecross,andsincethenhasbeentryingharderandhardertowreckourworldandourliveswiththeawfulnessofsin…thatangel,namedSatan,hasbeenallowedtoshowupinHeaveneveryonceinawhile.Hehasbeenallowedto“accuse”believersbeforetheLord,almostlikeheisinacourttrial.HehasbeenallowedtomakethecasethatthosewhocallthemselvesbelieversinGodareactuallystillrottensinners,justliketheywerebeforetheybelieved.WeseeaninstanceofthisinJob1:6-12.

Thereisn’ttimeheretotrytofigureoutwhyGodhasallowedthis.WejustknowfromscripturethatHehas.But,inRevelation12:7-12theLordshowsusthetimewhenSataniskickedoutofhisprivilegeofappearinginHeavenonceandforall.IthappensafterthesevenyearsofTribulationhasbegunintheendtimes.Satanhasdonemuch,muchdamageduringthefirstpartofthatsevenyears,andthenMichaelthearchangelandhisarmyofangelsgetthego-aheadfromGodtobattleSatanoutofHeaven,andtheolddeviliscastdowntotheearth.HenevergetstoappearbeforeGodto“accusethebrethren”everagain.

FastforwardtoafterthereturnofJesustoearth–weseeSatanlockedupinHellforathousandyears.Then,afterJesusreignsasKingonearthfortheMilennium,Satanisletloosefromthatdarkprison.Heuseshisfreedomtogatherasmanyrebelliouspeopleaspossiblefromplanetearthforone,lastattempttostealwhathewantedwhenhefirstrebelledagainstGod-theheavensandtheearth.Hefails,ofcourse.AndthistimeHeiscastintotheLakeofFireforever.Revelation20:7-10.

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I’vetoldyouallthattosetthestagefortheanswertoourquestion:“WillSatanstillshowupinHeavenwhenIamthere?”

Yes,Iguessitcouldhappen.Ifyoudiebeforethelastsevenyearsbegins,youcouldbeinHeavenwithGodwhenSatanmakesoneofhismany“accuserofthebrethren”appearances.Butdon’tworry,ifthathappensyouwillbeperfectlysafe.ThereisnofearinHeaven.Satancannottouchyouorhurtyou.Youprobablywon’tevenknowitishappening.Godisintotalcontrol.

But,sometimeduringthelastsevenyearsSatanwillbeforevercastoutofHeaven,nevertoappearthereagain.AndduringtheMilleniumhewillbelockedaway.AndaftertheMilleniumHewillbetossedintotheLakeofFire,sothatintheNewHeavenandtheNewEarthheisneverthereandneverevenathoughtinourheads,except,perhaps,tothinkofhowourLordtotallycrushedhim.

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40. CanwereallyseeGod?OrJesus?Willtherebeadifference?WillwebeabletoaskGodquestions?Willweevenwanttoknowtheanswersthen?�

Revelation21:3&4,John14:3,John14:16

BecausetheBibleteachesthatGodisThree-in-One,TheTrinity,Isearchedtofindoutiftherewasevidenceinscripturethatwewouldsee,andlivewith,allThreeinHeaven:

GodtheFatherwillbeactually“with”us–livingwithus,accordingtoRevelation21:3&4.“AndIheardaloudvoicefromHeavensaying,‘Behold,thetabernacleofGodiswithmen,andHewilldwellwiththem,andtheyshallbeHispeople.GodHimselfwillbewiththemandbetheirGod.’”Wow!

And,GodtheSon,Jesus,willbewithus,asHetoldusinJohn14:3:“AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,IwillcomeagainandreceiveyoutoMyself;thatwhereIam,thereyoumaybealso.”

AndGodtheHolySpiritwillalsobewithus,inus,foreternity:“AndIwillpraytheFather,andHewillgiveyouanotherHelper,thatHemayabidewithyouforever,theSpiritoftruth,whomtheworldcannotreceive,becauseitneitherseesHimnoknowsHim;butyouknowHim,forHeswellswithyouandwillbeinYou.”John14:16

Yes,wewilllivewithGodtheFather,GodtheSon,andGodtheHolySpirit.Andwewillhaveallthetimeintheworld…allthetimeineternity,toaskeveryquestionwewanttoask.I,forone,willdefinitelywanttoheartheanswersIhavewonderedaboutforsolong.NotsothatIcanargueorhaveprooffinallythatGodalwaysknewwhatHewasdoing…butbecauseIwillwanttopraiseHimoverandoverforwhatHeis,whatHewas,andwhatHealwayswillbe.

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41. Whenwehavea“premonition”,isthatsomeonewatchingoutforusinHeaven?�

Psalm5:11&12,Deuteronomy18:10-14

Yes,ofcourseSomeoneiswatchingoutforusinHeaven!Youcan’thardlyreadevenoneofthePsalmswithoutseeingtheLordwatchingoverus,orfightingforus,orrightingthewrongswhichswirlaroundus!Psalm5:11&12

ButIthinkthequestionabovemightbeaboutwhetherornotapersonweonceknewonearthiswatchingoverus…tryingtowarnusofdangersahead…ortryingtoguideusintoabetterpath.Theanswertothatissimpleanddefinite.No!TheLordspecificallyforbidsanypersontotrytoreachouttoonewhohasdied.AndtheoneswhohavegonebeforeusknowthattheywouldneverassumetotaketheplaceofGodindirectingandleadingusthroughourlives.Deuteronomy18:10-14.

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42. CanIstillbelieveinJesusafterIdie?�

Hebrews9:27&28,Luke16:26,John3:36,Philippians2:9-11

Actually,theanswertothisquestionisboth“no”,and“yes”.

Here’sthe“no”.

InJohn3:36weseeclearlythattheonlythingwhichcanpossiblysaveanypersonisheart-feltbeliefinJesus,God’sSon.Thequestion,then,is:canthatheart-feltbeliefcomeafterdeath,ordoesitalwayshavetocomebeforedeath?

InLuke16:26JesustellsthestoryofarichmannamedLazaruswhodidnotbelieveinGod,andthereforedidnotlivehislifeforGod,whodied.Afterhisdeathherealizedthehugenessofhissinofunbelief,andfoundthattherewasforeverahuge“gulf”betweenhimandGod.Thatgulfcouldnotbecrossedbecausedeathhadmadeitimpossible.

InHebrews9:27&28theLordtellsusunequivocallythatfirstcomesdeath,thenjudgment.“Andasitisappointedformentodieonce,butafterthisthejudgment,soChristwasofferedoncetobearthesinsofmany.TothosewhoeagerlywaitforHimHewillappearasecondtime,apartfromsin,forsalvation.”

Thus,ifapersonchoosesnottowhole-heartedlybelieveinJesusinthislife,eagerlywaitingforHimtoreturn,thenthatpersonhasnomorechancesforheart-feltbelief.

Andhere’sthe“yes”:

SomedayeverypersonwhoeverlivedwillbelieveinJesus.Somewillgenuinelybelieveinthislife,butforsomebeliefwillcome,whethertheylikeitornot.Itwillnotbeheart-felt,anditwillbetoolate.Somedayeverysinglepersonwhoeverlived,eventhosewhoareinHell,willknowabsolutelythatJesusisGod,thatHegaveupHishomeinHeavenforatimeinordertopaythepriceforsin,andwillrealizethatHewillreignforeverandeverasKingofall.Theywill,infact,bowtheirkneetoHim.ButforthoseinHellthatbeliefwillnotbesavingbelief.Itwillsimplybeafacttheycannotdeny.Theywilllivewiththatfactforeternity.Philippians2:9-11

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Review:HerearethebasicsofwhatweknowaboutHeaven:

• HeavenistheplaceGodlives.ItistheplaceIwanttobe.

o Psalm23:6“Surelygoodnessandmercyshallfollowmeallthedaysofmylife;andIwilldwellinthehouseoftheLordforever.”

• Nomatterwhattimeinhistory,orinthefuture,Ilive,Icanknow,forsure,thatifIbelieveJesusisGodandthatHediedtopaythepriceformysins,androseagain,isalivetodayattherighthandofGod,andiscomingagain…ifIbelieveinJesus…IwillbewithHiminHeavenwhenIdie…forever.

o 2ndCorinthians5:8“Weareconfident,yes,wellpleasedrathertobeabsentfromthebodyandtobepresentwiththeLord.”

o John14:3“AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,IwillcomeagainandreceiveyoutoMyself;thatwhereIam,thereyoumaybealso.”

• WhatIhavebegunonthisearth,asabelieverinJesus,Iwillcontinuetodo,inwaysIcannotimagine,onceIaminHeavenforever.

o Colossians2:3(speakingofJesus)“…inwhomarehiddenallthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge.”IwillgettolearnmoreofthetreasureshiddeninJesusforalleternity.

o Ephesians3:16-19(speakingofwhatwehavebeguntodoonthisearthasbelievers)“…maybeabletocomprehendwithallthesaintswhatisthewidthandlengthanddepthandheight–toknowtheloveofChristwhichpassesknowledge;thatyoumaybefilledwithallthefullnessofGod.”IwillgettoknowtheFather,SonandHolySpiritbetterandbetterandbetter.ThereisnolimittotheloveIwillkeeplearningaboutandexperiencing.

o 2ndPeter1:10&11.Wehavetheprivilegetolivefull-outforJesusinthislife,knowingwhatiswaitingforus–anentranceintotheeverlastingkingdomofourLordandSavior,JesusChrist.Wewillhavethatsameprivilegeforever.

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