Are You Right About Heaven? by Feed the Hunger

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 Much has been written on the subject of heaven, some good and some not so good. Movies, books, news stories, and so on continually claim to have special knowledge about this special place. Near-death accounts in the hospital, temporary death experiences after some accident, and vivid dreams or visions with incredible details are just some of the examples shared in the public eye. Which stories are real, and which are fake? How can we discern the truth from these personal accounts? Are you right in your personal beliefs about heaven? Well, in this 30-day journey, we will focus on what the Bible says about heaven. If you’re not a Christian, don’t let that scare you off. What’s the harm in knowing what the Bible says about the matter? We won’t go beyond what the Bible says, because it warns against doing so (1 Corinthians 4:6). Each day, we will take a closer look at a particular story, passage, or verse that gives us a glimpse into this wonderful place. It is fine to speculate, but we must identify our speculations and separate them from what we know for sure. Two things I can virtually guarantee: I cannot fully cover what the Bible says about heaven in this amount of time and space, and I will not do an adequate job of providing you with a full picture of heaven. After all, how can a perfect and indescribably beautiful place be adequately put into words? How can our finite minds truly grasp the dwelling place of God? Given this disclaimer, when you have completed this study you should

have a better understanding of heaven. You should also be able to view today’s claims about heaven through the lens of the Bible; you won’t need my opinion on the matter. You’ll know whether you’re right or wrong about heaven. To non-Christians: if you have yet to believe that Jesus died for you, I hope you will read with an open mind. My prayer is that He would use this study as the catalyst to open your heart to this reality. Eternity awaits all of us, but heaven does not—even if you’re a “good” person, or, further still, even if you believe in God. The Bible clearly states that even demons believe in God, but they’re certainly not headed to heaven (James 2:19). Believing is simply not enough. To Christians: my ultimate goal is to spur a greater thirst in you, for you to fear death less, and for you to look forward to an even more wonderful future. After all, the Bible says that, as believers, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). My desire is that your love for our Savior grows, and that this study will motivate you to live now with eternity in mind. So, let’s take a journey over the next month and discover more about a very real place that needs to be the future home of everyone—especially you.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 The subject of heaven always seems to be popular. However, there is so much conjecture and misinformation out there that it can be tempting to conclude that it’s too hard to know the truth. The Bible does give us some illumination on heaven, but it still feels a bit cloudy (pardon the pun!). The verse above confirms this reality: we only know in part right now. We can look forward to the day when the cloud is fully lifted and the blindfold is removed from our eyes. What a day that will be! In addition to our cloudy vision and the conflicting stories we hear, I think there are two stumbling blocks we encounter when trying to understand heaven. We deal with personal inadequacy—especially in relation to God. “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4). We are such small specks among the landscape of the universe. “The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more” (Psalm 103:15–16). Perhaps another hurdle is doubt about heaven due to personal loss. The overwhelming grief over the death of a loved one, especially an “untimely” or “unfair” death, can allow our emotions to overtake our faith, planting doubts that God is still a loving God and has a beautiful eternity planned. Whether or not you call yourself “Christian,” you may be dealing with

some of these feelings. From public claims about heaven to what the Bible doesn’t say to feelings of inadequacy to personal loss, it can be challenging to believe in and trust God. And so, heaven just seems like a far-off and unattainable place, maybe even a fantasy. We have a choice. We can trust in the God who created us and loved us so much that He gave us an escape from death and eternal separation from Him. He has things prepared for those who love Him, both now and in heaven (1 Corinthians 2:9). We can’t possibly fathom this right now, and that’s okay because of this trust we have in Him. But it’s a choice we need to make and stick with through thick and thin. We were warned that this life would be hard (John 16:33). The delayed gratification of heaven will one day be delayed no longer. Before we really get moving on this heavenly journey through the eyes of the Bible, I think it is important to first examine your own views of heaven. So, take a few minutes and maybe jot down some notes or make a list of the words, characteristics, questions, and concerns you have about heaven. Then, I encourage you to revisit these notes at the end to see what has changed or has become clearer.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 Most of the world’s cultures and religions have some concept of heaven and hell. Unfortunately, this is why many people lump all religions together and assume that all paths eventually lead to the same god and same place. As a follower of Jesus, I immediately know one difference between Christianity and every other religion: Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with Jesus. Before we look at what the Bible teaches about heaven, we need to take a cursory glance at some of the other beliefs out there. Those of us who are believers need to be educated and tactful when dealing with those of a different mindset. We need to treat people with respect and love instead of metaphorically beating them over the head with our Bibles. We do serve a holy and righteous God who demands awe and reverence, but scaring people into salvation isn’t a strategy I suggest using. I am going to have to paint with really broad strokes as we look at a generalized view of heaven in various belief systems. To fully explain each religion’s view of heaven (or hell, for that matter) would require much more space, so indulge me with the brevity of this list: • •

Islam: If you’ve done more good than bad in life, you get to go to heaven. Hinduism: Heaven is a place where their gods live. It is not the final destination, but a stop in the reincarnation cycle to improve

• • • • • • •

one’s condition. Buddhism: The final destination is not a place, but a state of mind called nirvana, which is basically a state of nothingness. The key to achieving this enlightenment is to desire nothing. Judaism: Heaven is the dwelling place of God and other heavenly beings; teachings are more focused on how to live now. Mormonism: There are three heavens after death: celestial, terrestrial, and telestial; which one you go to depends on certain requirements you must achieve. Jehovah’s Witnesses: Only 144,000 are chosen for heaven; the rest live on in a future paradise on earth. Seventh-day Adventist: No one goes to heaven immediately after death, but enters an unconscious state until Jesus returns. Agnosticism: No one can know for sure if there’s a God, or if heaven even exists. Atheism: There is no God, so there is no heaven.

It can be overwhelming to consider all these religions and beliefs as well as a myriad of others not listed. They don’t seem to have the same concept of heaven, wouldn’t you agree? You can also look at their millions upon millions of adherents and wonder, How is it that Christianity could possibly have it right and everyone else have it wrong? We’ll look at this question later in our journey. As the verse at the top recognizes, we are all lost, but a single redemptive act took place that changed everything. The path to heaven—narrow as it is—became available to all and changed the course of human history.

God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. Genesis 1:8 Let’s begin looking at the biblical description of heaven. The word heaven invokes positive emotions in the hearts and minds of Christians and many non-Christians. The Hebrew word for heaven is shamayim, which is plural. We often read about it in its plural form in verses like Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” and Psalm 57:10, “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Did you know that there are three different realms or dimensions that are referred to as “heaven” in the Bible? This might sound a bit crazy, but it’s true. Some scholars combine the first two heavens, and that has merit because they are both a far cry from the third. Others think the second heaven is a figurative description of the realm of Satan (Ephesians 6:12). We will follow a more literal route in tomorrow’s study on the second heaven, and on another day we will revisit the topic of the evil presence we can’t see. Knowing which heaven is the subject of a particular Bible passage would really affect your understanding, don’t you think? Reading the context is crucial. We’ll spend the next three days looking at each heaven separately. This means that today we will look at the first heaven described in the Bible. Look no further than the first chapter of Genesis to see when it was created. God created the first heaven on the second day (Genesis 1:8). (We are not wading into the debate over the duration of creation week; it is more important for us to focus on the fact that God created each heaven.)

The first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere, the air around us where birds and airplanes fly. “Let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky” (Genesis 1:20). As you can see, “air” and “sky” are often used to describe the first heaven. This is also the heaven that is the source of our weather. “The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands” (Deuteronomy 28:12a). As you can imagine, without modern-day technological advances, there was much more mystery and awe to the first heaven in ages past. Today, the average person has full access to the first heaven. We can fly in a plane or fall gracefully with a parachute. So, we tend to overlook the sky as rather ordinary, but God’s creation is beautiful, and that includes the first heaven. It is truly amazing that God created such a space in which we can breathe and enjoy life. Did you know that one day the first heaven will be no more? Revelation 21:1 describes this glorious future age: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea” (John was quoting Isaiah 65:17). We are living under a temporary heaven. There is a much greater one to come!

I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place. Psalm 8:3 Let me be clear right off the bat that the term “second heaven” is not mentioned in the Bible. However, since the “third heaven” is identified by a dynamic early Christian named Paul (you’ll be hearing from him a lot in this study) in 2 Corinthians 12:2–4, it is logical to think that there must be a first and a second heaven. We will look at this passage from Paul tomorrow, but today is about defining the second heaven. Perhaps you’ve already guessed the identity of this next “space” (get it?). All you have to do is go beyond our atmosphere and you’re in what we call outer space, containing the galaxies, stars, planets, and every other heavenly body. God created the second heaven on the fourth day of creation week in Genesis 1:14–19. “God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars” (verse 16). Indeed, the night sky truly is a vibrant testimony of God’s handiwork. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). How many galaxies are present in this cosmos that God created? It seems that the number is far larger than previously thought. Our Milky Way galaxy contains around 200 billion stars and is up to 200,000 lightyears across. How big is that? Put it this way: it would take a couple of trillion years to drive this distance by car. Further, thanks to the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers believe there are probably 100 to 200 billion galaxies (possibly up to two trillion!). Oh my goodness—can you even imagine this?! I don’t know about you but my mind can’t get around that kind of

vastness. Further, I can’t fathom why an infinite and omniscient God would bother creating the human race on a little planet in the midst of a massive galaxy inside an incomprehensibly large universe. King David of ancient Israel stated it better: “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? ” (Psalm 8:3–4). I look forward to knowing the answer to this and a lot of other “whys” when we get to heaven! In the beginning of Paul’s letter to the church in a city called Ephesus, he paints a reassuring picture of God’s longstanding love for us in the midst of such a vast universe. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight” (Ephesians 1:4). Think of it: even before creation, God had you in mind. This should cause your heart to overflow with humility and a deep sense of gratitude and reverence toward God. He spoke the universe into being like a snap of the fingers. And yet in all of His creation’s grandeur and splendor, He still chose to create you and me. I don’t know why, but I will be eternally grateful.

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3 We have been looking at heaven from the standpoint that it can be divided into three realms. As mentioned, you can certainly lump the air around us in with outer space because they both pale in comparison to the splendor of the third, or highest, heaven. The third heaven is the one we are looking forward to as the destination after death. The third heaven is where God dwells (2 Chronicles 6:33; Matthew 6:9). However, it is important to note that God is not contained there. He is omniscient and omnipresent. He is exalted above the heavens (Hebrews 7:26b). “He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe” (Ephesians 4:10). King David’s son Solomon lamented the fact that the temple he was going to build for God wouldn’t do God justice. “But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? ” (2 Chronicles 2:6a). Now, fast-forward to the New Testament of the Bible as we look at the third heaven. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on what Christians call Palm Sunday, the procession of people shouted praises to God and proclaimed, “Hosanna in the highest heaven! ” (Mark 11:10). And Acts 1:11 records when Jesus ascended to the highest heaven and where He will remain until His Second Coming. Interestingly, the third heaven is also mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:2–4. Here is the passage in its entirety: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.

And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. Some scholars speculate that Paul is writing about himself here in the third person. Whoever actually experienced a glimpse of heaven, the point of sharing this passage is that it mentions the third heaven, and it also indicates what this man heard and saw. It was so awesome that it was “paradise” and “inexpressible.” Let me close today by choosing my words carefully. I believe that if we truly knew how wonderful heaven is, we would not want to be here anymore. We must remember, however, that God has a specific calling on each of our lives. We need to be about the Lord’s business here until our heaven-going (2 Peter 1:10–11). So, use this as motivation to live less for yourself and more for Him! Heaven will be here soon enough.

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 The word paradise evokes certain positive feelings, don’t you think? When I think of paradise, I think of a sandy white beach with crystal clear waters in the Caribbean. Maybe your version of the word is a different but equally moving place where your spirit is revived. The great news is that heaven is described as paradise as well. This means, of course, that it is not just a paradise, but The Paradise. And like your favorite vacation spot, you should long to go there with every passing moment—and even more so. In the Old Testament, there is a Hebrew word similar in meaning to paradise. It is used dozens of times in the context of gardens, forests, orchards, and the like. This might cause one particular paradise in the Bible to come to mind: the Garden of Eden, the beautiful location that served as the original home of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:15). Lot, the nephew of the Hebrew patriarch Abraham, also used this Hebrew word to describe the land he wanted to possess. When he saw it, he thought “that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord” (Genesis 13:10). The same word was used by King Solomon to describe one of his great projects: “I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them” (Ecclesiastes 2:5). The actual word paradise is of Persian origin, and is used three times in the New Testament. In the Bible verse at the top, Jesus Himself says these words to a thief nailed to a cross next to Him. The great truth about this particular usage is that Jesus is basically saying that believers will imme-

diately go there upon death. Paul uses “paradise” in his account of the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:4). And John, one of Jesus’ disciples, mentions “paradise” as the location of the Tree of Life (Revelation 2:7). Some versions of the Bible label the first part of the last chapter of Revelation as “Eden Restored” (22:1–3). It is about a future age on earth. John saw “the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Sounds like paradise, doesn’t it? Earth is restored to its glorious roots. My only purpose for today is to give you another descriptive term for heaven. It is truly paradise. One day it will be reestablished on earth, perhaps identical to the original Garden of Eden. And just like Adam and Eve before their fall, we too will walk in perfect harmony and fellowship with God.

[Jesus Christ] has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand— with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 1 Peter 3:22 We have already looked briefly at the third heaven. Today, we’re going to be much more comprehensive because it’s important to know who else is currently in heaven, as they will also be there when we get there. First and foremost, we should reiterate that God the Father is in heaven, ruling from His throne (2 Chronicles 6:39; Isaiah 66:1). Jesus, His Son, is also there, ruling at the right side of God (Acts 2:33; 7:55; 1 Peter 3:22). There are many places in the Bible that state this truth apart from the ones just listed. Perhaps most well known in addition to the Father and Son are the angels in heaven (Matthew 24:36; Luke 2:15). They are sometimes referred to as the “heavenly host” (Psalm 148:2; Luke 2:13). We will look soon at the story in Genesis 28:10–22 of the angels ascending to and descending from heaven. Included among the angels are two that we know by name: Michael, who is identified as an archangel, and Gabriel. Both appear in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament and also in the New Testament. Lucifer, or Satan, is also an angel, but he will be studied on another day. Other angels are mentioned, but their names are not given. Also, “the angel of the Lord” (not “an angel”) makes many appearances in the Bible up until the birth of Christ. For this reason, many believe that the angel of the Lord is actually Jesus. Now here’s where it gets even more interesting. There are also heaven-

ly beings called cherubim and seraphim that populate heaven. Seraphim are only directly mentioned in Isaiah 6. The Hebrew word seraphim means “to burn,” and these supernatural beings have six wings. Their calling is to praise God: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is filled with his glory” (verse 3). Cherubim are mentioned quite a bit more. They have guarded the Garden of Eden and Tree of Life ever since God banished Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:24). The entire tenth chapter of Ezekiel has an incredible depiction of the cherubim. They have four wings and the faces of a lion, ox, man, and eagle (verse 14). There is still another heavenly group called the “four living creatures” who are mentioned in Ezekiel 1 and several times in the book of Revelation. They appear similar to the cherubim and seraphim and could possibly be the same. They also primarily exist to worship God. Last but not least, those Christians who have preceded us in physical death are now in heaven (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8). As we finish for today, let us pause to consider this vast and holy group of perfect beings with God who are awaiting our arrival. Jesus has prepared a place just for you in heaven if you believe in Him (John 14:3).

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. Psalm 45:6 God is certainly not contained in heaven, as we’ve learned, but there is a specific place in heaven that is worth looking at, and that is His throne. This throne represents God’s position of ultimate power. Just as a king sits on his throne and is expected to rule justly and with authority, so God is the sovereign example. I would not be surprised if you haven’t read the description of God’s throne before, but it is something to learn about and imagine. The main description of the throne is given by John in the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible. Here is John, exiled because of his faith to the Greek island of Patmos in the first century AD (or CE). He is not only given a vision of heaven and both horrible and wonderful things to come, but he has to try to describe it in human terms. It’s an impossible and unenviable task to be sure. As a result of the first-century imagery he used, there are many different opinions as to how the End of the Age will unfold. Regardless, consider the vivid details John uses to describe God’s throne. “The one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne” (Revelation 4:3). “From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder” (verse 5a). “Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal” (verse 6a). Sounds like beauty and power personified, doesn’t it? In the Old Testament, the prophet Ezekiel was also given a vision of

God sitting on His throne. From the waist up, “he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him” (Ezekiel 1:26–28). He further describes God’s radiance like a rainbow. There are all manner of beings and creatures in heaven and around the throne, as we looked at yesterday (2 Chronicles 18:18). In John’s description there are two dozen “elders” on other thrones and also the four living creatures that have some interesting characteristics. We don’t have to try to understand the true nature of these beings, but what we do know is that they all worship God. Later, John is shown that when God creates a new heaven and earth, His throne (be it literal or metaphorical) will be on earth (Revelation 21:3; 22:3). But until this comes to pass, Hebrews 4:16 gives us encouraging words for today: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Even though God is all knowing, all powerful, and exists everywhere, because of our salvation (which will be explained near the end of this study), we can approach Him any time we want to ask Him to help us. That is encouraging indeed.

Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 I think you would agree that the vast majority of Americans are patriotic, regardless of political affiliation. Where we might differ is how to best go about helping our country grow and prosper. However this might happen, it requires that we be law-abiding citizens. These rules and regulations provide the structure needed to be a civilized society. We’re on the same page so far, right? While what follows is not necessarily something we see differently, it is perhaps something you haven’t thought about much. Look at the above verse. If you are a follower of Christ, your ultimate citizenship is in heaven, not America. Countries can come and go—and have over the centuries—but heaven is for eternity. (This was obviously written with American citizens in mind, but carries the same message no matter your home country.) This leads to a question: Do you see yourself more as an American citizen or a citizen of heaven? Be honest with yourself. Is it more natural for you to dwell on your place and role in our country, or to focus beyond “the present age” to “the age to come” (Mark 10:30)? The reality is, as a follower of Christ, your literal passport may say “United States of America,” but your spiritual passport says “Heaven.” Hebrews 11:16a tells us we need to be “longing for a better country—a heavenly one.” America is arguably the wealthiest nation that has ever existed. Yet, despite all the temptations and temporary treasures it affords, it is nothing—NOTHING—remotely comparable to the richness and glory of heaven.

Let’s not stop at just declaring our citizenship in heaven. Another devoted follower of Jesus named Peter gives us further identities in one of his books. We are also “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9). If that doesn’t make you feel special, I don’t know what will! We have been selected, and are royalty, ministers, holy, and special in God’s eyes. Peter doesn’t stop there. He gives us more rudimentary names, urging us also to identify as “foreigners and exiles” (2:11). We are like refugees away from our permanent home. If our primary calling is to be and live like citizens of heaven and all these other descriptive labels, then how do we demonstrate it? Peter goes on to encourage us to “abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans (nonbelievers) that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God ” (2:11–12). So, if you are a Christian, constantly remind yourself that your true passport has the emblem of heaven on the front cover. You are just passing through in this journey called life, trying to love God and do His will.

He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:12 Over the next few days, we’ll look at some of the most famous glimpses of heaven in the Bible. I daresay that today’s image is one of the best known, but is also one of the most misunderstood. More on that in a moment. Just like his grandfather Abraham, Jacob received a word from God while sleeping about His promise to bless the world through Jacob’s family line. As Jacob slept, he dreamed of a stairway or ladder connecting heaven and earth, which angels were using to ascend and descend. At the top was the Lord, who affirmed the family promise to greatly expand their numbers and legacy among the people groups of the world. Let’s contrast this so-called “Jacob’s ladder” with another occurrence earlier in the book of Genesis. In the eleventh chapter, we read about a structure called the Tower of Babel. The proud people of this place had declared, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves” (verse 4a). They wanted to build their way into heaven and become gods themselves. God wouldn’t have it, so He scattered the people after changing up their language. In ancient Mesopotamia, this type of structure was called a ziggurat. It was fairly similar to a pyramid, but with fewer and more pronounced levels. It also had a sloping staircase that ascended to the top where a shrine would sit and where the people would worship a deity. The people

of Babel (which means “gate of god” in the Akkadian language) wanted to bridge heaven and earth. However, Christians know full well that only one person could and would one day bridge that seemingly impossible gap—Jesus. So let’s fast-forward to the New Testament. When Jesus was recruiting people to be His disciples, He said to a man named Nathanael, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man (a title for Jesus)” (John 1:51). Does this visual sound familiar?! Jesus was saying that He came to bridge the gap between heaven and earth. The people of Babel couldn’t bridge it and neither can we. Jesus became our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), and we can only come to God the Father through Him (John 14:6). While the imagery of angels going back and forth to heaven on a supernatural escalator sounds appealing, that is not the point of this Bible story at all. This is not a glimpse into heaven or how angels navigate, but it is instead both a contrast to the Tower of Babel and a foreshadowing of Jesus’ First Coming. Jesus, a direct descendant of Jacob, came to bless the nations with the message of salvation! We can’t earn it or build our way there through good works, but it is a free gift if we’ll just accept it.

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 2 Kings 2:11 Tomorrow we will look at specific instances in the Bible of people being raised from the dead. This happened numerous times in both the Old and New Testaments. Today, however, we will look at two men in the Old Testament who escaped death and went straight to heaven. One description is much more amazing than the other, but both merit an overview. First was Enoch, who “walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24). This chapter in Genesis gives the genealogy of the first man, Adam, to Noah, the one who built the ark before the great flood. It tells how old each was when he had his eldest son, and how long he lived. Then in every other instance except Enoch’s, each person in the genealogy is said to have died. Hebrews 11:5 further confirms that Enoch “did not experience death.” The second man who escaped death was Elijah. He was walking with his soon-to-be prophetic successor, Elisha, when what is amazingly described in the verse at the top takes place. Fire! Whirlwind! Heaven! But before we look more closely at this verse in 2 Kings, let me mention another reason why both men are included in today’s study. Looking at the accounts of Elijah and Enoch together is important because some Christians believe that they are the “two witnesses” mentioned in Revelation 11 who come to warn the earth’s inhabitants. They believe that these are two literal people who must have escaped death, and that is why they are able to return to earth. However, even though Moses had clearly died (Deuteronomy 34:5), he nevertheless appeared with Elijah and

Jesus in front of the disciples Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1–13), so the logic for this theory is flawed. Now, back to Elijah’s blazing ride to heaven. Like me, I’m sure you can envision a chariot of fire being pulled by fiery horses, and why the departure for heaven would seem like a tornado. Interestingly, Elisha would witness heavenly horses and chariots again. When Israel was at war with another country, they were outnumbered and surrounded, so Elisha asked God to show his servant the heavenly army at their side (2 Kings 6:17). This is just a small taste of the supernatural powers at God’s disposal from heaven. And these similar scenes call to mind the Apostle Paul’s declaration in Romans 8: “If God is for us, who can be against us? ” (verse 8:31b). We should not dread when things look helpless and we should not fear when physical death comes. God is for us and in us. Our souls are eternal!

Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. John 11:43–44 Today, we are going to look briefly at stories in the Bible about those who died and were raised from the dead. Specifically, we’re going to see what they all have in common. Even more specifically, we’re going to see what they don’t mention. We are not questioning whether these people died and then were actually raised from the dead. The Bible says that it was so in each case, and Christians believe the Word of God, so the matter is not up for discussion here. Instead, we are looking at these stories as they relate to heaven because these stories are similar to claims people make today. First, let’s look at the list of people who were dead, but were then raised to life: 1. The son of a widow, raised by the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:17–24) 2. The son of a wealthy woman, raised by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:8–37)

3. The dead man who came back to life when his bones touched the bones of Elisha (2 Kings 13:20–21) 4. The son of a widow, raised by Jesus (Luke 7:11–17) 5. The daughter of a religious leader, raised by Jesus (Luke 8:40–42, 49–56)

6. Lazarus, the brother of Mary (the woman who poured perfume on Jesus), raised by Jesus (John 11:1–44) 7. Believers raised to life when Jesus died (Matthew 27:50–52) 8. Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1–10) 9. A woman named Dorcas, raised by Peter (Acts 9:36–42) 10. A man named Eutychus, raised by Paul (Acts 20:7–12) In all these stories, there is no mention of any of these people brought back from the dead talking about going to heaven in the interim. I’m sure their family members and friends asked them about their experience, but we are not blessed with knowing the content of these conversations. Does this disprove the stories of people today who make such claims about visiting heaven after death or a near-death experience? In my opinion, no. However, the fact that all these Bible stories lack this detail deserves attention. Can you just imagine what it would be like to see someone raised from the dead? Do you believe this could happen today? In Matthew 10:8, Jesus directs His disciples to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” The Holy Spirit gave them miraculous power, and that same Spirit is within us. When you believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside you to help guide your daily living (John 14:26; Romans 8:5). He can do great things in and through you if you’ll let Him!

“Between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.” Luke 16:26 There is a story in Luke 16:19–31 that is chock-full of interesting information, and we will try to give it a cursory overview. This won’t be easy because there is much that Jesus shares. This is the story of a rich man who lived a life of luxury and a beggar named Lazarus who was covered in sores. Both men die, but end up in different places. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham’s side, while the rich man is sent into torment in Hades. The rich man can see Abraham and Lazarus far off, and hopes against all hope for just a drop of water to be given in the midst of his agony. But, alas, it is not possible. Abraham himself conveys the message that the “great chasm” between them can’t be bridged. Their paths have been finalized and cemented in place. The story doesn’t end there. The rich man then begs Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his five brothers of their fate should they not alter their paths. Abraham answers by explaining that the brothers have the Word of God to guide them (the Old Testament at the time). Is this just a parable about money (the main content of chapter 16) meant to encourage the reader how to live their life before it’s too late? Or does this also give us a glimpse into the separation between heaven and hell? Can those in heaven and hell see each other from a distance? Surely, it would be torture to see heaven in all its glory and the Savior

in all His glory from a distance, but for it to be unattainable for eternity. Further, to know you took the wrong path in life and have family and friends on the same path whom you need to warn, but be unable to do so, would also be unimaginable torment. If today’s story is just a parable told by Jesus, it differs from His other parables because it is the only one where He gives a specific name of a person. Regardless, perhaps the main lesson we can pull from this story is that we should share the message of Jesus Christ while there is still time. Our lives can end in an instant. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. In Luke 12:13–21, Jesus shares a parable about another rich man, whom He called a fool. It was this man’s goal to “take life easy; eat, drink and be merry” (verse 19b). The Lord’s response to him? “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself ? ” (verse 20). Hebrews 3:13 directs us to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Live a life of purpose. Serve God by serving others who are less fortunate. Demonstrate boldness, but with love and kindness. Share the message of Jesus with those you know who don’t believe. Tell them the truth today. Or maybe you’re one who needs to accept this truth about salvation. Please keep reading.

Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:55 Today, we often hear of people’s claims about visiting heaven during a near-death experience or during a temporary death (before being “brought back to life” by medical personnel, for example). There is a fairly similar story in the Bible. The main difference is that it is a brief description of heaven by someone who is going to die that very day, but will not come back to life. An early believer named Stephen is known as the first Christian martyr. He met his death by stoning, while Paul (before becoming a Christian) stood nearby, holding everyone’s coats (Acts 7:54–60). Stephen had just finished an impassioned speech to the Jewish leaders who immediately turned on him after his claim that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah. As the leaders grew furious, Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit (God living within us), and then the moment of note takes place. He told them that he saw Jesus standing beside God the Father in heaven. The Old Testament Scriptures foretold that the Messiah would sit at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1). Sharing this prophetic news with an already indignant crowd sent them over the edge with anger. They then dragged him out of town and stoned him. This description of Jesus being in a position of authority “at the right hand of God ” is used in other places throughout the New Testament, as we’ve read. Hebrews 10:12 states that after Jesus “had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” Romans 8:34 similarly states that “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” And Ephesians 1:20–21

says, “He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.” This is the God we serve, the mysterious Trinity: God the Father who rules in heaven, God the Son who is currently beside Him in heaven, and God the Holy Spirit who is here to guide us every second of every day. One day, the “gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Jesus will return to establish His kingdom forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It was a wonderful gift that Stephen received, to be given a glimpse of heaven to sustain him through a brutal death. He got to see his Savior in all His glory in heaven. We, too, can give a glimpse of heaven to those we know who are suffering and even dying. We can show them the Bible passages that give details of heaven’s perfection, and we can point them to the Savior who desires their hearts be rescued from a hopeless eternity.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 Over this next set of days, we’re going to look at some of the main questions people have about heaven, starting with the moment of our death. It seems natural for us to fear death. Maybe we don’t fear how it will happen as much as the finality of it. My dad once wrote that man primarily fears death for these reasons: • • • •

It is an unwelcome stop to our lives. It is the great unknown. We fear that it will permanently end cherished relationships. We fear that it will bring an end to meaningful activity.

In both the Old and New Testaments, death is often referred to as sleep. For this reason, some believe that both our bodies and souls will “sleep” until Jesus comes back a second time and we are resurrected. However, the term sleep is a metaphor for physical death, not death of the soul. There is compelling evidence that the soul of a Christian is immediately in heaven after death. Let’s look at a few examples to give you some assurance. We read previously of the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus on a mountain in front of three of Jesus’ disciples (Matthew 17:1–3). How could they appear if their souls were asleep?

Remember Jesus’ story about the rich man and Lazarus, who both die. The content of the story is mainly about money, but does it also provide a glimpse into the afterlife? It is clear that the two men are not asleep, but completely aware that they are in very different places. Later on when Jesus was dying on a Roman cross, He told God the Father, “Into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). He didn’t tell God, “Wake me up when it’s over.” Peter also refers to Christ’s death this way: “He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18b). Paul gives two convincing messages about death. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain . . . I desire to depart and be with Christ ” (Philippians 1:21– 23). “As long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord ” (2 Corinthians 5:6). Why would Paul be excited about being physically dead and his soul unconscious for the next two thousand years without interaction with the Lord? Death is “gain” because we are consciously with Christ after death. In Revelation, John describes a future scene of martyrs before God in heaven calling out to Him to avenge their deaths (6:9–10). How can they do this if their souls are unconscious or asleep? Death is not the beginning of a really long nap for Christians, but rather the transition of our souls into God’s presence as we await the resurrection of our bodies. Now, let me leave you with some advice from my father—three questions to ask ourselves as we ponder death: • • •

Am I in right relationship with God? Am I in right relationship with others? Am I investing myself in things that will last for eternity?

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 This one verse deserves its own day of study, for it paints a picture of heaven that we should truly anticipate. To make a long story short, one day everything that is fallen and broken and painful about this world will disappear forever. From the miniscule to the massive, the worst things that have happened to you in life will be gone and forgotten (Isaiah 65:17). Here are the four “no mores” of this verse in Revelation: •

•

No more death. There is so much death in this world, and so many seem to leave this fallen world in an unfair and inhumane manner. God will do away with death once and for all. “He will swallow up death forever” (Isaiah 25:8a). No more mourning. To spend time with a family in mourning after the loss of a loved one is truly heartbreaking, especially if the death is deemed “untimely.” Since death will be defeated, however, there will be no reason to ever mourn again in heaven. “The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8b). No more crying. In addition to death, there are many other reasons for sadness in this dark and fallen world. It is easy to be reduced to tears. Our heavenly future only contains joy and no tears. “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee

•

away” (Isaiah 35:10b). No more pain. The older we get, the more likely it is that our emotional and physical pains accumulate. It can become more than we can bear. But Christ made our pain His pain on the cross. Therefore, it has no future. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

Death, mourning, crying, and pain—these are the “bad stuff” that prevent some from ever believing in Christ, while also causing believers to lose faith. It can be brutal and seemingly impossible to endure sometimes. And yet, we should not lose hope. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world ” (John 16:33). As believers, our souls are immortal. Our fallen bodies and sinful tendencies will eventually be replaced with their perfected versions. Now that is something to anticipate! If you are struggling in the meantime, any advice I can give pales in comparison to what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:16–18: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 Most of you know the popular image of what we will supposedly be doing in heaven. We will be equipped with a fresh pair of wings and a white toga, be assigned a fluffy cloud, and be sent blissfully adrift to play a golden harp for all eternity. I don’t know about you, but that sounds about as exciting as a toothache. Thankfully, it is not based in reality. However, it might be useful to deconstruct this image before looking at what we will be doing in heaven. The image of wings, a robe, clouds, and a harp comes from details found throughout the Bible. Some angelic beings like the cherubim and seraphim do have wings. They do move among the heavens, which of course includes the clouds, and they do praise God (Psalm 148:2). As far as humans in heaven, in Revelation 7:13 they are seen wearing white robes, and in 15:2–3 there is a multitude praising God with harps. So, the assumption is that we will become like the angels after we die. Jesus even stated in Luke 20:36 that we will one day be like the angels. However, this is said in the context of not being married anymore because there isn’t marriage in heaven (we’ll look at this another day). The reality is that while we are in our earthly bodies, we are lower than the angels (Psalm 8:4–5). Yet, God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26), and one day we will be elevated like Jesus and rule over the angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). While we don’t know exactly what this will look like, we

don’t need to know this side of eternity. Here is the disappointing news: there is a lot we don’t know about what we will be doing in heaven. Everyone would love to know specifics, but whatever our reality will be, it’s just too good to be true. How do we know this? Read again the verse above, 1 Corinthians 2:9. We can’t conceive of the awesome plans that God has for us. Now, let’s end by looking at what we do know we will be doing in heaven: • •

•

We will worship God. “Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them” will be worshipping the Lord for eternity (Revelation 5:13). We will serve God. While the type of service(s) we will be doing is unanswered (Revelation 7:15; 22:3), the fact that we will be serving God means we will not be sitting idle on a cloud in our toga playing a harp. We will be with other believers. Revelation 7:9 foreshadows a day when people from every ethnic group will be together in heaven. This is the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14.

The point is that whatever we do will be better and more fulfilling than anything done on earth. And that is something to look forward to with anticipation.

Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves . . . Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Matthew 17:1, 3 Today’s topic is sure to be one that has concerned many believers. We shouldn’t be concerned, however, because the Bible addresses the question of whether we (believers) will know each other in heaven. Let’s start by revisiting a story in Matthew 17:1–13. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John (James’ brother) up on a mountain. At that point, He is transformed before their eyes. “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light” (verse 2). The amazing thing that happens next is that Moses and Elijah appear as well, and they talk to Jesus. Somehow (perhaps intuitively or through the Holy Spirit), Peter recognizes them, even though they had lived many centuries before him. As mentioned previously, we know that Moses died and Elijah had escaped death, but both had obviously gone to heaven. But here was Peter, and presumably James and John, who recognized two men who had been and still are in heaven. They still held the identity they had when they were alive on earth. More evidence would be helpful for us, though, so let’s look at some additional biblical accounts of recognizing one another in heaven. Thankfully, there are multiple examples. We may not fully understand some of the details in these stories, but they are worth noting. • •

King Saul recognized the dead prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 28). King David knew he would one day be with his dead infant son (2 Samuel 12:23), which means he would recognize him.

• •

A story also covered in this study, the dead rich man recognized Abraham and Lazarus after they had died (Luke 16:19–31). “Many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11); in other words, Jesus implies that we will recognize these men in heaven. On the cross, Jesus told the repentant thief beside Him that they would be together in paradise, which means they would know each other (Luke 23:42–43). After Jesus’ resurrection, He retained His physical identity, made numerous appearances, and everyone recognized Him (Matthew 28:8–10; Luke 24; Acts 1:1–3).

While we await our eternal bodies, we still continue in a recognizable form. Eventually, we will receive a new body (1 Corinthians 15:35–58). I encourage you to read this passage in its entirety. Let me just quote two verses: “If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body (verse 44b). . . . And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man” (verse 49). Therefore, just as Jesus had a resurrected body, so shall we one day.

[Marriage] is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:32 Some of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day try to trap Him with a story They didn’t even believe in the resurrection, so their negative motives are obvious. Their story is somewhat outlandish, about a married man who dies without having kids. As laid out by the prophet Moses in Deuteronomy 25:5–6, the dead man’s brother must marry the widow and have kids for him. So the dead man in this fictitious tale had seven brothers who all ended up marrying the same widow and dying, but none could produce children. Sounds crazy, right? Read on. The whole point of this tale was to ask Jesus the following question: “Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her? ” (Matthew 22:28). His answer is our important detail of the day: “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (verse 30). Why will there not be marriage in heaven, you might ask? In the New Testament, marriage is a reflection of the relationship between Jesus and His people, “the church” (Christians). In 2 Corinthians 11:2b, Paul spells this out: “I promised you (the church) to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.” In Ephesians 5:21–33, the husband and wife are to display qualities in marriage that demonstrate the same traits as Christ and His people. “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” (verse 24). This verse rubs a lot of people the wrong way today. Without entering that debate and getting distracted from our purpose, just be reminded that verse 21 starts by stating, “Submit to one another out of (Matthew 22:23–33).

reverence for Christ.” It’s a two-way street. Further instructions for the husband follow. Just as Christ gave His life for His people on the cross, so too should husbands “love [their] wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (verse 25). The husband should sacrifice his well-being for the well-being of his wife. The bottom line is that marriage “is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church” (verse 32). One day, Jesus will return for His bride and there will be a great feast, often referred to as the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” The bride (believers) will be presented to Christ (Revelation 19:6–9). We can look forward to the day when we will be united with our true Spouse, so to speak; therefore, there won’t be a need for marriage between a man and a woman in heaven. Until then, let’s be like a caring husband and a devoted wife, demonstrating sacrificial love.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 Today deals with a sensitive question: Do children and infants go to heaven? In Christian circles, this revolves around a subject called the “age of accountability.” In other words, what age must a child be when God holds them accountable for understanding what it means to be saved? The Christian world is divided on this topic to be sure. The appropriate action for us to take is to examine what the Bible says, while acknowledging that it doesn’t seem to answer this question outright. First, we must accept it when the Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We are all “sinful at birth,” even from the moment of conception (Psalm 51:5). This is because we are a fallen race, fallen ever since Adam and Eve blew it at the beginning. However, just because pre-born babies are sinful, it doesn’t mean they understand it. Yet the next verse in the psalm contains a mystery: “You desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.” Having said this, there are some Bible passages worth investigating. The Lord told Moses that his successor, Joshua, would lead the Hebrew people to what was called the Promised Land. God told Moses, “Your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land ” (Deuteronomy 1:39). We previously learned that King David had a child with a woman who was not his wife, and the baby boy died. After he mourned, he stated, “Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me”

(2 Samuel 12:23). The prophet Isaiah was given a prophecy about a boy to be born to King Ahaz of Judah. Twice, the passage refers to an undefined point when “the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right” (Isaiah 7:15–16). What this age is for knowing right from wrong, we don’t really know. God does (and that’s the point for today). Multiple times, Jesus esteems the simple faith, humility, and unassuming nature that children have, and declares that we must exemplify these traits as the verse at the top indicates. On a similar occasion, Jesus told the disciples, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). As we conclude, let’s have a renewed sense of urgency to teach our children how to live the right way (Proverbs 22:6). We are to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). If we do so, then hopefully we will hear the words of 3 John 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. Isaiah 65:25 The question of whether animals will be in heaven is one that many Americans want answered with a resounding “Yes!” For millennia, man has obviously enjoyed many aspects of life on earth, including animals— specifically, as pets. So the hope is that God will recreate this enjoyment in heaven. God created all manner of creatures during the creation week. He created everything on earth for man to enjoy and rule over, including animals (Genesis 1:28–30). God rescued them on Noah’s ark during the great flood (Genesis 6:19–20). He cares for them (Jonah 4:11; Matthew 6:26) and feeds them (Psalm 104:14, 21, 27). Let’s look at some instances of animals in relation to heaven. We have already looked at the story of Elijah’s heaven-going in 2 Kings 2. Remember the fiery chariots? Well, what were pulling the chariots? They were “horses of fire.” We don’t know for sure whether they are supernatural horses or the perfect versions of what we have on earth. Further, Jesus and His heavenly army will also be riding horses at the End of the Age (Revelation 19:11, 14). In prophetic passages in Isaiah chapters 11 and 65, we read that after the new heavens and earth are established, something wonderful will happen. Animals that used to be enemies will dwell alongside each other:

wolf and lamb, leopard and goat, calf and lion, cow and bear, and even an infant and a cobra (11:6–8 and 65:25). Whether this is literal or a dramatic metaphor to make a point, we can agree that this future peaceful reality is one to anxiously await. In Revelation 21, God will create the new heavens and new earth (which we will look at soon). One could logically assume that the earth will return to being the pristine ecosystem it was when the Garden of Eden flourished. And if God had animals living in that paradise, it would seem logical to assume He would do so again. He will be recreating the trees and the grass, so why not the animals, birds, and reptiles too? Paul tells us in Romans 8:19–21 that all creation was subjected to the consequences of man’s failure, but that one day it would be “liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (verse 21). All creation includes animals. Let me close today by reminding you that what God has in store for us in heaven is amazing and indescribable, including to whatever extent it involves animals. “‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ —the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, quoting Isaiah 64:4). We must trust in Him and know that it is better than we can imagine.

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:18 We must not study heaven without acknowledging the reality of hell and taking a look at it. There are people reading this study about heaven who aren’t headed there despite what they may think. If this applies to you, whether you are an atheist or believe in something else, I hope you will keep reading with an open mind. Consider this: you have everything to lose if you’re wrong and nothing to gain if you’re right. You won’t be surprised to learn that just as we don’t have a full picture of heaven, we also don’t have a full picture of hell. However, just because the picture is incomplete and what is left might be hard to understand, it doesn’t mean we should avoid studying it. It is also tempting to avoid such a negative topic as hell because there is nothing pleasant about it whatsoever. To further complicate matters, some of the English translations of the Bible have translated the Hebrew word for hell, Sheol, inconsistently and incorrectly. It is used in the Old Testament to indicate the place for all departed souls, variously translated as “grave,” “pit,” “realm of the dead,” and “hell.” In the New Testament, the words Hades (of Greek influence) and Gehenna (from Hebrew) are used. The former indicates the shadowy realm of the dead. The latter was a waste dump in Jerusalem that was constantly burning. This was quite the easy place for Jesus to literally point to as a vivid comparison to hell. Now let’s step back and look at the big picture. The truth is, hell means two things in the Bible. It is both a place and a condition. Let me explain.

Hell is a torturous place to be. It is where the souls of non-Christians go after their physical bodies die (Psalm 9:17). And the imagery of it being a fiery place is unfortunately true (Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 18:8–9; Jude 7). Somehow it is also a place of darkness (Matthew 8:12; Jude 13). Whether or not you want to treat these images of fire and darkness as metaphorical, what you need to realize is that hell is such a horrible place because it is also a condition: separation from the presence of God. Outside of His presence, there is irreversible hopelessness, weeping, gnashing of teeth, and torment. One day, Hades will give up its dead after Jesus returns and all physical bodies are resurrected and reunited with their souls. Then there is a final judgment for everyone (Daniel 12:1–2; Revelation 20:11–15). If your name is not written in the Book of Life, then this is really bad news. And it’s permanent bad news (John 3:36). Jesus defeated death. He is the Living One who loves you and wants you to live for eternity with Him. If you choose not to believe in Him, you won’t have the excuse of ignorance when you stand before God one day. Please choose today.

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! Isaiah 14:12 We can’t look at hell without looking at another negative reality. There is something—or rather someone—we also have to study. He goes by many names: the ancient serpent, great dragon, morning star, Lucifer, father of lies, evil one, lawless one, the devil, and, most notably, Satan. Satan and his fallen angels also operate in the heavens, just as angels do, though primarily outside the third heaven. At some point in the unknown past, Satan was cast from the highest heaven by God (Isaiah 14:12; Luke 10:18). Prior to that, he was “anointed as a guardian cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14). We know from Revelation 12 that sometime in the distant past, war broke out in heaven. Satan and his angels rebelled and fought against the archangel Michael and his angels and lost. One-third of the angels fell with him and were cast out (verse 4). Is Satan allowed in the highest heaven even though he was cast out? Interestingly, from the story of a man named Job, we see that Satan was allowed to come before God’s throne in the highest heaven (Job 1:6). In short, Satan was given the opportunity to make Job’s life a living hell to prove that Job’s faith in God would fail. Satan didn’t succeed (verse 22). One of the most famous verses in the Bible about the power of Satan is Ephesians 6:12. It paints a rather sobering picture of the unseen spiritual battle taking place around us. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and

against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” All is not rosy in the heavens—not by a long shot. Satan and his fallen angels, otherwise known as demons, are everywhere in this realm. Stories of demonic spirits and their evil influence can be found throughout the New Testament and flourish today, especially in areas where the message about Jesus is just being shared or where there is great resistance to it. Earlier in the book of Ephesians, Paul shares more about this troubling spirit-world around us. He calls Satan “the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (2:2). So what do we do about this troubling reality? We are to put on the symbolic “full armor of God,” which includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet ready for battle, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit (the Bible), and shield of faith. The latter is used to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:13–17). The fight is on, ladies and gentlemen. We must be on our guard and envelop our lives with God’s Word and with prayer.

We eagerly await a Savior from [heaven], the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20b–21 As we all get older, the problems our bodies have with operating normally seem to only grow. Some problems know no age, like cancer or a bad back, but eventually time catches up with us all and our bodies give out to the point of death. This does not happen randomly. God knew us before we were born and how many days we’d live before our physical death (Psalm 139:16). This is truly amazing to ponder. What happens to believers after we die? We’ve learned that even though our physical body is dead, our soul is with Jesus. Remember what He said to the thief on the cross beside Him? “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Paul tells us that “to be away from the body” is to be “at home with the Lord ” (2 Corinthians 5:8). No more suffering or pain; instead, we will be in the presence of His glory forever in utter perfection and harmony. This is still hard for us to grasp, to wrap our finite minds around the infinite, to understand that which we can’t see or have adequately described to us. It’s also hard for us to comprehend what it will feel like to be temporarily separated from our bodies. The Bible is full of verses, however, that tell us of the day when we will receive our resurrected bodies. It’s a future event called the Second Coming of Christ (Jesus) when our physical bodies will be raised. Biblical evidence seems to suggest it will be our same bodies, but their perfected versions. After all, Jesus was completely recognizable after His

resurrection. It was His body because He still bore the scars of His torture and crucifixion. Consider these verses about the resurrection of believers: •

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“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable . . . For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:42, 52; read this whole passage). “He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11). “We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Simply put, our dead bodies (no matter the condition) will be raised and rejoined with our souls. But in the meantime “we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling” (2 Corinthians 5:2). I believe wholeheartedly that if we had a better understanding of heaven and of being in the presence of our Savior for eternity, we would be much less attached to this world and much busier serving Him.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Revelation 21:1 Ever since the big mistake by Adam and Eve, this has been a fallen world. Sin has reigned and the earth has deteriorated. As a result, “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22). Likewise, we believers “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies” (verse 23). There is a time of great distress coming, such that the world has never seen. Things are going to be so bad that the Lord is going to recreate the heavens and the earth afterwards. Can you imagine such a scenario? This moment when Jesus returns as Conqueror is mentioned in multiple places in the Bible as the “Day of the Lord ” (Joel 2:1–2; Amos 5:18–27; Zephaniah 1; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11; 2 Peter 3; etc.). It is a bad day for earth—and also for the first and second heavens, as it relates to our study. “All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll ” (Isaiah 34:4a). You might be wondering when this will happen. Well, the reality is that man has been trying to figure that out ever since Jesus left the first time. The Bible tells us the answer is impossible to know. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13). “The day of the Lord will come like a thief ” (2 Peter 3:10a). With all the misery and pain in this world, why hasn’t the Lord returned before now? Enough already! The reality is, He wants everyone to have as much time as possible to turn to Him. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9b). When the fullness of time had come for the laws spelled out in the Old Testament to be fulfilled through Jesus, He made His first appear-

ance (Galatians 4:4–5). Likewise, there is a future day when Jesus will return. When this will happen, we don’t know. However, Matthew 24:14 tells us what has to be accomplished first: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” There has to be a witness for Christ among every people group on earth before He comes back. When God the Father finally dispatches His Son to return, He will come with brute force. “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare (or burned up)” (2 Peter 3:10). In its place will be “a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (verse 13). It will be a day to remember.

[An angel] carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. Revelation 21:10 John was the only one of Jesus’ twelve disciples to live into old age. Most or all of the rest are believed to have died as martyrs. While John was exiled on Patmos for his faith, God gave him visions of the future and of Jesus coming a second time to establish His kingdom forever. This would be a time of great shaking, something the world had never seen. These visions became known as the Revelation to John, or the book of Revelation. As you can imagine, John uses a lot of imagery to describe what he is seeing, so it is hard for us to really know what he saw in some cases. Some of it can be downright confusing, and scholars smarter than you and I can’t agree on some of the meaning. Let’s look at what John saw in Revelation 21:9–27 after he was shown a new heaven and a new earth. It is called the New Jerusalem, and the description is quite breathtaking. This city, in John’s day and the present, is primarily tied to the Jewish people. Thus, the description relates to them in particular. For example, this “Holy City” has twelve gates, three on each side, and on each gate is the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The city walls also have twelve foundations, which have the names of the twelve disciples on it. Get the point? However, it will literally be a heaven on earth for all believers. We are told to look forward to it (Hebrews 13:14). Now let’s read the amazing description. Perhaps most extraordinary to us is the fact that this city is a perfect cube; it is three-dimensional! It

measures an incredible 1,400 miles long, wide, and high, with 200-foot walls. This city “shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal” (verse 11). The wall foundations are a “who’s who” of precious and semi-precious stones: jasper, sapphire, agate, emerald, onyx, ruby, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, turquoise, jacinth, and amethyst (the true identification of all these stones is not certain). The gates are made of a single pearl and the streets of gold are “as pure as transparent glass” (verse 21). In ages past, the Jewish people worshipped God in a mobile tabernacle, and later in a temple in Jerusalem. The last temple was destroyed about forty years after Jesus went up, or ascended, to heaven. In this New Jerusalem, there won’t be a temple or a need for one. Why not? Both God the Father and Jesus will dwell in this city. Can you imagine? It will be a place of perfection for all eternity. Just as God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, paradise will be recreated and intimate fellowship with Him will be restored. This is truly heaven on earth. Sounds like a place everyone should want to live, yes? However, “only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” will be there (verse 27b). The only way to get your name in this book is to believe in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Throughout this month-long journey, we have begun answering some questions and even doubts we may have about heaven. For believers, one of my main purposes in writing this is to get you excited about heaven and to encourage you to tell others who don’t yet believe. For those of you who are not Christians, I want to inform you of what the Bible says about heaven and to convince you of its existence. There is a final piece of information you need about heaven, and that is how to get there. It’s really a rather simple, yet profound, step that is necessary for entry. I’ve touched on it here and there throughout our journey. Despite what you may hear from friends, family, other religions, or the media, there is only one way to heaven. It’s not a place for all good people. You can’t get there by being nice or doing enough good things. In fact, there is nothing you can do to earn your place there. Heaven is more than a place, it is a Person. What makes heaven so wonderful is the fact that it is about a Who, not a where. We are in the presence of God for the rest of eternity. He is our Creator, our Healer, our Provider, our Redeemer (He rescued us), our Everything. The problem is, our sin separates us from Him. The consequences of sin, from the smallest to the greatest mess-ups, is death (Romans 6:23). Sin creates an immovable gap, a chasm no man can cross. So God the Father sent His Son to die for our sins on a Roman cross. He then raised Jesus from the dead, so that we could defeat death. The only way to get to heaven after death is to believe this to be truth. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except

through me” (John 14:6). He is the only way to heaven. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved ” (Acts 4:12). The Bible paints a clear picture of what you must do: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). It’s more than reciting a simple prayer. Believe it in your heart so that it overflows out of your mouth. Jesus is Lord! He loves you and gave Himself for you. To the Christian and non-Christian alike, let me end with this. We don’t have the answers to all of life’s questions, including those about heaven. Even if we were told the answers, we probably couldn’t comprehend it all. What we can have is trust, a trust that can see us through every hardship, even to the moment of physical death. This is a trust in Someone who loves us more than we could ever love Him. Please put your trust in Him today.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24–25 If you read the verse above, then you already get the title for today. Once we become Christians, we give up our lives and selfish pursuits and live to serve God. In his book Mere Christianity, former atheist C.S. Lewis wrote: “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.” And that is a message I want to leave you with in this study on heaven. Until we are called to our future home, we need to do the most we can for the Lord while we are in this temporary place. God put us here to do good works for Him. We are not saved by these works, as some legalistic Christians claim, but we are saved for these good works (Ephesians 2:8–10). Works are just the fruit of the salvation that has rooted itself in our souls; they are the natural overflow of God living within us through the Holy Spirit. Peter reminds us that one day this world will pass away. Knowing this truth, we are called to live differently than our natural and sinful inclinations. “What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” (2 Peter 3:10–11). This is our charge. As a result of giving our lives to God and living for Him on a daily basis, we will not be focused on gaining earthly possessions that eventually decay and turn to dust. Instead, we will focus on acts of service that store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–21).

So, what should we be doing? What will create treasures in heaven? Spiritually speaking, every believer has been charged with sharing Jesus to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8). Practically speaking, look no further than Matthew 25:35–36 for a list of ways to help others in need: feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, help the homeless, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the prisoner. One day, we will all be judged for our actions, believer and nonbeliever alike. The Lord will be sitting in what is called the judgment seat (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). People will stand before God and list all the “good works” they did. However, none of our actions will ever be good enough for entry into heaven, as the Bible clearly states. If our names are written in the Book of Life, though, our heavenly destination is secure (Revelation 20:11–15). Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross wiped our slate clean in the eyes of God, and we have been set free from an eternity without Him (Ephesians 1:13–14). So let’s be about the Father’s business while there is still time! We will close tomorrow with even more motivation.

“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” Matthew 16:27 Let me close this study by elaborating further on our reward in heaven. We were reminded yesterday that we are not saved by our works, but are expected to do good works. It is a natural overflow of loving and serving Jesus. There are many verses in the Bible that seek to motivate us toward good works that increase our reward in heaven. Maybe this surprises you. Perhaps you think this is wrong and that you should feel guilty for wanting and seeking reward in heaven, but this is a good and proper motivation (Hebrews 11:26). The Bible warns of the pitfalls of wealth in this life. It is not that wealth is bad, but we shouldn’t put our hope and fulfillment in it. Rather, we should “be rich in good deeds” (1 Timothy 6:17–19). As a result, anyone who builds this kind of wealth “will lay up treasures for themselves” in heaven (verse 19). See the cause and effect? Think about this story in Matthew 25:14–30. Three servants are expected to be fruitful with the resources they are given to steward by their master. What is the result of being fruitful? “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! ” (verse 21). It’s right there in black and white. Working hard for God equals treasures and reward in heaven, which in this case means more to steward for Him. There are some specific actions that result in reward in heaven:

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Working for the Lord (Matthew 16:27; 1 Corinthians 3:8, 14; 2 John 8) Leaving home and family behind to tell others about Jesus (Mark 10:29–30)

Being insulted and persecuted because of Jesus (Matthew 5:11–12) Selling possessions and giving to those in need (Luke 12:33–34) Loving your enemies (Luke 6:35) Caring for the poor and the sick (Luke 14:13–14)

Jesus will one day return. He will “give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:12; also 2 John 8). We will stand before God as He judges every human who has ever lived. If our names are in the Book of Life, we are saved for eternity. This is our greatest reward. We will also “give an account of ourselves to God ” (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10) and be rewarded accordingly, whatever form it may take (1 Corinthians 3:12–15). May we long to love and honor God all the days of our life, to serve Him by serving others. Then, we can say as Paul did near the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7–8). As we look toward heaven—and more specifically, God in heaven— let’s strive to finish this race well.