The Bible has more than 700 references to Heaven so it's a hot topic biblically. I'm getting closer to heaven as I'm aging, as we all are so perhaps we should be thinking about it. Also in my 20s I almost died and right now, very sadly a close friend has just passed away and unfortunately another friend has a terminal condition, so it is a subject that I’m thinking about and is weighing on my mind. There are people that say we’re close to the end times and they certainly give some compelling arguments that could be indications that we are moving towards that. If you listen to those that study this topic and know it inside out, you may want to watch this: https://youtu.be/SbeHIlYJujg
What do you think?
Some years ago a young friend of mine, in her early 30s, died of breast cancer, leaving a husband and two young children. The night before her funeral I dreamt of her in heaven with a particular hairstyle and clothing. When I rang her husband to encourage him before the funeral, he had also dreamt about her with the same clothing and hairstyle and location—a green field. So interesting isn’t it? That gave me a lot of peace and of course her husband also. As Christians, we have this wonderful hope that the pain and struggle in this lifetime is for a finite time and one day we are going to be in a better place.
The Bible has more than 700 references to Heaven so it's a hot topic biblically. I've got some verses for you below * and here is a summary of theGod made this place called heaven quite early in creation, on the second day actually, before the land, so it’s important in terms of priority. The Bible also affirms for us that Heaven is an eternal place where things don’t die and there is no evil. There’s no pain or sorrow, with mansions for each of us. We won’t need a light because all the light comes from Him and Jesus went there to prepare a place for us when He ascended into Heaven, after resurrecting from the cross. And from this place called Heaven, God looks and watches all of us.
One part of me can’t wait for pain and suffering, wars and inequalities to end and demonic pressures to finally be dealt with and not be ever challenging us. But another part of me wants to stay here as long as possible (I’m aiming at 100 years old) to take as many people with me as I can.
Let’s investigate this topic over the coming weeks on radio and here, to see what others have discovered and prepare ourselves, just in case we are moving closer to it. In the meantime, the apostle Paul talked about heaven, describing it in some detail in 1 Corinthians 15 and also telling us in 2 Corinthians 12 about a man who was caught up to heaven, seeing inexpressible things. Commentaries suggest that this was in fact Paul himself.
Jesus himself, also spoke about it from the cross to the thief, saying 'today you will be with me in paradise.' If we are Bible believing Christians, then we’ve got to believe in this place called Heaven. What a glorious time that will be when we get there!
I’m not sure, but perhaps. . . just maybe. . . it’s time to get ready.
Peta
Need to be relaxed to be able to thank others? 'De-stress God’s Way' could help you get practical strategies. Fortnightly De-stress God's Way online group coaching for ways to be peaceful about your relationships and conversations.
Listen to more-96three FM, 10.30 am Thursdays.
96three.com https://bit.ly/3i1AOFm
Or Vision radio 20twenty with Neil Johnson
Click Here to Get Inspiration with Daily Gems & Amens
* ‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.’ Matthew 6:19-29 NKJV
‘And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.’ Genesis 1:8 NKJV
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away…’ Revelation 21:4 NKJV
‘In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you..’ John 14:2 NKJV
‘And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light…’ Revelation 22:1-5 NKJV
‘But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.’ Hebrews 11:16 NKJV
‘And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.’ Luke 24:50-51 NKJV
‘From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth.’
Psalm 33:14 NKJV
'how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter…’ 2 Corinthians 12:4 NKJV
‘…there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body…’ 1 Corinthians 15:44 NKJV