Heaven

 

Who deserves such a utopian inheritance? Only Jesus is worthy, and if we are in Him, we get it all by His grace.

 

1. In Jewish theology (which Jesus was raised in), there are actually THREE Heavens. Firstly the sky, the birds and clouds are in.  Secondly space, the sun and stars are in, and thirdly where God the Father is enthroned. The apostle Paul claims to have visited the third heaven and tells us plainly he can not speak of all that he saw there. 2nd  Cor. 12:1-4.

 

2. Heaven isn’t really far away. At one time, men saw Heaven open up, and  heard God’s voice from Heaven, Luke 3:21-22. God claims to open the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings upon us on earth, Malachi 3:10.

 

3. Children and Christians have angels in Heaven which are always before the Father’s face. This is a warning to the world and false Christians, that if offence is caused, God knows and will act!  Matthew 18:7-11

 

4. Jesus often looked up to Heaven, while he prayed, Mark 6:41 & 7:34, Lk. 9:16. The reason many of us look down while praying is because of our humility and unworthiness.

 

5. The Kingdom of Heaven is mentioned 32 times in the New Testament, and it rules in the hearts of men and women who are ‘in Christ’ and follow Him no matter what cost we incur personally.  Matthew 5:10.

 

6. Because of Heaven’s Kingdom ruling in our hearts, there is a since in which true Christians are already there “in Christ”, as our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, Luke 10:20,  Ephesians 1:3-4 & Revelation 13:8, 21:25.

 

7. We will receive rewards in Heaven for whatever effort we put into our discipleship, Matthew 5:12. Be careful to not “show off” your effort or cost of discipleship, because if we have the wrong motivation behind our discipleship, we can lose our reward in Heaven, Matthew 6:1.

 

8. Mortal flesh & blood can not inherit Heaven, neither will there be any marriage or giving in marriage in Heaven. We will be like angels, Mark 12:25, which obliterates the false theory of ancient humanity copulating with angels (Gen. 6:1-2). We will have a spiritual body in Heaven which is immortal, incorruptible, glorious and powerful, 1st Cor. 15:42-44.

 

9. Heaven is a very joyous place. Whenever anyone repents on earth, it affects Heaven’s angels. Luke 15:7.

 

10. Heaven is BIG and SAFE. 1500 miles long, high & wide, with walls 216 feet thick and 12 foundations. This is symbolic of God’s protection of everyone in Heaven from evil, pain & suffering. Heaven’s holiness is guarded for eternity, Revelation 21:10-25.

 

Prayer pointer for the week: Do we give God thanks in our prayers for this kind of inheritance? Heaven is our hope, Colossians 1:5.