Deuteronomy 10:14 “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.”
Heaven, or the Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or supernatural place where beings such as deities, angels, souls, saints, or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside. According to the beliefs of some religions, heavenly beings can descend to Earth or incarnate and earthly beings can ascend to Heaven in the afterlife or, in exceptional cases, enter Heaven without dying. (copied) Nehemiah 9:6 “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”
What do you think of when you think of heaven? Can there really be a place of perfection filled with imperfect people and it still be heaven? Rest assured that there is a heaven and it is filled with people that are no longer imperfect.
Imperfection is eliminated by judgment. Sin is judged and punishment is given and all will be judged. The Scripture tells us: Romans 2:16 “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” A definite day of judgment is coming in which all will go on trial to see where their ultimate destination will be found.
Revelation 20:11-15 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
So the only two destinations are listed as heaven or hell or ultimately the lake of fire. The determining factor is simple: “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
I could spend some time describing hell and the lake of fire, but my purpose today is to tell you about being in heaven with Jesus. There is a small Christian campfire song that describes the sensation of heaven…Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace, I want to see my Savior’s face! Heaven is a wonderful place.
Heaven is described in Revelation 21. The Apsotle John was allowed to see ‘New Jerusalem’ and the wonderful things he described about how it ws build. We know there are mansions, and gold and precious jewels galore, but if I can be frank for a moment, Those things do not move me much. It probably did for people living in mud and stone houses, but I have no actual desire to live in a mansion. The gold and silver plus all the precious stones do not move me much or motivate me much. Maybe I’m an oddball, but there is only one thing in heaven that I want to see. I want to see my Savior, Jesus Christ my LORD. If I could but hear the words found in Matthew 25:23 “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
If I could hear those words from my Savior, then my timme on earth would be well worth it. The loss of those I love will be worth it. The truth I have spoken that was rejected will be worth. The pain and anguish I have felt over my life will be worth it. For heaven to heaven for me, it is simply hearing that my life on earth has pleased the LORD.
What are your goals? Paul spoke of running a race and seeing the prize waiting at the end of his course. 1Corinthians 9:24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” 2Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
The final place to look forward to is found in Revelation 21:1-4 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
No death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain (physical or mental) all tears wiped away? Now that is the description of heaven that moves me. Want to join those going to live in that wonderful place? Ask Jesus Christ to save you and make you a child of God. Is it really that simple?
Paul tells us it is in Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
If you need more help, come visit Vian Baptist Church any Sunday. I will be glad to open the Bible with you and show you the scriptures you need to understand to be saved.
