Some people don’t believe in heaven. Some say heaven is not a real place, but just a state of mind, or some place where we go and become angels playing little golden harps. This didn’t do much for me as a youngster. Is Heaven for real? Does it even exist? If so, where is it, and what is it like there?
Hope and promise of Jesus in: John 14: 1-3
2 Peter 1:19 “We have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 “…Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But wait a minute, most people fail to read the next verse that says, verse 10: “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit…”
You see, God has revealed these things by the Holy Spirit to the prophets, who wrote them down for us. And no doubt, the half has not been told!
Revelation 21:1, 2 “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
Acts 3:20, 21 - “And that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”
WHAT IS GOD GOING TO RESTORE?
God is going to restore everything Adam and Eve lost! The earth came from the hands of the Creator in splendor and perfection, beautiful beyond description.
Genesis 6:5 - People became vile and immoral and “the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Genesis 12:1, 2 - The Lord said to Abraham, “...Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.”
Abraham was willing to leave the luxury of his Chaldean home. He didn’t know where he was going, but he did have a glimpse of what God had in store for him.
But this great man of faith obeyed God - Hebrews 11: 9,10 “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
In fact, the Biblical prophets of all ages believed and looked forward to the restoration of all things. God lists some of the Bible’s Hall of Faith in Hebrews, chapter 11.
Abraham, Enoch, Noah, Abel, Isaac, Rahab, David, and Samuel are just a few of the great people of faith who believed in God’s promise to restore what Adam and Eve lost.
Notice what the Bible says about these heroes: Hebrews 11:13, 16 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, were assured of them, embraced them. . . . 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.”
Isaiah 65:17 - “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”
Isaiah 60:18 “Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.”
Isaiah 11:6 - “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat.... and a little child shall lead them.”
Heaven is going to be a real place, real people doing real things.
Isaiah 33:24 “And the inhabitant shall not say, ‘I am sick’.” No heart attacks, no cancer, no allergies-just perfect health for eternity! Isn’t that great news?
Isaiah 35:5 - “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened.”
Isaiah 35:5,6 - “...The ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, then the lame shall leap as a deer.” No more wheelchairs! No more crutches! Everyone will have perfect bodies. I’ll be able to run on this bum ankle of mine. Won't be complaining about a sore back all the time.
Isaiah 35:6 - “...And the tongue of the dumb sing.” Not only will I be able to talk ,but sing! Branson hasn’t heard anything yet. Wait until I can sing. What a happy day that will be!
Isaiah 35:1 - “The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.”
Isaiah 65:21 - “They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat; for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.”
Isaiah 66:22, 23 - “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me,’ says the Lord, ‘so shall your descendents and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another,shall all flesh come to worship before me,’ says the Lord.”
Isaiah 35:10 - “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
We will worship and praise God for the great joy that comes form being in His presence. It will be a wonderful, joyful celebration as the saved come each Sabbath to the Holy City to praise and sing and have fellowship.
Do you remember the promise of Jesus? Didn’t He say that He is building us each a mansion. We’ll enjoy that, but Isaiah said we too will build houses!
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Revelation 21:1-3, 11, 17, 21 “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea,” verse1.
“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband,” verse 2.
“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God,” verse 3.
“... Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal,” verse 11.
“Then he measured its wall:144 cubits [66 meters] . . .” verse 17.
“The twelve gates were twelve pearls . . .” So there are pearly gates!" verse 21
“... a great and high wall ... and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.” verse 12
“... The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” verse 21
“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” verse 23
Revelation 22:1, 2, 5 - “. . . a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” “. . . On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month . . .” “There shall be no night there . . .”
The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the capitol-New Jerusalem.
Revelation 22:3 - “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it . . .”
Revelation 21:4: “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.” No more pain and heartache of losing loved ones through death.
Revelation 21:16 - John gives exact details as to the size of this city: “And the city is laid out as a square, its length is a great as its breadth. And he [that is, the angel] measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs.”
A furlong is one-eighth of an English mile-thus 12,000 furlongs would be about 2400 kilometers around]. Ancient cities were measured by the distance around the outside walls. So the city would be approximately 600 km or 375 miles on each side.
And perhaps you are wondering if this city will be large enough for the saved.
Tokyo has nearly 35 million people living in the city. Greater New York City houses over 20 million people. Seoul and Mexico City also have nearly 20 million each.
One mathematician has estimated that the New Jerusalem, however, could house two billion people! In other words, there will be room for everyone who wants to be there. And God can make it bigger if He needs it.
And each Sabbath we will be praising God and singing with the angels and Jesus—our special time to fellowship with our Lord.
Well, you may ask, “How can we be certain that we can be there?
Galatians 3:29 “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
In other words, if you accept Jesus as your Savior follow Him by faith as did Abraham this promise is yours too. We must commit fully to Jesus Christ – know Him as our Saving Lord.
As we study the Bible, it is interesting to notice that the first three chapters tells how God created the world and the paradise home for Adam and Eve. But Adam and Eve lost it all.
The last three chapters of the Bible give us a preview of God’s plan to restore what Adam and Eve lost-a beautiful tomorrow where our fondest dreams will come true!
Are you homesick for heaven? Do you want to be there? Is the desire of your heart to live with Christ in glory forever? Would you like to say, “Yes, Lord, I want to be with you. I long to be with you forever and ever and ever?”
Revelation 22:17 - God gives you the invitation: “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’.”
Don’t put it off! You can be a part of God’s fabulous tomorrow. Invite Him into your heart and heaven will be your home!