Hover over Romans 1:20-22 for proof of God's existence, and over Matthew 5:27-28 for Judgment Day’s perfect standard. Then hover over John 3:16-18 for what God did, and over Acts 17:30-31 for what to do.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Heaven is Ridiculous

"I have a pretty good concept of what you think Hell is, but no idea really about Heaven. So, I have a request...could you describe Heaven for us. What's that like? What goes on there? Where is it?" Nafa

The concept of Heaven is ridiculous. That's what I used to think. It wasn’t the location that bothered me, it was the notion that it could be a reality. It couldn't work. This was my reasoning. A young couple are married. They love each other with a deep and undying love. He tragically dies a year after they are married, and goes to Heaven to wait for her. She still loves him and remains faithful to him. She never remarries. Then she goes to be with him in Heaven, when she's a senile and wrinkled 98-year-old. He wouldn’t recognize her and she wouldn’t remember him. The concept of Heaven was nice, but in reality, seemed ridiculously impossible.

Then I came to know the Lord in 1972, and quickly changed my mind. Remember, that’s why science changes its mind. It gets more information. I realized that if an invisible God could, in a moment of time, supernaturally change me into a new person, Heaven could exist. If a man promises to give me ten million dollars, and freely gives me a million dollars as a token of good faith, he has proven himself to me to be utterly trustworthy. That's what God does. He gives those who obey Him the experience of new birth (the Holy Spirit) as a token of good faith. This is the teaching of the Bible: "He has also appropriated and acknowledged us as His by putting His seal upon us and giving us His Holy Spirit in our hearts as the security deposit and guarantee of the fulfillment of His promise" (2 Corinthians 1:22, Amplified Bible).

As science has discovered in the last couple of centuries, we are surrounded by invisible realms. Take for instance television or radio waves. We can't see them, but they are there whether we believe in them or not. We now understand that we need a "receiver."

It's the same with the spiritual realm. It, like television and radio waves, is invisible to the human eye. To experience the power of God we need a "receiver," and that receiver is unplugged until we are "born of the Spirit" (see John 3:1-5). That’s why I thought Christianity was so foolish: "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The location of Heaven doesn't concern me. Just because I couldn't tell you the exact location of the country of Mauritania, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Most people don't realize that the Bible teaches that Heaven is coming down to earth. This is despite the fact that daily, millions pray "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." God is going to set up His kingdom on this earth. When it comes, He is going to remove the Genesis curse--that means that there will be no more floods, tornados, hurricanes, droughts, earthquakes, deserts, disease, weeds, pain, suffering, or death. It is then that the lion will lie down with the lamb. Creation will stop devouring itself (see Romans 8:18-25). Those who trust in Jesus Christ will be given brand new bodies that will be like the resurrected body of Jesus--bodies that can eat, touch, feel, etc., but will never age or feel pain or sorrow. All this all sounds too good to be true, but it can be a proven reality for those who obey the gospel.

Think of it--eternal life--on this wonderful earth restored to when it was like the Garden of Eden. A place where there are no rapists, no murderers, no pedophiles, no hypocrites, liars, blasphemers, or thieves. A place of perfect fruit, incredible animals, unimaginable color, massive waterfalls, amazing plants, more beautiful birds, bigger fish, grander canyons . . . and if you die in your sins, you are going to miss out, and instead end up in Hell--being punished for your sins, simply because of your prejudice and stubborn pride. What a tragedy.

One other thing. The Creator of the Universe--Almighty God (the One you don’t believe in) will be there. He will say, “Behold I make all things new,” and He doesn’t need to use His past creation as a blueprint. He is the ultimate Creator with the ultimate creativity. Before this world existed as we know it, who could ever have imagined a blue sky, a brilliant sun, myriads of birds, gorgeous flowers, multitudes of colorful fish, deep blue seas, and an array of incredible animals. But this time, He will make all things new. Completely. We are waiting for a new heavens (sky) and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17, 1Peter 3;13). We are also told that God will remove the sea Revelation 21:1. Imagine that. That will give us a little more room.

Scripture tells us a number of times that "God is light." So there will be no longer a need for the sun, because He Himself will radiate in all of His unspeakable glory.

Two thousand years ago He was manifest in human form to save us from death. However, Jesus of Nazareth is no longer the Man who was limited to time and space. He has ascended into Heaven and is "glorified"--in the state that He was in before He came to this earth. He now dwells in "light that is unapproachable," and shines "above the brightness of the sun."

Mere words could never express my infinite gratitude towards Him for giving me life, and then for saving me from being justly damned in Hell for my sins. But I will have eternity to love and worship Him at whose right hand are "pleasures forevermore." No enjoyment on this sad old earth has come even close to the unending pleasures that God has prepared "for those that love Him." This is the teaching of the Bible. And you are going to miss out, simply because you refuse to change your mind, repent, and trust the Savior.

Imagine . . . Heaven. On this earth. You no doubt think I’m a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will then live as one.