The doctrine of heaven (#2 and last)

The book of Revelation describes God in all his glory sitting on his throne in New Jerusalem. Believers will see and know God personally. The Bible talks about the river of life springing up from the throne of God and on each bank of the river flowing through heaven will be the trees of life. The sights in heaven are going to be dazzling and believers will be there to see it. Believers will be in their resurrected and glorified bodies that never get sick or age. Remember that we’ll have a new body just like the one Jesus has. We can travel anywhere instantly and walk through walls. Our bodies will never get tired and there is no need to sleep in heaven because our bodies don’t need repairing.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 – Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will raise to David a branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Revelation 21:2 – Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Work will not be a drudge like it is now and we’ll all do something we love doing. God will match our jobs to suit our abilities and personality. God never makes mistakes so you can rest assured you’ll be doing what you were meant to do. That means you’ll be happy and fulfilled forever. And no telling what else we’ll be able to do in heaven. Revelation talks about heaven (New Jerusalem) descending to the earth and remaining suspended above the earth. It appears we’ll reside in New Jerusalem and work below in earthly Jerusalem. I suppose we’ll teleport back and forth as needed.

Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Isaiah 40:26 – Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; he calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing.

In heaven we won’t be floating around on a cloud strumming a harp all day. Heaven is going to be exciting and rewarding for the believer. The Bible isn’t clear what our duties and responsibilities will be in heaven but they will be commensurate with our rewards earned by service to God while we were on earth. The Bible does tell us we’ll be singing and worshipping God. Not out of obligation but out of love and joy for what God has done for us. The Bible also says we’ll exercise authority over angels and men. Not all of us, but those who have earned it.

Isaiah 44:23 – Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel.

Revelation 15:3-4 – They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You , O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.”

I’m thrilled that heaven will also be a place of learning forevermore. Primarily we’ll learn about God. The entire universe will be our playground and our laboratory for learning. Everything will become known to us. Wonders will never cease for those who live in heaven. And then we have the things God will give us and show us. The Bible says our minds cannot even begin to comprehend what good things God has in store for us whom he loves. We know that we will fellowship with other believers in heaven and they will be our friends forever. In heaven we will serves God in whatever capacity he requires of us and we’ll do it joyfully. We will want to please God in everything we do.

Revelation 22:3 – 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.

Revelation 22:5 – There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

I try not to focus too much on heaven or I’ll lose sight of the job I have to do down here on earth. I know God put each of here on this earth for two reasons. First, to seek God and accept his grace unto eternal life. Second, once we are saved we are to emulate Christ until we are called home. We do this by witnessing for Christ and doing good works so that men will see light of Christ in us and thereby glorify God. Because of the example we set some may accept God’s grace unto eternal life.