Believe #7 What About Heaven?“I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.”

Revelation 21:10, 22-25.Then with the help of the Spirit, he took me to the top of a very high mountain. There he showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down from God in heaven. I did not see a temple there. The Lord God All-Powerful and the Lamb were its temple. And the city did not need the sun or the moon. The glory of God was shining on it, and the Lamb was its light. Nations will walk by the light of that city, and kings will bring their riches there. Its gates are always open during the day, and night never comes.

1. SORRY, NO DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF HEAVEN!

"The Bible tells us very little about the temperature of hell, or the furniture of heaven." - Pastor Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

“The Bible is distinguished from sacred books of false religion in not having minute details of heavenly bliss such as people's curiosity would crave. The grand feature of its blessedness is represented as consisting in holy personal union and immediate face to face communion with God…” - Fausset's Bible Dictionary

A fundamentalist Islamic preacher might say heaven is a place where every wish if fulfilled. A Mormon may talk about levels of heaven and how to get higher. A Buddhist might talk about the cycle of karma and rebirth and how there are heavens in that samsara cycle. Some Jewish rabbis in the writings of the Talmud talk of the seven levels of heaven. But Jesus doesn’t give details!

What do you think? Why does the Bible does not provide specific details of heaven and hell?

Perhaps because heaven is beyond human concepts! There is just no way that human language can capture the majesty and the reality of heaven. Like trying to explain photosynthesis to a two-year old. The language is not available.

Perhaps because we must not make heaven an idol! Perhaps if the Bible did say, “heaven is exactly like this” we might focus on that instead of focusing on our savior Christ? In fact, heaven is not our goal. Our goal is Christ – to become ‘conformed to his image’ (Romans 8:29) and like him in every way. Heaven is the stage for that!

2. ALL WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEAVEN? WHAT IT IS NOT, WHAT IT IS LIKE, HOW IT IS MORE!

A. VIA NEGATIVA - WHAT HEAVEN IS NOT

Heaven is not… TIME as we know it (Rev 21:1)Heaven is not… A CONTINUATION OF THIS LIFE. (Luke 20:34-36)Heaven is not… DEATH (1 Peter 1:3-4)Heaven is not… DARKNESS (Rev 22:5)Heaven is not… SADNESS OR CRYING (Rev. 21:4)

Heaven is not… PAIN (Rev 21:4)B. VIA ANALOGICA - WHAT HEAVEN IS LIKE

Just stop for a moment and remember a time in your life of real peace. Perhaps in that feeling is a small glimpse of what heaven is LIKE. Perhaps you have had some small glimpses of it in this life!

Heaven is like a new restored earth (2 Peter 3:13)

Heaven is like a home with many rooms (John 14:2-4, 2 Cor 5:1)

Heaven is like a holy temple… (Hebrews 8:1-2, Rev 21:22-25)

Revelation tells us there are no temples or churches in heaven. Why?

Heaven is like a beautiful city… (Hebrews 11:14-16)

For some of us who dislike cities this image may seem strange. But in the ancient world cities symbolized riches; cities were the place where it all happened. Think of a city in perfect harmony with nature.

Heaven is like a garden with a flowing river… (Gen 2:8-10, Rev 22:1-5)

Notice how the Bible starts and ends?

Heaven is like a great rest… (Hebrews 4:9-11)

The book of Genesis depicts God creating in six days, then on the seventh day resting as an example of rhythm, purpose and joy. Heaven is like that day of rest.

Heaven is like a great party or wedding feast… (Matt 21:1-13)

This image appears to be Jesus’ favourite – he uses it over and over again. Why?Heaven is like great joy and pleasure (Psalm 16:11)

C. VIA EMINENTIA: HOW HEAVEN IS MORE

Since we can’t describe heaven and we can’t give detail in human language we can talk ‘eminently’. We can say how much more than we can express it is! That’s what Jesus was getting at in Luke 20 when he told off the religious leaders. He was saying, ‘you fools, heaven is so much more than this existence’. Heaven is actually more solid, more real, more alive, so much more than this life!

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. - Philippians 3:20-21

The Apostles Creed says “I believe in the resurrection of the body, the life everlasting.” It is saying that heaven is real and solid. But it’s more real and solid – It is eminently better. The original meaning of the word ‘glory’ is ‘heavy’. So heaven is not lighter than earth but deeper, weightier, heavier. C.S Lewis explores this idea in his book “The Great Divorce” and it’s really worth reading.

You may hear many stories of heaven, but don’t get obsessed about the stories, instead focus on Christ. How heaven works I cannot tell you. Simply know that it is unity with God.

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. – Romans 6:5

Something to discuss and reflect on this week:

How should the assurance of heaven affect the way we live today?