Heaven: Our Hope in Christ

Let's Begin

It is the one aspect of the Christian faith, with which the world even had some familiarity. It's where we tell our children that our loved ones who have passed away are now. It's Heaven. And, our understanding of the nature of Heaven, even for a believer in Christ, can be a bit inaccurate at times. The truth of it, or what we can ascertain from scripture, is so much better than the popular image of angels playing harps on clouds for eternity. For those with that view, allow me to attempt to shed some Biblical light on the topic.

*I owe much of the following to a great sermon by Mike Fabarez of Compass Bible church and Focal Point Ministries. Check him out and the sermon archive @ http://www.focalpointministries.org 

Ok...are you back?...let's begin. 

Step-by-Step what can we expect

I suppose it is easiest to break down the nature and reality of the "New Heaven and New Earth" as referenced often in the Bible by beginning with what would seem to be the most obvious aspect: it is literally a New Heaven and Earth

1. Literally a New Earth for believers to dwell: 

We look around at our physical bodies and our environment and despite the processes of aging and the pain that sometimes occurs, we seem at home in them.

The Bible is clear that we were created for these types of bodies, and though they ache and groan now (Romans 8:22-24), we know as mirrored in Christ's bodily resurrection that we are destined for a glorified, perfected version of this body for our eternal dwelling. 

Related Sidebar

As a side note, remember this reality of a physical eternal body and soul applies to those who reject Christ and dwell in Hell as well. So next time someone tells you God is going to just make them vanish, correct the misguided theology. Hell is a physical place just as the new Heaven and Earth are physical abodes. We are made for a physical world. Whether eternally secure in Christ, or eternally away from God's goodness, it is a physical reality- (Reference: Acts 24:14-15; Matthew 10:28; Luke 16:23; Rev 19:20 & 20:10;) 

Back to Heaven 

We learn in 2 Peter 3:10 that the current Heaven and Earth will pass away by fire and be replaced with a new Heaven and Earth. This happens at the very end of our age, and those who have perished currently reside either in a temporary place of presence of Christ, or a place of suffering (Luke 16:23).

The concept of a new, perfected Earth should please everyone out there. Look at any environmental campaign and realize that even secular society would love to see the earth back in a perfect state. The only time global warming and issues like this will be solved is after God completely does away with it, and remakes it without our stain of sin that we brought upon the original perfect world.

2. New Major City on New Earth- New Jerusalem

The Apostle John (author of Revelation) is given a glimpse of this new Heaven and Earth and a new Holy city (New Jerusalem) where Christ dwells with His people eternally. It is literally God among us in Christ. The coolest thing about the city is its grand description. For a detailed look check Rev 21:10, but here are some highlights.

-Appearance of many precious stones, shining with the light of God's glory

-12 Gates with 12 angels and the 12 tribes of Israel named (1 per gate). 

-Foundations of precious stones

-12,000 stadia in length and as tall as it is long (about 1400 miles)

We basically are given a picture of a 3 dimensional perfect cube that would stretch from Southern California east to Louisiana, north to the great lakes, west to Vancouver, and south again to California. 

New York City eat your heart out! This is simply one part of the new Earth, but it is the primary dwelling for believers and Christ, and is called the New Jerusalem. I'm sure we will have ample opportunity to explore the rest of the New Earth with our glorified bodies too.

3.Everything Bad is Removed

No matter how good your day was today, deep down, it still was not a completely satisfying day. Even our best days on this Earth are tainted by sin's hold, and we have not and cannot achieve perfect satisfaction anytime in this life. Sorry to break that news to you, but think how much grander our next life will be. It is definitely something to which we eagerly look forward. No more sin means we will not have pain, mourning, crime, dishonesty, injustice, or any other negative aspects of our current existence. 

4.Good is Increased

Not only do we get the huge blessing of all bad things being removed, but the good things are actually increased. We will reach a state of total fulfillment in Christ in this new dwelling and drink from the water of life (Rev 22:1) All good aspects from this current life are highlighted and perfected. We will finally be fully satisfied in everything (Psalm 16:11). Current creation groans (Rom 8:22-24) under the curse of sin, and it's effect is felt by all of creation, not just mankind. The New Heavens and Earth are perfect again without possibility of sin, as "death and hades were thrown into the lake of fire" (Rev 19 and 20).

5.The Throne of God is in the city (New Jerusalem)

Christ will be physically present and we will serve him in various ways. Heaven will not be an endless, perpetual worship service that the preacher described when you were a kid. We will have activities and things to do. 

6. We are going to serve Christ---Jobs perfected (Rev 7:15)

Work was in existence prior to the fall. God's plan has involved serving in fellowship from the beginning. Adam was the caretaker of the garden, and had a responsibility. If we are honest, if work were perfected, we'd embrace it, as anyone can attest to the boredom that comes from simply doing nothing for an extended period of time. Because God cursed the ground after the fall, mankind worked by the sweat of the brow. We will not labor and toil with heat and sweat and frustration in Heaven. We will serve perfectly in a task perfectly suited to each of our individual talents. 

Heaven will not be boring because we will have tasks and accomplishments and fellowship and activities. It will not be sitting around with a harp all day on a cloud (we've established this is an eternal Earthly existence, not disembodied spirits on clouds).

7. We Will Be Completely Secure (No more worries) : Rev 3:12 & 22:4

Believers who have trusted in Christ during their first life, but still had worries about day to day things, will finally have nothing about which to worry. In Heavenly existence on the New Earth, our eternal security is sealed by God with His name written on our foreheads, ensuring that nothing can take us out of the presence of God.

[We must remember this is similarly eternal on the opposite side, so the idea of punishment in Hell that somehow ends after a period of time, is not Biblical teaching.]

Still, the hope of this wondrous future existence should compel us to spread God's word even more thoroughly. After all, who wouldn't want a pain free, worry free, fully perfected existence in an environment with which we are familiar? 

8. We Will Reign Forever

In 1 Corinthians 6:3, Paul scolds the Corinthian church for their inability to even judge little things between church members, saying, how can you be expected to judge Heavenly things, if you can't agree on earthly. He tells them that we will someday judge even the angels (Paraphrased). This verse presents two concepts worth noting: 

A) We will hold some position of leadership in Heaven/New Earth

B) Angels are on a different order/class than Humans, and while both are created beings, we are two distinct creatures. We will not grow angel wings after death. 

The Concept of leadership is tied into the Biblical idea of measures of reward for believers in Heaven.  (Luke 19). Believers, though not judged for salvation-sake, will have their lives examined thoroughly to determine the measure of reward they receive in this new existence. We will be given a measure of some authority based on our "fruit" that we bore after becoming believers. I find the concept of being able to lead in some capacity intriguing, especially because in a perfect world, the frustrations and trials that come to leaders won't be there. Mike Fabarez summarizes the concept well by saying, "Reward in Heaven is a measure/level of leadership in Perfect Economy." 

Certified Refurbished 

Our Earthly bodies now are how we are meant to be designed, minus the aging and wrinkling and other signs of the curse of sin. We will be glorified, but our nature as humans remains intact.

A good way to look at it is we are made up of Hardware (the physical body) and software (the soul/spirit). Immediately at death, the hardware (body) is hanging out in the ground while our software (soul) goes to either paradise or punishment. God will resurrect everyone someday [Daniel 12] (more on this for another blog), reunite the hardware and software, glorify it, and condition us for eternal existence, either with Him or apart from Him. Certified refurbished in perfection is one way to view it.  Same body, newly made. 

Summary

It's easy for our unbelieving world, and even many Christians to dismiss any thoughts towards Heaven because of our culture's misconceptions as to its reality and nature. Since we were originally created for this earth, the idea of a perfect, glorified reign on a New, Perfected Earth eternally makes sense. To be disembodied spirits for eternity does not fit with our nature as God created us, and were it not for the fall of mankind, we'd already be physically living and dwelling on perfect Earth in perfection. 

The redemption bought by Christ on the cross, looks forward to a day when the Old Heaven and Earth will pass away by fire, and a New Heaven and Earth will be made. It looks to an eternal existence in the fellowship with God for which we were originally created.

Those worried about the earth's current deteriorating state should long for a relationship with Christ for the hope that comes through His promises of the world that is to come. Faith in Christ is not faith in empty words or nothing. It is faith with evidence. The faith is there for the unknown aspects of our Christian walk, but God makes the essential things abundantly clear in His word. It is by our faith in Christ and indwelling of His Spirit that we begin to understand the grand plan of God and our roles in the world after this one. 

The Bible makes it clear that an eternity with God is not a chore or a bore. It is living at our full potential, perfected, and perpetually in the presence of our creator. What a blessed hope indeed!

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*To hear the sermon by Mike Fabarez on "The New Jerusalem and the Lake of Fire", visit https://focalpointministries.org/product/sorting-out-the-end-times-part-12/

Why I Blog...

When I set out to start writing this blog, I had multiple ideas in mind. In part I had my mom's great example and wanted to partially mirror that type of content (http://laughingwithleeann.blogspot.com). I also wanted a way to speak my mind and thoughts without a comment section for backlash if it didn't sit well. Ultimately, I wanted it to be an open forum for myself to encourage others, or maybe just me really.

As I read back, I see that it has taken on a decidedly Christian tone, and I am actually quite pleased with that. I understand sometimes it comes off as less than readable with the multi-paragraph/page format that is more suitable to a college research paper.

In a way, I like that though. The people who really want to get something out of it, or strengthen their faith, or even just open themselves up to my worldview, will be willing to read through the whole thing, and take insight (I hope).

I like where it has come to this point. I have no real idea as to where it will be going. Ideally, I'd like to compile some of the more relevant Christian posts in to a book or journal format and proofread them for possible publishing. I'm not sure I've got the writing talent to pull that off. I certainly only have God for my credential, as I hold no religious doctorate or pastoral position. My minor in religious studies from OSU may hold some credit, as I took all the available religion classes at the time (though only one great guy taught them all).

If anyone out there finds these a blessing or a benefit, I am thankful for that. In this format, I really mean for the focus to be on just letting my thoughts flow. They come out in the tone that they do because I generally don't edit or censor initially. I think maybe only one or two posts have been majorly adjusted. I like to let the writing and thought process move on its own without interfering much. Some of the posts that I checked back with the least ended up being the most read, so I'm hoping deep down somewhere is a hint of writing talent. I'd certainly like to pursue that in some avenue if so.

For now, enjoy what's available, and don't forget to check back into last year's posts as there are definitely some goodies. Stay tuned, hopefully I'll say something interesting!

The Non-Negotiable Doctrine

***Random Thought Intro***
I am not always sure what compels me to write some mornings. I generally just begin typing and let the words come out as they will. My mind is usually awash with so many competing thoughts that it's difficult to focus.

I have been doing/listening to/taking notes on, a sermon series by my current favorite preacher/teacher, Mike Fabarez on "Sorting out the End Times," recently and it is by far the best lesson on the topic that I've ever had.

***Background***

I truthfully recommitted my Christian life after reading the "Left Behind" books and realizing (through that fictional drama) that there was more to being a Christian than just going to youth events for laser tag and a devotional. Though I did learn the value of fellowship with the youth, I feel that I am the loner of the bunch in regards to where my spiritual path has led me.

Lest anyone take this wrong, I am certainly thankful for those years in terms of adolescent transitioning to adult development. There were great life lessons to be had, and a lot of fun. We did get into the Bible once in awhile, but I recall the attention spans of us all being short and limited for that part of the night.

Perhaps, an incident I still recall from my time after the group is what still nags me a bit and causes me to pause and reflect in a more neutral way on my time there. I recall as I was studying the Book of Revelation (for new Christians, please don't start with this one--I was an odd ball), being invited back to speak a little bit during one of the weekly Bible studies. I'd been in college a year or so, so naturally felt I had the knowledge and life experience to explain Revelation to these youth.

I will grant that it was not the best plan for my first attempt to lead a Bible study, but it wasn't the Revelation part that ended up stunning me that day. A statement made during that time, when everyone had gotten riled up and started questioning before I even touched on the Rapture of the Church (another dangerous topic to present to Methodists), really cut me spiritually, and made me wonder where the church really stood on matters of faith.

I had gone to a non-denominational church during college enough to realize that "salvation" and "trusting in Jesus for Salvation...i.e. being Saved" was a concept that had not been touched on in my time as a Methodist. Maybe touched upon, but never using those common words. I knew enough about Christianity to realize that Jesus was (and still is) the only way to salvation. I knew the verses to back it up, and I recall suggesting during this Bible study that He was the only way.

The response that met my assertion was one that seems to be plaguing the church today. It was a response that as best I can recall, challenged my reading of John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life and NO ONE comes to the Father but by me." This key verse in Christianity is one of many instances that Christ asserted that He was and is the only means by which we can be saved. The statement was challenged, though I cant' recall the exact words, and my view of my home church, full of people I loved so much..was tainted.

I doubt anyone else that was there remembers this, and perhaps I've blown it up in my mind over the years, but I truly could not figure out how professing Christians (Methodist or not) could not fully, 100% accept this statement as a foundational doctrine of our faith.

***The Non-Negotiable***

There are aspects of Christianity that are foundational doctrine that are truly salvation issues, and that is one for sure. We can divide some truths with the "non-salvation" issues if we are truly seeking harmony between churches, but we cannot under any circumstance disregard or throw away the fundamental tenants of Christianity.

One of my previous blogs had them listed in more detail, but for the purpose of this one, the assertion, Made by Christ, out of His own mouth, and not the mouth of His then followers, that He was (and is) truly God, and the only way to be reconciled to God, is a non-debatable faith doctrine. The mere suggestion that this isn't the case, immediately damages our witness as Christians. If we cannot even acknowledge what Jesus, the "founder" of Christianity said Himself, how can we expect anyone to ever trust the faith?

I notice in today's culture that many respectable pastors have taken to this "sorta, kinda, maybe he was," view of Jesus that I caught a glimpse of that day. One of my biggest challenges in my Christian walk is dealing with the constant barrage of anti-Christian sentiment that comes daily in our media and culture. Perhaps more troubling; however, is professing Christians holding to non-Christian beliefs and doctrines in an effort to make the faith more pleasing to man.

Jesus made it clear we were set apart from this world. Pleasing man with Christ's teaching was never the goal. It is God we seek to please.

Ironically, the flaky Christians and non-Christians of our day, love the "moral teacher" version of Jesus. They acknowledge his love of everyone, and associate him with the golden rule, forgetting all the while that it was Jesus Himself who talked about the exclusivity of a Christian walk. It was Jesus who spoke of our culture's most hated of 4-letter words, "Hell."

The buddy Christ image doesn't fly doctrinally unless we have fully trusted on Him for salvation and accepted His grace. If someone is still living in unbelief, that nice moral teacher Jesus they have created for themselves is not gonna be the first guy they want to see when they leave this world.

In the letters to the churches in the first chapters of Revelation, we see a glimpse of Jesus as he truly is today. He is not Jesus meek and mild, but Jesus glorified, at the right hand of the Father, ready to come and judge a world that 2000 years later still refuses to acknowledge Him. For Christians, it is a Jesus of hope because we trust only in Him to be saved from this judgment on sin.

One thing I  never really thought about until a year or so ago is what are Christians "saved" from? To be "saved" there must be something to be saved from.

I've heard preachers claiming we are saved from bad feelings, or from living immorally. I've heard stories of preachers even preaching that Christians can be "saved" from excess weight.

Truthfully, Biblically, and with all the conviction I can muster, let me state that we are saved from the Wrath of God. It's a harsh phrase for our delicate sensibilities these days, but it's the absolute final word on that, Biblically.

This isn't the Gospel of Chris, and if I say something that seems exclusivist or intolerant, realize that it was Jesus who said it first. The Sugar-coated gospel is not an option in a culture that hates Christians currently. Without the conviction of God's Holy spirit through faithful and honest preaching of God's word, we are simply living as the world.

Like the often used example of the Laodicean church, we are lukewarm, preferring to ride the fence instead of risking offense of someone on either extreme. Jesus says he will spew that church from his mouth, as vomit. If that isn't a scary image, I don't know what is.

I worry for some friends who claim Christianity but practice something else. I worry for pastors who preach Christianity, but adhere to a false, worldly version.

***What should we Do?***

If we take Christ at face value, and at His own words, then every person on this earth should be moved and convicted. It is not a laughing matter, and as our world gets worse and worse, we come closer to the day when there will no longer be a choice. When the books will be closed, and we will stand naked without excuse in front of a righteous judge, not like our judges of this world. A judge who cannot be unrighteous and is therefore, by nature, fully just in all He says and does. If we think we can present a case before this judge, we have a harsh reality coming. Excuses abound here on earth for not committing our lives to Christ, but in most cases they are not grounded on anything but the popular opinion of the day. How can Christians be salt and light to a dark and tasteless world, if we claim Christianity while practicing pluralism? Or, if we claim Christianity while incorporating other religions into our worship and daily lives?

We've got the final authority, written, confirmed, and ready to speak the truth. We've had it for years, and no argument against its validity has ever been fully substantiated. The Bible is God's word for a lost world, and we do well to study it.

I suppose the point of this would be to encourage my Christian brother and sisters primarily to search back to Christ's teachings. Stop sugar coating the gospel and seeking to please the world. If we are truly practicing what Jesus preached we are probably going to be hated by the world, by family, by friends. At the very least we will face some awkward situations. It comes with the territory.

Christianity is full of love, but the love aspect is only realized once acknowledging that we have a serious problem. God is mad at us, and we need something to cover us from that anger. Because of God's love, He came down, as both man and God to fully realize the penance required for our sin. It's been taken care of in Christ. We need only put our trust in Christ for salvation from God's wrath. Not salvation from bad feelings or trouble at work (though God can certainly help with those things). Salvation from a rather scary prospect. Loving one another will come naturally to the Christian in right step with God. We are justified by faith, and prove that justification through our daily sanctifying of ourselves to be fruitful. We do it with Christ. Through no other. No compromise, it's time to stand firm brothers and sisters. No more flaky gospel, no more Gospel of inclusion and tolerance. The Gospel will appear exclusivist and intolerant to those perishing. It is our job to show love and thoroughly explain why our Gospel is exclusive and ultimately the only true Gospel. We must become more learned in our faith, and stop sitting on the sidelines. How can we make disciples of the world, if we cannot even acknowledge the one who called us to do so? Christ was offensive, Christ was radical, and Christ was and is unique...there is no other way but by Him.

******Another resource**********
For a previous post regarding the exclusivity of Christ, see "No Other Name." Praise God that to date, it is the most read Christian blog that I have posted!

Cuando tú no estas aqui...

For the first time since we have been married, Juliet and I are not in the same location. Well, she did make a short trip to Georgia back in the first year, but otherwise, we have essentially seen each other every night of our marriage.

She went down for a visit to Mexico to see her family and take care of some things, and I get to hang up here in the states and work....someone wins more in that deal.

I've switched my diet back to college bachelor (buffalo wings, frozen pizza and soda), so that's doing wonders for me I assure you. You know you are aging when the foods which caused you to lose weight in college, suddenly give you heartburn and an overall since of...well what I can only describe as blah feeling. Got a salad for work tonight to offset some of the damage I've done in the past few days.

It's also a time that I am using to catch up on some movies that I've missed for one reason or another. And, much like how it happened when she was in Georgia, or gone for any other length of time before, I miss her.

Our relationship has an element of understanding each other without necessarily speaking all the time. I know she's in Mexico, enjoying time with family, checking on health and generally re-booting herself after working hard the past few years up here. Still, I feel like talking to her now. The puppies miss her because if I say "mama" they get all excited like she's coming through the door any minute. I've avoided that word to not get them worked up, and they do ok with just "daddy" for now.

It's weird because when we dated, I was calling her non-stop (to the point of annoyance). I was also less secure at that time in the relationship, so that played a part. We are strong enough in our marriage that I don't need to sit around worrying about her all the time, but I do still think about her a lot when we aren't together.

Maybe it's because we are each other's only friends these days. My old friends have fallen away for one reason or another, and hers as well. We spend a good portion of time lounging together. I'm guessing it's for this reason that the house feels pretty empty without her there. I'm alone with my thoughts for a good portion of the day. I've been working this week, so during most days I'm asleep, which helps. This weekend will be the time to fully entertain myself.

I thought about going to Oklahoma or even Mexico, but with the driving I'll have to do next week when I pick her up, we will have used so much gas in the past month that we could've bought our own station.

I'm thinking I'm going to pay my Jubilee family a visit tomorrow for church familiarity, and maybe catch a movie on the way home since the theater my gift cards work at is on the way home from the church. Otherwise, I'm hoping to chat with Juliet a bit on Facetime so she can see her puppies, and I can get in some quality talk time.

Reflective as I may seem, I can't deny that to an extent, the freedom to eat badly and watch a bunch of movies does have its appeal to my baser instinct. Still, without Juliet to share the laughs and the love, I'll be missing a piece of me until she gets back next week.

Ahh...love....