Heaven

As a 501c(3) we hold monthly board meetings.  This is in line with our status as a church and our standing with the government.  Regularly, I’m asked to talk about Heaven.  It amazes me how controversial heaven has become.  When I was growing up, Heaven was where you went when you died.  Now it’s a place where all you do is tell God how wonderful He is, and sit around and eat ice cream all day.

There are a number of people out there speaking on Heaven and what the Bible says so make sure you check out those resources; but as we do, let me break it down into plain English and start at the very beginning.  Remember when people are asking about Heaven they are asking what life after death is like.  In order to grasp this concept, one must first understand creation.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and the Lord God fellowshiped.  The Lord God was there with him.  Adam’s job was naming the animals and learning everything he could.  God is not the kind of Father with interest in his kids doing nothing all day.  There is always something to do.  So to think eternity is going to be frivolous clearly demonstrates a lack of understanding regarding God’s character.

First of all, understand heaven is where The “Heavenly 3” (aka Godhead) and the spirit sons all live.  The Spirit Sons are Angels.  There are two categories of Angels:  the Spirit Sons (who did not rebel) and the Rebellious sons.  The rebellious sons are your demons and they are the ones hell was created for.  I am not breaking down the types of angels just making it clear for you what angels live where.

A sheet exists between the physical realm and the spiritual realm; keeping us from being able to see all who live there.  If that sheet were gone, you’d look up and see the Father without any problems.  So when you ask about Heaven here is what you’ll want to know.  Really know.

What makes heaven great is not the craziness you hear about on Facebook, IG or in songs.  It’s not ice cream parlors and fountain drinks or some place you do whatever you want without ramifications.  Heaven is great because of the deep and abiding intimacy we experience with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Nothing you have ever known, will compare.

Some of you have been blessed to know true intimacy and the depths two people can reach; when someone can read your thoughts and know what you’re thinking without you ever saying a word.  Ironically, movies portray it and it is the one thing everyone longs for.  That longing exists because it is possible to have.  But it can only be had with the Father in Heaven!  When we develop a relationship with him first our other relationships move in that direction.  A relationship with the Father is eternal and permanent.

No one on earth can tell an individual their job in heaven.  There are only three people who can give you that information and they are not disclosing that until you get there.

The big thing to understand is most of us will not live in Heaven.  God is creating a new heaven and a new earth; with 12 ft. pearl doors (there is more to the story but I’m very excited about the 12 ft pearls).  By the way, anyone who tells you that’s a metaphor obviously doesn’t know the Father.  Do you honestly believe He who created the oyster that makes the pearl can’t make a pearl without an oyster?  Please quit making God so small.  Creation testifies to the existence of God.  What more evidence do we need than a pearl resulting from an allergic reaction.  Nothing is impossible with God.

Back to the subject at hand, Heaven will always be the place God calls home but once the new earth comes those of us who make it to the millennial reign will still be living here on earth.  It will be a new earth.  (Again there is more to this but we are going to keep it simple)  The difference is that God will be living with us on the earth.  We will be interacting with him on a daily basis.

O.k., let’s look at this another way.  We are going to use two examples, on a cow farm, the farmer has to get up early in the morning to ensure the cows are milked two times per day.  That farmer’s children all know their responsibilities.  They get up eat breakfast, help dad with the milking process and then head off to school.  When school is over, they go home grab a snack and go back to milking the cows.  When they’re done it’s time to eat dinner, do homework and then off to bed.

City life, on the other hand, is a little bit different.  City folks know very little about farming.  In the lives of city people, mom and dad get up, get themselves ready for work while the kids get ready for school; they all grab a quick snack and lunch as they head off to school.  Both mom and dad work all day and then the nanny or sitter shows up to pick up the kids and take them off to sports teams, dance recitals and all the other activities they have going on.

This is more like Heaven’s daily schedule.  You have things to do.  Paper money will no longer be a medium of exchange and people will give of what they have quite freely, understanding there is more than enough for everyone.  A change of atmosphere will happen with a thought and all the animals will want to get to know you.

The main difference between Heaven and here is that you will feel no pain.  There will be no sorrow, no physical, emotional or mental pain, no hardship, nothing negative.  You will grow from experiences that don’t have to hurt you.  Well I am off and running for today.  Let me know if you have additional questions.  Later Gator!