Questions About Heaven

Questions about Heaven

Heaven: The Future Looks Great, part 6 (final)

Are you living a life God will reward? What changes do you need to make to do well on that day? While we plan for vacations, careers, children and even a trip to the store, many never take time to make plans for eternity.

The goal of a sermon like this is not to answer deeply every question. It is to stir the blessed hope that rests in you of the future life we will share with Christ.

I. Seven Quick Questions:

1. Will we fly? (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

2. Will we know everything in heaven? Total knowledge is an attribute of God. He alone is all-knowing (Omniscient.) Part of the thrill of being human is the joy of discovery. We were created explore, learn, discovery.

3. Will there be time? (Revelation 22:2, Revelation 8:1)

4. Will I remember my past? (Revelation 6:10)

5. Will I still be me? (Revelation 21:7) A name expresses personality and personhood. Free from sin, you will actually be more yourself than you’ve ever been.

6. Will we know one another?

• 1 Corinthians 13:12
• At the transfiguration, Peter knew who Jesus was standing with even though no introductions had been made. I think the heavenly body is immediately recognizable.
• In John 21:12, Jesus’ resurrected body, though different, was clearly known by the disciples as Jesus himself

7. Will be work in heaven? Yes. There won’t be pain.

II. In Heaven, Do we lose our

• God loves diversity. God created race. He hates racism.
• Revelation 7:9, the great multitude includes people from every “nation” “tribe” “people” and “language.” Randy Alcorn suggests this means that God has preserved a remnant of saved people from every nation.
• In Revelation 22:2, the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the “nations.”

III. What about

What about infants and small children who died?

• God calls for our faith to be more like children’s faith. They are not required to have an adult faith. (Matthew 18:2-6)
• God welcomes the praise of Children. (Psalm 8:2)
• King David’s child was taken to haven. (2 Samuel 12:22-23)
• I think children who die grow up in God’s presence. (Isaiah 11:1-8)

V. Will there be in heaven?

• Isaiah 65 describes the: Wolf, lamb, leopard, cows, lion, cobra, viper.
• Horses are often described as heavenly animals.

VI. What kinds of are there in heaven?

• Hebrews 6:10
• Does everyone get the same reward? No. That’s the purpose of judgment for the believer, to determine rewards.
• Each of the beatitudes Jesus gave included a reward. (Matthew 5:3-11)
• There are five crowns in heaven. (1. The victors crown, 1 Corinthians 9:25-37) (2. The crown of Rejoicing, 1 Thessalonians 2:19) (3. The Crown of Righteousness, 2 Timothy 4:8) (4. The crown of life, James 1:12, Revelation 2:10) (5. The crown of glory, 1 Peter 5:4)
• Encouraging Scriptures regarding rewards: Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:12,

Life a life you know God

The gift of heaven is the free gift of God, but it is not automatic. You have to repent of sin and turn to God. Your name must be written in the Lambs Book of Life.

Ruthana Metzgar writes:

As a professional singer, it was not unusual to be asked to sing for a wedding, but it was a bit unusual to sing for the wedding of a millionaire. I knew the wedding would be picture-perfect and was pleased to be able to participate, but when the invitation to the reception arrived I knew it would be something exceptional.

The reception was held on the top two floors of Seattle’s Columbia Tower, the Northwest’s tallest skyscraper, and it was even more wonderful than I imagined. There were waiters wearing snappy black tuxedos who offered luscious hor d’oeuvres and exotic beverages for the most discriminating tastes. The atmosphere was one of grace and sophistication.

After about an hour of merriment the bride and groom approached a beautiful glass and brass staircase that led to the top floor. A satin ribbon, which was draped across the bottom of the stairs, was cut and the announcement made that the wedding feast was about to begin. The bride and groom ascended the stairs and the guests followed.

A gentleman with a lovely bound book greeted us as we reached the top of the stairs. “May I have your name please?” “I am Ruthanna Metzgar and this is my husband” I replied. The gentleman searched. “I’m not finding it. Would you spell it please?” I spelled it slowly and clearly. After searching throughout the book the gentleman looked up and said, “I’m sorry, but your name is not here. Without your name in this book you cannot attend this banquet.” “Oh, there must be some mistake,” I replied. “I am the singer. I sang for this wedding!” The gentleman calmly answered, “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you did, without your name in the book you cannot attend this banquet.”

The gentleman with the book motioned to a waiter and said, “Show these people to the service elevator please.” We followed the waiter past beautifully decorated tables laden with shrimp, whole smoked salmon, even gracefully carved ice sculptures. And adjacent to the banquet area was an orchestra, its members all dressed in dazzling white tuxedos, preparing to fill the room with glorious music.

As Roy drove out of the Columbia Tower garage, we both remained silent. After driving several miles in silence, Roy reached over and gently put his hand on my arm. “Sweetheart, what happened?”

And then I remembered: “When the invitation arrived for the reception I was very busy and I never bothered to return the RSVP. Besides, I was the singer, surely I could go to the reception without returning the RSVP!”

As we drove on I began to weep. I was not weeping because I had just missed the most lavish banquet of my life, but I was weeping because suddenly I knew what it will be like someday for people as they stand before the entrance of heaven: People who were too busy to respond to Christ’s invitation to His heavenly banquet. People who assumed that the good things they had done, even perfect church attendance or singing in the choir, would be enough to gain entry to heaven. People who will look for their name in the Lamb’s Book of Life and not find it there. People who did not have time to respond to Christ’s gracious invitation to have their sins forgiven and accept Him into their hearts.

And then I wept again because I was so grateful that I had, many years earlier, received Christ as my personal Savior and can be confident that my name is written in the most important book of all: The Lamb’s Book of Life. Is Yours?