Everyone wants to know what heaven will be like, and over the past several years a spate of books have promised to tell them. Don Piper was first with his 90 Minutes in Heaven. Following that bestseller, The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven and Heaven Is for Real were published and enthusiastically received by readers. One book went in the opposite direction—literally—23 Minutes in Hell.
These books that claim to provide firsthand accounts of the afterlife have encouraged many, but I’ll limit my words to what we find in Scripture. Read Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Philippians 1:21-23, and 1 Thessalonians 4:14, and you’ll discover that one thing Scripture says about heaven is that it’s where we’re with the Lord. This is enough, because the presence of the Lord is what makes heaven “heaven.” Why wasn’t Lazarus upset when Jesus raised him from the dead? Why didn’t he complain? I think he may have been glad to come back to life because Jesus was there. Lazarus’ house in Bethany had become a corner of heaven.
We get another glimpse of heaven in Revelation 6:9-11. John writes of the martyred saints shouting to the Lord, “How long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood?” They’re not suffering, for they’ve been delivered from the grasp of sin. But they aren’t entirely satisfied either. As great as it is to be a disembodied soul in heaven, there’s something even better: to be a whole person living on Earth.
And so these saints pray for the return of Jesus and the resurrection of their bodies. Let’s join them in the closing prayer of Scripture, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 18:10-22
More:
Read Revelation 21:1–22:21 to learn what will happen when Jesus returns to Earth.
Next:
What burning question do you have about heaven? Why do you think Scripture doesn’t answer it? What should you do with this question?
ehdlive on July 26, 2013 at 2:59 am
Just recently, an atheist commented on my fanpage and tried everything to prove his point about the non-existence of heaven and hell. I did not challenge the guy through debate (via online) but, coupled with prayer, I quoted some verses hoping that the LORD would somehow open his mind.
ehdlive on July 26, 2013 at 3:13 am
(cont’n).. But he keeps on insisting his point and even mentioned of his scholastic achievement, and further said that he is more knowledgeable than I am.
A feeling of compassion flooded my soul because this guy only represent a great number of hard-headed, unbelieving souls who would be shocked in great terror should the King return with His fair but terrifying judgment.
columbia415 on July 26, 2013 at 9:42 am
ehdlive – I’ve been confronted with people who make every attempt to discredit God’s word and existence. Challenge the atheist with this,
“If you (atheist) are right and I (believer) am wrong, when I die, just bury me and that will be the end of me. However, if I am right and you are wrong, what happens to you when you die?”
A compelling question that cuts like a knife. If the atheist continues to be argumentative, remember Matthew 7:6.
Sarah C on July 26, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Mike, how did you get the impression that you’re more “whole and living” on earth and one reason is that in Heaven, you’re disembodied ( i.o.w ghostlike and dead) ?
Sarah C on July 27, 2013 at 12:53 am
Mike, G-d will judge the living and the dead but Messiah told the SADDUCEES that G-d is G-d of the Living .
Sarah C on July 28, 2013 at 2:44 am
Mike, did you read today’s devotional from Oswald Chambers . Oswald half got it – the process IS the goal , but SO IS THE GOAL . Paul said that he would participate in the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ, that he might “attain to [Christ’s]” resurrection”. What might that resurrection be for you ? Like Oswald Chambers ? GOD IS THE GOD OF THE LIVING .
Sarah C on July 28, 2013 at 2:56 am
B.t.w , O.C got it now , of course, Christ’s resurrection .
mike wittmer on July 29, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Sarah:
You are right to note that the saints are living in heaven, but they are also awaiting their resurrection. There is a tension here that is hard to express exactly right. If we only say how great heaven is we inadvertently diminish the Christian hope, which is the resurrection. On the other hand, if we only speak about the resurrection we diminish the joy that those in heaven are experiencing now. Somehow we need to say both things.