Our questions today regard heaven in the “then and there” sense. Without doubt, heaven will be an amazing place, something unparalleled in all of current creation.
But, stepping back from all of that we realize it is even more amazing. We first need to remember that God created both heaven and earth, both the old heaven and earth and the new heaven and earth of Revelation 21. Secondly, we need to remember that God is eternal. By being eternal God has no beginning and no end, stretching forever in both directions. That means God existed before creation, before there was an earth and before their was a heaven. Not only did God exist, but by the definition of eternity, He existed for an eternity before creation.
Where I am going with this mind-blowing thought is that heaven does not exist for God. God lived for an eternity before their was a heaven. He does not need a place as we do. He does not need a physical home.
So, then, where is there a heaven? Why is there a physical home? The answer is for us. All of creation, both old and new, is a gift God created for us. The beauty and splendor we see in the views of heaven throughout scripture are not simply views of something that was designed for God, but something that God designed to live with us.
This is true of all creation on heaven and earth. We tend to think of amazingly wonderful places as places that exist and that we see and are awestruck. But, the fact is that the reason they exist is not an accident, it is not because God needed a mountain here or a valley there or a sea or beach or planet system or galaxy or anything else. They exist for you and me to be able to see, to be able to experience, to be able to be amazed at the wonder of God’s creation – because God chose to bless us with them.
My Answers:
3.
I see fully being in the presence of God. There is beauty all around, but the beauty pales in comparison to the majesty of the most sovereign. I feel peace and joy, a joy that surpasses anything on earth. There is no worry or pain, no sorrow or fear, no greed or lust. Things simply fit. There is perfect harmony. On earth heaven is often portrayed as a bunch of people milling around aimlessly and mindlessly in white robes doing work for a slave master. Of course this isn’t accurate, it is not heaven.
4.
J14: It is a physical place, many rooms, with a place specifically prepared for me. I’m a guest, a loved one, someone wanted and appreciated. I am going with Jesus at the invitation of Jesus God Savior King
1Cor: there is a fullness in heaven, in body in spirit, that is unknown on the earth. Today we see only shadows, only reflections, only hints, but the real thing will be right in front of us and with us
Rev21:It is a Holy place, a big place, a new heaven and a new earth and on it a city, dressed as a bride for her husband, perfect and beautiful, no more tears, death, mourning, crying or pain because sin and all its tendrils are gone, all is made new.
The Notes are Good 