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Post by Parker on Apr 13, 2023 15:18:20 GMT -8
What does the Bible teach us about heaven? The Bible is our only authoritative source of information on what lies beyond the grave and fortunately the Bible has a lot to say on the subject. If you begin with the first verse of Genesis and go to the end of Revelation, you'll find more than 600 references to the word heaven and many more passages describe our eternal home using other terms and titles. So, the Bible gives us "Insider Information" about God's glorious habitation and the eternal home of His children.
I think that heaven is the most encouraging subject in the Bible right after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But one thing for sure it's the happiest location in the universe and we should want to know all about it. If we make the effort to do this and become well-grounded in this subject we will be ahead of the pack because, the Biblical teaching about heaven is widely overlooked understudied, and misunderstood. Mostly, it's only talked about during funeral services. But we need to think about heaven now. while we're still alive on earth. The reality of heaven doesn't just help us die more peacefully. it helps us live more joyfully and productively. C.S. Lewis said, "If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most about the next."
The heroes of scripture thought of heaven constantly confessing. they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth, Seeking a Homeland Desiring a better country.... a Heavenly one.. and looking forward to the city with foundations "Whose Builder and maker is God" Hebrews 11:10 -16. I can only imagine how marvelous that city will be.
Jesus, Also longed for heaven, as he approached the end of His earthly life, telling His disciples, "If you loved me, you would Rejoice because I said, "I am going to the father" John 14:28
The Apostle Peter. said something so important... notice the words in bold below, they reveal the attitude we should have about heaven:
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:11-14
What God has for us in the future:, the return of Christ, the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. And our eternal home in heaven Looking forward to that, will empower us to live holy, godly, purposeful lives.
But what we're really looking forward to is dwelling in the house of the Lord forever and ever and the really big bonus is we will see Him face to face. That's what's really up with heaven!
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Post by Aeliana on Apr 13, 2023 15:41:01 GMT -8
It is the quest that moves irrepressibly through the world’s great myths and religions, the masterpieces of its greatest artists and writers, and the dreams that rise from the primordial depths of our unconscious. It's our heart’s deepest longing.
MercyMe - I Can Only Imagine
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Post by Theophilus on Apr 13, 2023 17:02:51 GMT -8
As Christians, we’re linked to Heaven in ways too deep to comprehend. Somehow, according to Ephesians 2:6, we’re already seated with Christ in Heaven. So, we can’t be satisfied with less. Life on Earth matters, but not because it’s the only life we have, but precisely because it isn’t—it’s the beginning of a life that will continue without end. It’s the precursor of life on the New Earth. Eternal life doesn’t begin when we die—it has already begun. Besides this you know what hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah). Romans 13:11
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Ozias
Full Member
Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you
Posts: 100
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Post by Ozias on Apr 15, 2023 13:22:23 GMT -8
As Christians, we’re linked to Heaven in ways too deep to comprehend. Somehow, according to Ephesians 2:6, we’re already seated with Christ in Heaven. So, we can’t be satisfied with less. Life on Earth matters, but not because it’s the only life we have, but precisely because it isn’t—it’s the beginning of a life that will continue without end. It’s the precursor of life on the New Earth. Eternal life doesn’t begin when we die—it has already begun. Besides this you know what hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah). Romans 13:11
And this is what He Himself has promised us—the life, the eternal [life]. 1 John 2:25And I heard a loud voice from Heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." REVELATION 21:3–4
Sounds like Heaven to me. Heaven is the ultimate reality we all must face. This world is not our home. We are just passing through. So studying Heaven sounds good to me. It's where we belong. Forever! Two of my favorite Bible passages are Psalm 139:16, which clearly says that my death date is determined long before my birth date, and the other is Isaiah 57:1-2, which explains that the godly die young because God sees the trouble that lies ahead of them. When our youngest son at age 19 went home to be with the Lord, I found extraordinary comfort in those two assurances.  ![]() |
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Post by Obadiah on Apr 15, 2023 14:35:50 GMT -8
Ozias I'm sorry to hear about your loss. You will be with Him again. LOOK FOR ME When you finally make your entrance to that city Of jasper walls and bright golden avenues As you behold all its beauty and its splendor Remember there is just one request I make of you. Look for me, for I will be there, too I realize when you arrive there'll be so much to do After you've been there ten thousand years, a million, maybe two Look for me, for I will be there, too. RUSTY GOODMAN, 1982
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Ozias
Full Member
Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you
Posts: 100
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Post by Ozias on May 29, 2023 9:39:56 GMT -8
When I look around at the world today and the direction it's headed heaven seems like our only hope. And in reality it is. We have the glorious inheritance that awaits us as children of the most High God. Revelation 21 is filled with good news for God’s people! We have so much to look forward to in the new heaven and the new earth.
John tells us in this same chapter that the new earth in his vision has no sea. It’s hard to imagine a planet with no oceans. It seems strange that the new heaven and new earth will be without seas—especially to those of us who love the water or the beach! But John is writing symbolically here. We know that oceans separate people, so perhaps what he means is that we’ll share one unified land, one continent. John had known the loneliness of isolation on the island of Patmos, separated by the Aegean Sea from all his loved ones and his church ministry on the mainland.
The sea also held all kinds of significance to ancient readers. To them, the sea was a raging, threatening, and fearful place—deep, dark, and unknown. Unpredictable. It represented chaos, disorder, and evil. In Revelation, the sea is the home of the dead and is associated with the Abyss—the place from which the beast comes.
So, when John says there will be no more sea in the new heaven and earth, he is saying that there will be nothing to harm God’s people or give them cause to fear.
Imagine that: no fear.
No fear of anything . . . ever again.
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e v e
Full Member
Posts: 214
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Post by e v e on May 30, 2023 20:14:37 GMT -8
heaven is our eden paradise lost to us
because of adam
and where His sweet souls are returning
very very soon
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Post by thewordweaver on Jul 8, 2023 20:42:07 GMT -8
I want to first touch on something in your op Parker you said the bible is the only source we have. This is something I have been wanting to explain to people but not in the way it is traditionally. The bible is the written word of God but you see he doesn't just want scholars he doesn't need more sholars. We have the original source the living word of God Jesus Christ himself anything you learn in the written word the living word will show you a lot better. It is as if he is like so your well educated you are well versed in the scriptures you have studied and matured now do you want to go for the real deal? To quote one of my favorite anime's seek the truth hidden within the truth. |
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Post by thewordweaver on Jul 8, 2023 20:46:49 GMT -8
As for what heaven is and what is there I can show you. I am at times called by him to write a poem or what I call poems I suppose, I never know what I am going to write until I start and the words just flow. It is not simply writing what he says it is as if I am there in the spirit but here physically I can describe every detail the texture of the dirt the feel of the grass on your skin the sense of the atmosphere the things there that you intinctively know not to eat or drink because believer me one taste and anything else here is bland.
I have to go through all my poems but the things I will show you guys you can take as you wish just make sure to ask the holy spirit first before any decision.
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Post by civic on Jul 10, 2023 6:12:40 GMT -8
heaven is our eden paradise lost to us because of adam and where His sweet souls are returning very very soon Amen sister I cannot wait, this world in not my home I'm a just passing through.  |
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Post by civic on Jul 10, 2023 6:13:27 GMT -8
As for what heaven is and what is there I can show you. I am at times called by him to write a poem or what I call poems I suppose, I never know what I am going to write until I start and the words just flow. It is not simply writing what he says it is as if I am there in the spirit but here physically I can describe every detail the texture of the dirt the feel of the grass on your skin the sense of the atmosphere the things there that you intinctively know not to eat or drink because believer me one taste and anything else here is bland. I have to go through all my poems but the things I will show you guys you can take as you wish just make sure to ask the holy spirit first before any decision. Please share your poems with us, thanks ! |
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Post by thewordweaver on Jul 10, 2023 13:37:23 GMT -8
This was a more recent one and it is only a piece of what is there. in particular I feel the changing of the time of day is important.
Written in stone is the words I am for in him is I am and in I am is him, the king who sits on the throne looks below at his creations and watches in their daily lives. He guides and preserves those who would call him abba and calls for those who are lost searching for him without knowing.
I sit in my room considering the things of the spirit when something moves in the corner of my eye and I am lead to look, in a blink in the flash of light I am gone and somehwere else standing before a massive golden and bronze tree with many many lamps perched on each branch. each lamp unique in it's own way and each lamp has a different color flame the rainbow of flames with the golden and bronze tree are stunning, I notice some lamps are out some are small and some burn bright while others seem to just be starting to burn with a spark.
I stare at this tree and see it's roots as massive as a tree itself lead somewhere and decide to follow, I follow it through green fields filled with stags and deer made of light it is evening time here and they illuminate everything as I make my way through the field following the roots unable to stop my curiosity of it's source I continue onwards through streams of crystal clear water and tempted to play in it as I am I stay focused and continue on it is morning time here and there are many crreatures coming to drink from this water and as they drink from it they begin to glow as if life fills them to the brim from the smallest sips. Onwards I continue on and I reach a place made of pearl a massive and beautiful castle so big I cannot see the top or where it begins or ends the gates are wide open and I walk right in it is sunset here and the clouds are beautiful and golden creating a radiant golden light that stretches across the sky. I follow the roots pass angels carrying wedding garments and banquet settings, everyone is very excited here and there is a sense of joy all around so much so that it posesses you and you want to gump for joy right where you stand like a small child.
But I stay focused and keep going following the roots throughout the castle, they seem to be becoming thinner and smaller now very quickly and I think to myself I must be nearing the source and I come across the most beautiful door I have ever seen with golden and silver letters glowing in hebrew and somehow I can read it as easy as english the door says bridegroom. The door has an azure light shining from behind it and I sense a powerful wonderful presense from behind the door. I know this presence and without thinking about manners or if I am allowed to come inside or not without knocking or letting myself be known I quickly open the door to run into the arms of my Jesus.
I open the door and my eyes are blinded I cannot see and have to cover my eyes i cannot move but no sooner do i cover my eyes am I embraced by a pair of strong arms and I begin to weep both in relief and joy for I have longed to be in his arms for so long so badly. I am able to see again and I look to him and see I am tiny compared to him and I see the roots i followed are all attached to him he is dressed and ready for his big day and looks overjoyed to see me I only bury my face in his chest and hug him so tightly I fear he may lose his breath and he only laughs.
He then picks up a golden chasllice encrusted with fine golden letters with my name on it and tells me to sip from it and I do so, it is wine and the sweetest most satisfying wine i have ever had and i crave more but he only lets me have a sip for he says to me the rest is for my wedding day.
Then he takes me to a mirror and in the mirror I see the world in full view and I then see me in my room and I know I have to go back the mirror is a door. I look at him and feel as if I have been cut with a knife deeply inside for I know going back means I cannot be with him and he picks me up kisses me on the cheek holds me close so that I can hear his heart beat and says to me in a small whisper very soon and sends me through the mirror
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