Heaven, The Eternal Home

Is heaven real?If so, how does one know?

Is heaven real?If so, how does one know?

One might approach this subject from threeperspectives.

1) Reason – materialist, universalist, believer

2) History – Job, Egyptians, Indians, etc.3) Biblical testimony

Biblical Testimony: O.T. testimony

- Abraham has concept of heaven. Heb. 11:10- Patriarchs “all died in faith” and confessed

that they were “strangers and pilgrims.” (Heb. 11:13, 16)

- Moses “looked to the reward” (Heb. 11:26).- Solomon advised living the reverent life in

view of the day of judgment. (Eccl. 12:14)

Biblical Testimony: N.T. testimony

- N.T. gives us the fuller revelation about the existence and nature of heaven.

- Jesus spoke frequently of heaven.Matt. 5:10-12 – “great reward in

heaven”Matt. 6:19-21 – “treasures in

heaven”John 14:2-3 – “I go to prepare a

place…”- “Hope” is a key word in the N.T. doctrine.

Heb. 11:1 – faith is substance of hope.

Rom. 8:18, 24-25 – “saved in hope”- Peter described heaven - 1 Pet. 1:3-5

I. THE NATURE OF HEAVEN(Some mistaken ideas/concepts)A. Islamic concept – “sensual paradise”B. Mormon concept – three different states

1. Celestial – with F, S, H.S.2. Terrestial – with S, H.S.3. Telestial – with H.S.

C. Jehovah’s Witnesses - essentially“heaven-on-earth.”1. 144,000 go to heaven.2. Rest of saved live on glorified earth.

II. BIBLICAL SYMBOLISM OF HEAVEN

A. Figures of speech:

Heb. 11:10, 16 – “city”, “ heavenly country”

Jn. 14:2 – “house” or “place” 2 Tim. 4:18 – “ heavenly kingdom” Rev. 21:2 – “holy city, New Jerusalem” Rev. 2:7 – “garden-like paradise” 2 Cor. 5:8 – “our eternal home with the

Lord”

B. The New Jerusalem. Rev. 21:1-22:5

1. Inhabitants of heaven – 21:1-8. 2. Its symbolic structure, in grandeur

and scope – 21:9-21. 3. Its glory, safety and sanctification –

21:22-27. 4. The river of life – 22:1-5.

III. SOME FACTS ABOUT HEAVENA. It will be a place of blissful rest. Rev. 14:13

B. It will be the reward of reaping. Gal. 6:7-9

C. It will be a realm of righteousness. Heb. 12:23; Rev. 21

D. It will be a place of responsibility. Matt. 25

E. It will be a place of reunion and recognition.1. Abraham – Gen. 25:82. Jacob – Gen. 37:353. Jesus spoke… Matt. 8:11

• Life is given to us to prepare for heaven.• Christ has made possible our salvation from our sins.• God had prepared “the heavenly land” for

the saved.• Christ will come again to take the saved to the eternal city.

• There are just two destinies. • We choose in life which will be our eternal destiny.

• Who will go to heaven? Matt. 7:21

• Have you been saved?• Are you preparing for this final destination?

• Have you obeyed the truth to be saved?

1. Hear the Good news – Acts 2:222. Believe in Jesus Christ – Acts 16:313. Repent and turn to God – Acts 3:194. Confess faith in Christ – Acts 8:375. Be baptized for forgiveness – Acts 2:386. Grow and be faithful – 1 Cor. 15:58

-----------------------------------------------7. If you have not be faithful to your

commitment to the Lord, repent and pray God to forgive you. Acts 8:22