
Our Eternal Destiny - Part 2 “Heaven is a real PLACE”
Heaven is a real PLACE
“At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:16-17
“I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” - John 6:38
“For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.” - Hebrews 9:24
“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” - Acts 1:10-11
When we “die”, we have a “home” with Jesus in Heaven
“I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” - John 14:2-3
“Today you will be with Me in Paradise” - Luke 23:43
Someday Jesus will return to establish the NEW HEAVENS and the NEW EARTH and give us resurrected bodies. But until then what will we be like?
“Then the dust will return to the earth and the spirit will return to God who gave it” - Ecclesiastes 12:7
“I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” - Acts 7:56 & 59
“We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord… We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” - 2 Corinthians 5:6 & 8
Spirit, yet having some form?
“‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” - Luke 16:24
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.” - 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
Scripture focuses on our “Eternal” home and not much on the “Transitional”
Questions to Ponder
What do you love and enjoy about your life? Paul states that “to die is GAIN”. What could be even better in heaven so that you would consider what awaits you to be a “gain” compared to what you would “lose” here?
What would it mean for you to be so HEAVENLY MINDED that you were EARTHLY GOOD”?
Activity
Find a comfortable place to quiet your soul and your thoughts. Invite God’s Presence. Reflect on His Goodness. Scripture states that God has “placed eternity in our hearts”. Take a moment and ponder that truth. Ask God to help you “connect” with that desire he has placed in you. Imagine what it will be like. What will you look forward to? What may surprise you? Record your thoughts in a journal
Scripture Memory Verse
“I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” - John 14:2-3