Heaven the Final Frontier! - Have you explore the Bible about heaven?

Davep · Veteran Joined: 02 Apr 2002 Posts: 463

Have you explored and researched the Bible about Heaven?
What the Bible says about future of heaven and earth?

Read these scripture references as a start:

Isaiah 65:17
Revelations 21:1
2 Peter 3:7-13
Romans 8:18-22
Genesis 1 & 2

What do you feel heaven/earth with be like? ???

kelly · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2002 8:01 am Post subject:

I have thought about this myself, and even posed the question to a few others. It seems everybody has a different perspective. Being that the bible is so vague in description, I believe Heaven is really something we can only wonder about, not make any positive responses.

My perception is that all that we know now will be no more. I think it all will go up in flames and that's the fire all that are going to hell will burn in. God will create a new Heaven, or maybe He already has one waiting for our eternity, and we go there. I know the bible says the things of old will pass away, but I like to think we will recognize our loved ones. I have heard many stories from Godly men who had experienced a death experience and came back to say they saw Heaven and they recognized those who had already passed on. I like to think My husband and children will one day all be together in Heaven. We may have different mansions and agendas (as the activities we hold dear here will no longer matter; sex, etc.), but I believe we will still be placed near each other in Heaven (neighboring mansions!) and will rejoice together for eternity. :inlove:

There's my perception Smile

.

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 1950 Location: Chicago

I have always enjoyed reading Revelation - I feel this give us the strongest description of what Heaven will be like. I don't know if you have heard a song on Christian radio, it is called "I Can Only Imagine" - not sure who the artist is.

I was with my mom three years ago when she lost her life to COPD. As she took her last breath all the bruises on her body, wrinkles on her face and age spots completely disappeared. It was amazing! So, "I Can Only Imagine" the new life and body our Lord will give us!

kelly · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2002 8:44 am Post subject:

Sam, that is awesome! Thanks for sharing. Was your mom a Christian? I am assuming so...That must have been awesome to see, so uplifting and ecouraging! :inlove:

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 1950 Location: Chicago

My mom prayed to receive Christ the day before she died. She could no longer speak because of her lack of lung/air capacity, but could still shake her head yes! It was amazing.
Not many people have the opportunity to see the purpose in someone dying so young - she was only 61, but God showed that to me only 2 days after her passing. I was preparing my mom's eulogy and my brother came down to talk to me. He said he was scared he would not be in Heaven with mom someday. (He had been in the room when we prayed with her.) I asked him if he would like to have assurance he would be with mom, he said he would and by brother prayed to receive Christ into his life.
I still miss my mom dearly, but knowing, without any doubt or worry or just hope, that she is in heaven breathing freely without any assistance is the day I long to see her spirit again.

Davep · Veteran Joined: 02 Apr 2002 Posts: 463

Here is what I'm learning and thinking.

1. Revelations and Isaiah both refer to a new heaven and earth.
God has a way of carrying out his original plan. He created earth for a purpose, which hasn't worked out yet. He tried once, and Adam and Eve messed up, he tried a second time when he gave the world a bath in the Genesis Flood with Noah. And lastly he will finish the job and create the new earth, for those who make the cut. For what purpose would God create a new earth?

My opinion and others is for the same reason he started out with; for us to live on his creation.

2. What treasures await us in heaven and/or earth?
When one looks beyond earthly physical treasure, one can see that which we already can experience in our Christian walk. The more you study, learn, and apply Christ's teachings, your capacity to understand God's word become clearer and clearer each year. Your ability to activate your faith becomes easier and easier, even against the hardest challenges which face you.

Our minds start out so small, the Bible is a tool to stretch the capacity of our mind to store more and more of what God wants us to know, to be able to function and enjoy the world/earth he will repair and create new again.

Think about it, how many times have you read a bible verse and found new meaning? Not just another meaning of equal or same value, but something deeper and richer? Do you think this is an accident?

The earth will be put into it's original state, no sin, no decay, or death. And God's paradise will be restored. God never gives up on his plans. Very Happy

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 1950 Location: Chicago

Thanks Dave, I love your insight. You have such a way with words that really make me think. So true about scripture taking on new meaning each and every time you read it. I think it has a lot to do with your own place of spiritual growth and the direction God wants to take you.

kelly · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2002 10:03 am Post subject:

Sam, you'r story is so awesome! Praise God for the works in Your life!

Question; Dave, Sam and others, do you believe, like I stated in my post, that we will recognize our loved ones in Heaven?

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 1950 Location: Chicago

Physically no - but their spirits yes.

kelly · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2002 10:53 am Post subject:

Sam, you mean we'll be in new bodies (I agree), but we will recognize our loved ones thru thier love, spirits? Like we'll just know it's them? Hugs and kisses at the gate?! (I like to think that ).

Davep · Veteran Joined: 02 Apr 2002 Posts: 463

I Believe the bible is clear on the issue of us having physical bodies; Just look at Thomas and his encounter with the resurrected Jesus, not only did Thomas see his physical existence, he also confirmed it by physical touch. Jesus even sat and ate and dined with them.

But I'm not sure of the issue of how we will recognized or be recognized by other people, and/or what will happen to our memories of those who didn't make it. While we will certainly be happy for ourselves and those who did make, the grief for those who didn't would be overwhemling for us to handle. My thought is we will also have fresh/new memories also.

REV 21:4-5
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

ISA 65:17-18
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 1950 Location: Chicago

In Mark 16:12 it says, "Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form."
In Luke 24:16 it says, "but they were kept from recognizing Him" after the Resurrection.
In John 20:14 it says, "At this, she (Mary Magdalene) turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus."

A number of times the risen Jesus was not recognized. He may have looked different, or He may have intentionally prevented recognition.

You have to wonder why that occurred.

Davep · Veteran Joined: 02 Apr 2002 Posts: 463

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 1950 Location: Chicago

I guess my train of thought on this was -
If Jesus was not recognizable in what we call human form at first, we may not be recognizable to our loved ones either as we are now. Because there will be no more pain in Heaven, will we have the sorrow of knowing the loved ones who do not make it into Heaven?

Just throwing this out for discussion.

Davep · Veteran Joined: 02 Apr 2002 Posts: 463

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