Do We Want To Go To Heaven ( part 2 )

This is the second article on the subject of heaven so if you haven’t read the first article I suggest you start there before reading this one. I will be attempting to uncover what the world and the church believe about heaven, then see what the scriptures confirms. You may end up finding that your idea of heaven needs to adjusted or I may confirm what you always believed. Either way my hope is to help us know what we believe and how we can help others who are mislead or confused about what heaven is and how to get there.

Most people speak about going to heaven when they die. Why is that? Christians, Jews and Muslims believe and teach on heaven and hell and yet few give any specifics. When was the last time you heard a sermon on heaven? Christian Churches used to teach on the fire of hell, but few do today. When research is done on the general population around the world at least two-thirds believe in heaven and hell, even though they have never been formally taught about it. When asked if people believe in angels and demons most admit they do; again without much teaching being done on the subject.

Cultures around thee world have passed down through the centuries the belief in good and evil, and  heaven and hell. People, whether religious of secular, talk about going to heaven when they die as if they know what heaven is. Few, however, seem to have a biblical perspective but rather a “Utopian Idea” of a place where they experience no needs. It is a “Wonderful Place” to spend eternity with no responsibility or concerns. Generally, most people when mentioning heaven it is in reference to avoiding the pain of this place on earth and not going to the other place for eternity: namely hell.

I suppose for many, going to heaven might be compared to going to some tropical island like Hawaii because they have a picture of paradise being palm trees and beautiful sandy beaches. If a person has never been to Hawaii they have no idea that it is one of the most expensive places to visit or live on earth. While the food is great and the weather is amazing, it is one of the most costly places to live. I have friends who have lived there and my wife and I have had vacations there but it is not paradise. I haven’t been to heaven, but my speculation is based on the pieces of scripture that mention, not only the objective of heaven, but the function of people who end up there. Trust me, according to scripture it’s nothing like most people have considered.

So, if we are to have a realistic idea of what heaven is like we need to look at what the Bible says heaven is like, rather than the speculation of so many. I think the Bible gives a pretty good picture of heaven, although that picture is not complete but rather an overview of the purpose and nature of heaven.

The apostle Paul wrote about there being “3 Heavens.” Paul had and experience in which he was caught up to the third heaven. In the same chapter he refers to this third heaven as “Paradise,” which refers to a place of great blessing. When you ask different people to describe what their view of paradise would be you would get many different explanations. One person may say paradise is where every one gets to eat whatever you want and not gain weight. Another person might say paradise is where they get to do all kinds of sports and never get tired or hurt. The point being we need to see how the Bible relates and describes paradise or heaven, and still see if it’s the place where we really want to live in for eternity

Let’s start with Paul’s depiction of what he saw or experienced. Paul seems to feel the need to defend himself because even though Paul planted the church in Corinth the leaders there now are questioning his spirituality and experience as an apostle. He goes into describing various aspects of his authority and background in Chapters 10-11 of 2 Corinthians and then in Chapter 12 talks about heaven, or paradise.

2 Corinthians 12:1-3

This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord. I was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I don’t know; only God knows.

This idea of 3 heavens was common understanding meaning the first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere, the second is referring to the universe and the third refers beyond heaven where God himself dwells. Peter refers to where Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

1 Peter 3:21-22

Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Jesus talked about heaven being a place where we store our “Treasures” or our valuables. If we think about what Jesus says, we can or should plan for our future in heaven now by investing in it before we get there. This is truly astounding because he is saying that some will have wealth or treasure in heaven and some will not. That means that we are not all equal in heaven based on what we did on this earth with the resources we had. If that doesn’t stretch your mind about heaven I don’t know what would. So, heaven is a place where people are safe but not equal. You either invest in heaven now our you pay the penalty by, in a sense, being poor in a safe place.

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Consider what the apostle Paul said about people who did not build on their foundation in Christ while living this life, and actually invested their time and talent on worthless pursuits. They, in the “Day,” which refers to the day of judgment, will suffer the loss of of that investment but they will be saved “By The Skin of Their Teeth” but having nothing of value to have in eternity in heaven. Again, I wonder how people will feel when they wake up in God’s presence and find out they have a very meager retirement plan in heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

So one thing we have learned thus far, is that it would appear that some may be poor in heaven and some may be wealthy. I know this idea of rich and poor in heaven may go against our idealistic view of heaven but it is what scripture provides. Scripture so often hints and comments about many subjects like heaven, but does not give a full explanation of the subject. Maybe God only gives us enough facts on subjects like this so we choose to live for God rather than for some cushy place called heaven.

When Jesus talked about going to haven it was in reference to be with the Father. The apostle John wrote that there would be a new heaven and earth, meaning God is going to reestablish what he first started out with on the planet earth where Adam was meant to “Cultivate” from the raw materials that God has given us. We always were meant to be creative as God is only in a smaller form, and that will be possible on the new earth.

Revelation 21:1-3 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,

There is much more we could go into from scripture but suffice it to declare that heaven is “Only” going to be our temporary home until the new heaven and earth are created in which we will have abiding relationship with God.

Question:

1) If someone were to ask you if you are going to heaven when you die can you define why you would go there? Paul says we should be seeking things above because Christ dwells there. (Col 3:1-3)

2) When and if you make it to heaven will you be poor or will you have invested before you get there? Are we looking for a city whose foundation and architect is God (Heb 11:9-10)?

May the Holy Spirit help us to see heaven as God sees it, and thus long for his presence.

Pastor Dale