Redemption

Will We Live In Heaven Forever?

Published June 21, 2024 | By amabaysidegiggers

Will We Live In Heaven Forever?

The Divine Tapestry: Unraveling Heaven’s Seven Ages

Throughout the ages, humanity has gazed skyward, pondering the mysteries of heaven. But what if our eternal home is far more dynamic and intricate than we’ve imagined? Let us embark on a journey through time and eternity, exploring the seven distinct ages of heaven as revealed in Scripture.

The Primordial Realm: Before Time Began

In the unfathomable expanse before creation, there existed a realm of pure divinity. This first age of heaven was the exclusive domain of the Triune God, existing in perfect unity and love.

**”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, KJV)**

This verse offers a glimpse into the pre-creation state, where the Son dwelt in eternal fellowship with the Father. It was from this divine communion that the grand tapestry of creation would unfold.

The Garden of Harmony: Heaven Touches Earth

With the dawn of creation, heaven took on a new dimension. The Garden of Eden represents a unique period when the veil between heaven and earth was gossamer-thin.

**”And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” (Genesis 3:8, KJV)**

Imagine a world where the Creator strolled alongside His creation, where the divine and the mortal coexisted in perfect harmony. This was Eden – a slice of heaven on earth, untainted by sin or death.

The Great Divide: Heaven’s Veil Descends

The Fall of mankind ushered in an age of separation. Sin erected a barrier between God and His beloved creation, fundamentally altering the nature of heaven and earth’s relationship.

**”For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, KJV)**

I have heard it said this way, “Be Born Twice, Die Once. Be Born Once and Die Twice”

During this age, the concept of an afterlife began to take shape. The righteous dead found rest in “Abraham’s bosom,” a temporary haven distinct from the abode of the wicked. This period was marked by longing – creation groaning for redemption, and the faithful yearning for the promised Messiah.

The Bridge of Hope: Heaven’s Door Reopens

The incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ mark a pivotal shift in heaven’s story. Christ’s sacrifice tore down the veil, opening a new way for believers to enter God’s presence.

**”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6, KJV)**

This age introduces what theologians often call the “intermediate heaven” – a temporary dwelling place for believers who die in Christ. While glorious, it is not the final chapter in God’s grand design.

The Great Gathering: Heaven’s Population Explodes

As earth experiences the tumult of the Great Tribulation, heaven enters a phase of unprecedented activity. This age is characterized by the glorification of believers through the rapture and resurrection.

**”Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, KJV)**

Heaven swells with glorified saints, eagerly anticipating Christ’s triumphant return to earth. The boundaries between heaven and earth begin to blur as God’s plan reaches its climax.

The Millennial Reign: Heaven’s Preview on Earth

The return of Christ inaugurates an extraordinary period where heaven and earth overlap in unprecedented ways. Jesus establishes His throne on earth, ruling with the glorified saints.

**”And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4, KJV)**

This thousand-year reign serves as a foretaste of the eternal state to come. It demonstrates the perfect rule of Christ and the restoration of creation to its intended glory.

The New Creation: Heaven and Earth United

The culmination of God’s plan unfolds in the creation of a new heaven and a new earth, free from the taint of sin and the curse.

**”And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1, KJV)**

This eternal state represents the ultimate fusion of heaven and earth. The barrier between the divine and the created realms dissolves, ushering in an age of unbroken fellowship and boundless exploration.

**”And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3, KJV)**

Consider This: Our Eternal Adventure Begins

As we ponder these seven ages of heaven, we’re confronted with a breathtaking reality: our eternal destiny is far more dynamic and exciting than we’ve often imagined. We’re not bound for an ethereal, disembodied existence, but for a vibrant, physical reality where we’ll explore, create, and worship in the very presence of our Creator.

This journey through heaven’s epochs reveals a God who is intimately involved with His creation, working out a plan that spans eternity. It challenges us to broaden our perspective and deepen our appreciation for the magnificent future that awaits those who trust in Christ.

As we await this glorious future, may we echo the words of the Apostle Paul:

**”For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12, KJV)**

Our eternal adventure in the new heaven and new earth will be the culmination of God’s redemptive plan – a never-ending story of discovery, growth, and intimate fellowship with our Creator and Redeemer. This is the heaven that awaits us – not a static, unchanging realm, but a dynamic, ever-unfolding tapestry of divine love and creativity.

Citations:
[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/6400559/64ef6ef2-6d37-4c52-9a16-2bc48057ad7a/paste.txt
[2] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/6400559/3be003df-b4c0-448b-bff9-a81ffad61d0e/paste-2.txt
[3] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/6400559/617450fd-7831-4e8f-be2f-71009f2682e0/paste-3.txt

What does the Bible say about Heaven? * Insights from Scripture

Published May 28, 2024 | By amabaysidegiggers

What does the Bible say about Heaven? * Insights from Scripture

Heaven, as depicted in the Bible, is a realm of divine glory, eternal bliss, and the presence of God. Throughout the pages of Scripture, various passages offer insights into the nature of Heaven, its inhabitants, and the conditions for entry. In this exploration, we delve into the biblical teachings about Heaven, drawing from both the Old and New Testaments.

### Heaven as God’s Dwelling Place

The Bible portrays Heaven as the abode of God Almighty, the Creator of the universe. In Psalm 115:16, it is written, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” Similarly, Isaiah 66:1 declares, “Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?”

Revelation 4 provides a vivid depiction of the heavenly throne room, where God is surrounded by myriads of angels and redeemed saints, worshiping Him ceaselessly: “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne… And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.” (Revelation 4:2-4, KJV)

### Eternal Life and Joy

Central to the biblical concept of Heaven is the promise of eternal life and joy for those who are faithful to God. In John 14:2-3, Jesus assures His disciples, saying, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” This promise of eternal fellowship with God brings comfort and hope to believers.

Moreover, Revelation 21:4 describes Heaven as a place where God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away: “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.”

### Reward for the Righteous

The Bible teaches that Heaven is the ultimate reward for the righteous and faithful followers of God. In Matthew 5:12, Jesus declares, “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Similarly, Revelation 21:7 promises, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” This vision of a glorious future encourages believers to persevere in their faith despite trials and tribulations.

### Entry Requirements

While the Bible offers the promise of Heaven to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, it also emphasizes the importance of righteous living and obedience to God’s commandments. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus warns, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

This underscores the significance of genuine faith accompanied by a life of holiness and moral integrity. As the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

### Resurrection and Transformation

The biblical depiction of Heaven includes the concept of resurrection and transformation for believers. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, the apostle Paul writes, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

This transformation entails the glorification of believers’ bodies, enabling them to dwell in God’s presence for eternity. As Paul further explains in Philippians 3:20-21, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

### Unity with Christ

At the heart of the biblical understanding of Heaven is the concept of unity with Christ. In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul writes, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

This intimate union with Christ forms the essence of believers’ eternal fellowship with God in Heaven. As Jesus Himself declared in John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

### Conclusion

The Bible offers a rich tapestry of insights into the nature of Heaven, portraying it as a realm of divine glory, eternal joy, and the presence of God. Through passages spanning both the Old and New Testaments, believers gain glimpses of the heavenly reality awaiting those who place their trust in Jesus Christ and live according to His teachings.

As the ultimate destination for the faithful, Heaven serves as a source of hope, comfort, and inspiration for believers as they journey through life, anticipating the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life and communion with Him in the celestial realms. May these biblical insights encourage us to seek the things above and live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received, with our eyes fixed on the eternal inheritance that awaits us in Heaven.