If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
Heaven: a place of fulfilment and satisfaction beyond comprehension on earth. Only in heaven will we experience the depth of love, abundance of joy and satisfaction of the soul that we hanker after. The Lord promises to wipe every tear from our eyes. The pain of our time on earth will be dealt with completely as we embrace the fullness of God.
Bible Zone
- Heaven, God’s Home - In heaven we will be with God forever.
- Focus on Heaven - Those who have been made righteous will be in heaven.
- End of Age - The end of this age will come.with Jesus’ return to earth.
The first passage is from Revelation. Some of the concepts are full of symbolism. Here is a key to some symbols -
- The Sea - often used to symbolise the nations and their political power plays.
- Jerusalem - symbolises those who call themselves God’s people.
- The bride - God’s people in heaven will be the bride of Christ.
- The Lamb - Jesus, because of his sacrifice for our sins.
- Sleep - Jesus used this to describe death.
- How is heaven described. What happens? what is it like?
- How will God treat us and relate to us?
Revelation 21:1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.*4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."
How the prospect of heaven affected my motivation and the way of my life.
Reading further in Revelation we find another passage that shows the spiritual atmosphere in heaven.
- The book of life contains the names of all who have loved God (Evaluation time)
- What is the focus of attention in heaven?
- What spiritual atmosphere do you see in this passage?
- If this is where you will spend eternity, what are you investing in now?
Revelation 21:22-27 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory.25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there.26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city.27 Nothing evil* will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Paul explains in 1 Corinthians that the world as we know it will end. Jesus will return and gather all people to Himself. No one knows when this will happen. When He comes He will usher in a new age.
- What transformations will occur at the end?
- The trumpet sounds at Christ’s return to earth for His second coming. What is the outcome for those who are God’s people?
- Are you living for what will be imperishable and immortal?
1 Corinthians 15:50-54 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,* this Scripture will be fulfilled:
"Death is swallowed up in victory.*55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?*"
HEAVEN
