THINGS WE KNOW ABOUT HEAVEN

"For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance" (Heb 10:34)

WHAT ABOUT HEAVEN? Perhaps you have heard someone say, "We know so very little about heaven?" Or, "Do not be so heavenly minded you are no earthly good." A people who lacks familiarity with heaven is a people who lack spiritual incentive at the best, and an ungodly people at the worst.

ACTUALLY, God has revealed a lot about heaven – and all of it is good.

WHAT AND WHO IS IN HEAVEN. God, Christ, angels, the spirits of just men, blood of Christ, our life, our hope, our inheritance, our Intercessor, our future house, our citizenship, our affection, our names are written there. There also is that marvelous description of an entire category of realities: "things in heaven" (Deut 4:39; 1 Pet 3:22; Matt 18:10; Heb 12:23; Heb 9:12; Phil 3:20; 1 Pet 1:4; Heb 7:25; 2 Cor 5:1-2; Col 3:1-2; Heb 12:23).

THOSE WHO CAME FROM HEAVEN. There are personalities who are said to have already "come" from heaven:" Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Angels, and our call (John 6:38; 1 Pet 1:12; Luke 2:13).

THAT WHICH COMES FROM HEAVEN. There are benefits that are said to "come" from heaven. Gifts and blessings, guidance, answered prayer, grace, peace, and Divine utterance (James 1:17; Psa 32:8; Acts 11:9; Gal 1:3; Heb 12:25).

WHO WILL BE IN HEAVEN. Much is said about who will at last be in heaven. Overcomers – those who came out of tribulation – those who washed their robes – those whose names are written there – those who suffered with Him – those who have done good – those who have served Christ – those who made their calling election sure – those who did not defile garments – those who confessed Christ before men – the faithful – those who quenched not Spirit – those who followed the Lamb (Rev 3:21; 7:14; Lk 10:20; Rom 8:17; John 5:29; Col 3:24; 2 Pet 1:10; Rev 3:4; Matt 10:32; Rev 17:14; 1 Thess 5:19; Rev 14:4).

WHO WILL NOT BE THERE. Ponder those who will NOT be there. Fornicators – idolaters – adulterers – homosexuals – thieves – covetous – drunkards – revilers – extortioners – fearful – unbelieving – abominable – murderers – whoremongers – sorcerers – those who know not God – those who obey not the Gospel – all liars – false prophets – those who practice witchcraft (1 Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5-6; Rev 21:8).

WHAT WILL PASS. There are things that will forever pass away when we dwell at last with the Lord. Former things – the devil – false prophets – partial knowledge – our earthly tabernacle – marriage – death – sorrow – pain – trouble – anything that defiles – the first heaven and first earth – all tears – all curses – the night – our earthen vessels (Psa 37:10; Isa 35:10; 1 Cor 13:9-10,12; Rev 7:16; 21:1,4,27; 22:3).

EXPERIENCES TO BE HAD IN HEAVEN. Ponder what we will experience in heaven. No second hand knowledge (drink directly from the fountain) – stability – we will be like Him – God Himself will be with us – we will have a new name – there will be a new work – we will sing a new song – we will have authority – we will be confessed before God – we will be confessed before angels – we will be praised by God – we will be served by Jesus – there will be total purity – we will experience uninterrupted communion – we will see His face – we will know as we are known – there will be a sense of thorough acceptance (Rev 21:6; 1 John 3:2; Rev 21:3; Rev 3:12; Lk 19:17; Rev 5:9; 14:3; Dan 7:18,22,27; 1 Cor 6:2-3; Matt 10:23; 1 Cor 4:5; Lk 12:37; Eph 5:27; Rev 7:15; Rev 22:4; 1 Cor 13:12; Mal 3:17).

OUR ACTIVITY IN HEAVEN. Consider some of the activities that have already been revealed. We will reign with Christ –we will serve God continually – we will inquire in His temple – we will judge the world – we will judge angels – we will inherit all things (2 Tim 2:12; Rev 7:15; Psa 27:4; 1 Cor 6:2-3).

CHRIST'S DESIRE THAT WE BE THERE That where I am there will you be also (John 14:3) – Gather His wheat into (Matt 3:12) – Be with me where I am (John 17:24) – "with the Lord" (1 Thess 4:16-17) – absent/present (2 Cor 5:8) – Behold I and the children (Heb 2:13)

THE ASSOCIATION OF OUR CALLING WITH HEAVEN. Heavenly calling (Heb 3:1)– Call TO heaven: From glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18) – to kingdom and glory (1 Thess 2:12) – to obtaining of glory (2 Thess 2:14) – Begotten to an incorruptible inheritance (1 Pet 1:3-4).

THE FOCUS OF SPIRITUAL LIFE. Lay up treasures in (Matt 6:20) – conversation in (Phil 3:20-21) – names written there (Lk 10:20/Heb 12:23) – hope laid up there (Col 1:5) – better and enduring substance there (Heb 10:34) – inheritance reserved in (1 Pet 1:4) – one thing desired; dwell in house (Psa 27:4) – joy in the morning(Psa 30:5) – precious seed and sheaves (Psa 126:6) – reap in due season (Gal 6:10) – make up His jewels (Mal 3:17) – poor; their's kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3) – pure; see God (Matt 5:8) – persecuted; great is your reward (Matt 5:12) – remains a rest (Heb 4:9) – Here we have no continuing city (Heb 13:14) – Strangers and pilgrims here, citizens there (1 Pet 2:11; Phil 3:20-21) – whom He justified, them He also glorified (Rom 8:30) – Considering heavenly realities lightens sufferings (2 Cor 4;17-18) – not worthy to be compared (Rom 8:17).

THE GLORY THAT AWAITS THE SAINTS. The marvelous change – 2 Cor 5:1-5; 1 John 3:1-3; 1 Cor 15;51-52 – The liberating separation– Matt 13:41-42 – Then we will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father – Exalted responsibility – 2 Tim 2:12 – Inherit all things – Rom 8:17; Rev 21:7; Matt 5:5 – Be praised/honored by God – 1 Cor 4:5; John 12:26; 1 Sam 2:30 Them that honor Me I will honor – Be served by Jesus – Luke 12:37.

DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU we do not know much about heaven!

– Given O. Blakely