Heaven

The Eternal Results of our Response

The Doctrine of Heaven. 

1. Why do we want to talk about this? 

   1. Now that we have a biblical understanding of hell we find it important to talk about heaven. Heaven is something that we should long for! 

   2. “The main issue people have with hell is they don’t see the necessity of it, the main issue people have with heaven is they don’t have enough desire for it.” - Luke Marriner. 

2. What does our culture teach about heaven? 

1. That it’s a place of happiness, no more pain, we can do whatever we want without any consequences, reincarnation, different levels of heaven (universal atonement and no hell), there is no heaven, soul sleep, that our memories will be wiped away, we’ll have new bodies, etc. 

3. What is heaven? 

   1. Technically speaking Scripture refers to three different places when speaking of heaven. These are as follows: the atmospheric heaven (troposphere) which is seen in Isaiah 55:8-10 and Psalm 147:8, the planetary heaven where the stars, moons, and planets are which is seen in Genesis 1:14-17, and what is most commonly known and thought of, the divine heaven, where God dwells with His holy angels and the saints who have died 2 Corinthians 12:2. 

      1. Don’t get caught up in the “three heavens,” it is simply how the Bible describes these three places. We will be discussing the heaven where God dwells because that is where we will be when we pass, until the new heaven and earth are created (Revelation 21-22). 

   2. Where the Father dwells… Matthew 5:16, Matthew 6:9, Mark 11:25, etc. 

   3. Where the Son is at the right hand of the Father… John 6:38, Acts 1:11, etc. 

   4. Where we will be with our brothers and sisters in Christ under the new heaven and earth… Matthew 8:11, Hebrews 12:23, etc. 

   5. Where our names are written… Luke 10:20. 

   6. Where our inheritance, eternal reward, and treasure are… 1 Peter 1:3-4, Matthew 5:12, Matthew 6:19-21, etc.

   7. Where our citizenship is… Philippians 3:20. 

   8. A city that we are seeking… Hebrews 13:14. 

   9. A better country… Hebrews 11:16. 

   10. A paradise…Luke 23:43.

   11. Physical creation will be renewed (including our bodies that will no longer hunger, thirst, or have physical needs)... 1 Corinthians 15:42-52, Philippians 3:21. 

   12. Where we will be completely free from sin and its effects, no longer desiring sin and being free from the punishment of sin… Revelation 21-22. 

   13. Where we will have a blessed vision of God and our joy for God will be beyond anything we can imagine… 1 Timothy 6:16, Colossians 3:4, Revelation 21-22.  

   14. In summary, it will be our home… John 14:2, 2 Corinthians 5:1, etc.

4. Why don’t people normally think of heaven as being beyond this life? 

   1. “We live in a time when credit cards allow us to own what we can't afford, go where we wouldn't be able to go, and do what would otherwise be impossible for us. Then we begin paying--hopefully. Sometimes people allow their indebtedness to steadily increase until they can't meet all their obligations, and serious problems result. The credit problem is symptomatic of an attitude that says, "I want what I want when I want it!" The mindset of our age is against postponing anything. We prefer instant gratification, gladly sacrificing the future on the altar of the immediate. Unfortunately the church has fallen prey to such materialistic indulgence. Rather than setting their affections on things above (Colossians 3:1), many Christians are attached to the earth. Rather than laying up their treasure in heaven, they have dedicated themselves to accumulating treasure here. Certain television and radio ministries, preaching a prosperity gospel, promise people that Jesus wants them healthy, wealthy, and successful. Such teaching is extremely popular because it caters to people's desire to have everything in this life. Because the church doesn't have heaven on its mind, it tends to be indulgent, self-centered, and weak. Its present comfort consumes its thoughts, and it entertains only passing thoughts of heaven.” - John MacArthur. 

   2. RC Sproul and his wife were involved in one of the worst Amtrak accidents in the history of Alabama and afterwards there were many reporters coming up to them and asking questions such as, “Why were you so lucky as to survive this and why would God allow you to survive while He took these other peoples’ lives?” 

      1. RC Sproul referred to this in a message on Heaven later on, “One of the things that pops into my mind is the assumption behind that question, that I was the lucky one. Because if I had not survived the train wreck, I would be home! I’d be in heaven! So what’s the big deal? But we naturally assume that we’ll cling to life on this earth, desperately, fearful that what lies beyond is worse. But for those who are going to heaven the bliss that God has stored up for you is unworthy to be compared to any joy or any delight we cling to in this life.”

   3. “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” - C.S. Lewis.

5. How should we feel about heaven?

   1. We should long for it, we are not meant for this world, we are to have a two-worldly and pilgrimage outlook! We are exiles and pilgrims on this earth (Hebrews 11:13-16, 1 Peter 1:1, 1 Peter 2:11).

6. Is everyone rewarded the same in heaven? 

   1. While all receive eternal life, not all will receive the same rewards in heaven. Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). 

7. Wouldn’t this cause envy among the saints?

   1. In a message on Jonathan Edward’s sermon on Romans 2:10, John Piper says, 

      1. “There shall be no such thing as envy in heaven, but perfect love shall reign throughout the whole society.” 

      2. “We will rejoice that those who’ve been most eminent in works of righteousness should be most highly exalted in glory.” 

   2. A way of thinking about it is that in heaven we will all have cups, while not everyone will have the same size cup, everyone’s will be filled and all will be satisfied, not envious of others. In fact, seeing that others have more will even bring joy to those with less and add to their happiness. 

8. So should we do good to get rewards back in heaven? 

   1. Absolutely not. We do good to glorify God and honor Him. We must check our hearts before making decisions such as these. When we do this we are placing the gift above the giver, this is idolatry. It is okay to know we will be rewarded, but not to elevate that to being our reason for doing good. 

      1. In my own life I had to be patient and pray for some time before tithing after my first co-op rotation this past summer. I prayed that I would be tithing for the proper reasons, not to gain something in the future. Once I was assured of my motivation to give I went through with it. 

9. What should this drive us to do?

   1. We should long for heaven, knowing that it is far superior to what we have here on earth. We must use the things of this world wisely, not setting our eyes and time on them, but on Christ. We must tell others about what the Lord has done! 

10. Resources: 

    1. Heaven Ligonier. 

    2. Heaven Grace To You. 

    3. What is Heaven like? Got Questions.  

    4. Let Go of Lies About Heaven desiringGod. 

    5. Do Christians go immediately to heaven when they die? Ligonier.  

    6. Death and the Intermediate State Ligonier. 

    7. Will we be able to see and know our friends and family members in Heaven? Will we know each other in Heaven? GQ. 

    8. What does Hebrews 12:23 mean? Bible Reference. 

    9. Why Will Some of Us Get Fewer Rewards in Heaven? dG. 

    10. Will Some Get More Reward in Heaven than Others? Enduring Word. 

    11. How can we store up treasures in heaven? GQ.  

    12. Strong's Greek: 1497. εἴδωλον (eidólon) Bible Hub.

Extra Notes on The Doctrine of Heaven from Bear Group 9/30/20, Led by Trevor Petrucci. From Luke Marriner. 

1. We are doctrinally sound, but we must live it out each day. 

2. Why don’t people normally think of heaven as being beyond this life? 

   1. We’re so attached to this world, heaven seems far away. 

3. We are to have a two-wordly and pilgrimage outlook. 

   1. Hebrews 11:13-16, 1 Peter 1:1, 1 Peter 2:11. 

      1. We are exiles, pilgrims here on earth. 

   2. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Luke 12:53, Matthew 10:34-35, Ephesians 5:6-11, Romans 8:23. 

      1. We are to walk separately from this world, we must be separate even from family and society if need be. 

      2. We must use the things of this world wisely, not setting our eyes and time on it, but on Christ. 

4. Ask yourself… is this really even worth it? 

   1. For me it’s attaining personal achievement. No it is not. 

5. Why do we share our belief in heaven with others? Why’s it so glorious? 

   1. We get to escape all of the evil of this world and live free of sin, always praising and dwelling with God for eternity. 

   2. We will be with Christ eternally. 

6. 1 Corinthians 2:9, Luke 23:43, John 14:2, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Hebrews 13:14. 

   1. Heaven is a paradise, a city, a place to dwell, a glorious inheritance, a place of joy. 

7. 1 Corinthians 15:42-52, Colossians 3:4, 1 Timothy 6:16, Philippians 3:21. 

   1. Physical creation will be renewed. 

   2. We have a natural body and a spiritual body that won’t hunger or thirst or have physical needs. 

   3. We will be free from sin, we will no longer feel the desire to sin, we will be free from the punishment of sin. 

   4. We will have a blessed vision of God, our joy for God will be beyond anything we can imagine.