Starting a Discussion on Heaven
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
When people begin talking about Heaven, there are often a lot of opinions about what it will be like. Some of these ideas come from popular folklore and some come from God’s Word.
In the classic book, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” Miss Watson takes a dim view of Huck’s fun-loving spirit. Huck describes what Miss Watson believes about heaven, “She went on and told me all about the good place. She said all a body would have to do there was go around all day long with a harp and sing forever and ever. . .” Honestly, if that is heaven, then Huck isn’t sure he wants any part of it. Interestingly enough, I’ve actually had people tell me this.
QUESTION 1—What do you believe about Heaven?
QUESTION 2—What do you think your friends and family believe about heaven?
Satan is a Liar
Satan is a Liar
One of the reasons that there are so many differing opinions is because of Satan.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.
Satan is first and foremost a liar! But did you catch in Revelation 13:6 says he lies about? He lies about heaven! That means that he wants people to believe the lies that he puts out there about heaven.
Heaven is Greater Than We Can Imagine
Heaven is Greater Than We Can Imagine
One of the things that we need to understand about heaven is the fact that it will be greater than we could ever imagine. Look at 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 .
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
QUESTION 3—Brainstorm with me. What do you think heaven will be like?
Now multiply it times infinity and that is what heaven will actually be like.
Uses of the Word Heaven
Uses of the Word Heaven
QUESTION 4—So, when you read the word heaven in the Bible, what do you think it means?
Heaven = Sky
Heaven = Sky
Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Heaven = the Dwelling Place of God
Heaven = the Dwelling Place of God
Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us as you promised on oath to our ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.”
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.
The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Heaven = A Real Place
Heaven = A Real Place
However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,
So we have learned tonight that we might have some misconceptions about heaven. Hopefully, some of these will be dispelled as we go through this study.
Secondly we have learned that throughout the Scriptures the word Heaven is used in at least two different ways.
First it is used to describe the sky which hold the sun, moon, and stars.
Secondly, it is used to describe the dwelling place of God. This is the place where we will go and live when we die—first as a spirit and then with our glorified bodies!