Heaven as community of the redeemed

Heaven as a divine gift

Romans 6:23 NIV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Divine preparations made for believers in heaven

John 14:2 NIV

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?

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The redeemed in heaven come from all peoples

Revelation 7:9–10 NIV

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

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The redeemed owe their place in heaven solely to Jesus Christ

Washing one’s robes in the blood of the Lamb symbolises cleansing through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

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The redeemed are identified with Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ acknowledges the redeemed as his own

Luke 12:8 NIV

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.

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Believers possess the family likeness to Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:49 NIV

And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

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Believers share divine life

2 Peter 1:4 NIV

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

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Believers on earth at the second coming will be taken up to heaven

Revelation 11:12 NIV

Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

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Conditions in heaven for the redeemed

Perpetual and perfect fellowship with the Lord

Revelation 21:3 NIV

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

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Joy in the immediate presence of God

Psalm 16:11 NIV

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

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Restfulness

2 Thessalonians 1:5–7 NIV

All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

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There will no longer be any need for the marriage relationship

Matthew 22:30 NIV

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Heaven is filled with the light of God’s glory

Revelation 21:23 NIV

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

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Believers will share Jesus Christ’s glory

Colossians 3:4 NIV

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

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Divine glory will banish the memory of earthly troubles

Romans 8:18 NIV

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

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There will be no more death or suffering in heaven

Revelation 21:4 NIV

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

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Believers are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem

Philippians 3:20 NIV

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

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Their names are enrolled as citizens of heaven

Luke 10:20 NIV

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

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