Heaven Sermon
Generally when I sit down to prepare a lesson for the week, I have an idea of what I am going to talk about. Either the Lord will drop something in my spirit and have me meditate on it, or some event will take place, or someone will come in for counseling, and I’ll have a place to start. Not this week.
You all know that I work in a mega church. June is a very busy month. We’re hosting a Women in Ministry Conference, and two major outreach events: a church carnivals/picnic and a jazz concert. Putting it mildly -- this week was trying! and this coming week will be even more demanding!!
Scripture tells us to be not a weary in well doing (2 Thess 3:13), and I am ashamed to admit this but I’m weary. I found myself asking where’s the payoff? When does my harvest come in? Ever feel that way?
So this morning my encouragement to you, and to myself is this study.
Let’s go to Heaven.
When you think of Heaven what thoughts come to mind?
Ø beauty, comfort, peace, satisfaction, and contentment.
Ø Food can taste heavenly.
Ø A massage can feel like Heaven.
Ø A sunset and be described as a slice of heaven.
But heaven is more than that.
Heaven is a place, a real place.
It is God’s home.
It is our eternal destination.
It is the final reward.
The Bible is full of details about heaven. Thank God that He has unwrapped some of its mystery so that we can get a glimpse and be encouraged to continue fighting the good fight. Our marching orders this week come from Colossians 3:2 where Paul says,
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”.
WHAT IS HEAVEN?
The word heaven appears 582 times in 550 different verses in the Bible.
The Hebrew word shamayim literally means “the heights.” The Greek word ouranos (the same word that inspired the name of the planet Uranus) refers to “that which is raised up or lofty”.
Both words refer to three different places.
1. atmospheric heaven – the 1st “heaven”, is the sky, or the troposphere—the region with breathable atmosphere
Turn to Genesis 1: 6-8
6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse “sky.” [1st heaven]And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
This is where weather: rain, snow, wind reside.
2. planetary or celestial heaven - the second “heaven,” is where the stars, the moon, and the planets are.
Turn to Genesis 1:14-18
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky [2nd heaven] to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness.
3. Heaven [capital “H”] – 3rd Heaven is the one Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 12:2, go there real quick
“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. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.
The 3rd Heaven, is where God dwells with His angels and believers who have died. Now that doesn’t mean that God is confined there. God is omnipresent. He can be everywhere. He is in heaven and with us here.
Psalms 139:7-10 says,
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
In Isaiah 57:15 God says,
“I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
It might be safer to say, Heaven is his His command post.
It is the place where his throne sits.
We find this in both the Old and New Testaments
In the OT there are a number of references to God “looking down from Heaven”.
In the NT we see Jesus repeating the words, “your Father in Heaven” and “my father in Heaven”
What is the first verse of the Lord’s Prayer?
“Our Father, which art in Heaven”
Where did Jesus say he came from?
Turn to John 6:38
38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
In-between the Testaments, during that 400 years when there were no prophets, God still preserved a remnant. During that time the Jewish people developed a fear of using God’s name. They believed the covenant name of God (Yahweh or Jehovah) was too holy to pass through human lips. So they began substituting other terms in place of God’s name. “Heaven” became a common substitute.
By the time Jesus arrived on the scene, the practice was so ingrained in them, that when Jesus said he came from Heaven, they heard him say that he was God - since the word heaven stood for God Himself.
That’s why Luke refers to “the Kingdom of God.” But Matthew, who wrote to Jews, calls it “the kingdom of heaven” (Luke 8:10; Matt. 13:11).
Another example is in the story of the prodigal son. When the boy returns home he says to his father,
“I have sinned against heaven, and against you.” (Luke 15:18 )
He meant that he had sinned against God.
Here may be the first time having a Western understanding of the scriptures is an advantage. Scripture does not in any way shape or form equate heaven with God Himself. The terms are not the same.
God created Heaven.
Heaven, is a place—the place where God dwells,
the place where the elect will dwell with Him for all eternity, the third heaven.
BUT, heaven is not limited by the normal boundaries of time and space. Heaven is not limited by height, width, or breadth. Scientists tell us all the time that they have discovered new planets, and new solar systems – that the universe is constantly expanding. Now, if that is the 2nd heaven, how much more infinite can the 3rd be?
I know what you’re thinking –what about Revelations and the description of the New Jerusalem?
Let’s go there, Rev 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Skip down to verse 16
16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using.
I just said you couldn’t measure heaven and then I give you its dimensions. No, I gave you the dimensions of the New Jerusalem – the city.
At the fulfillment of time, all 3 heavens and earth will unite. Now our minds just can’t comprehend how that will happen. That’s ok, we’ll just have to wait and see how it all takes place.
Let’s back up a little. From an earthly standpoint, a kingdom is the place where a king lives. It is also where his rules apply. In the same way, Heaven is the place where God dwells and it is also the Kingdom of God – His rules, His authority, His way of doing things.
You with me? Now I want you to factor in that Heaven doesn’t have boundaries like an earthly kingdom might. It transcends normal time-space dimensions.
Jesus came to earth from Heaven, correct?
He was operating in God’s authority when he proclaimed the gospel. Correct?
He used supernatural power to overcome fallen nature: He healed the sick, he opened blind eyes, he opened deaf ears. He raised the dead. Correct?
He brought the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. I’ll prove it.
Turn to Matthew 12:28
28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Do we believe that? Do we exercise that authority?
Didn’t Paul say “our citizenship is in heaven” Phil. 3:20.
Doesn’t Ephesians 2:6 say, We better go there.
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
Notice that the verbs are in the past tense. We aren’t in heaven bodily yet. But we are spiritually already seated with Christ in the heavenlies. We already possess eternal life, and the spiritual riches of heaven are ours in Jesus Christ.
Scripture say that the kingdom of God is
“righteousness, peace & joy in the Holy Ghost”. (Rom 14:17)
The point I’m trying to make here is that Kingdom of Heaven transcends time & space and is available to us today.
OTHER MISCONCEPTIONS
How does the unbelieving world portrays heaven?
Ø Some say heaven exists to gratify earthly lusts. We will have everything we always wanted.
Ø Others say that heaven will be unbearably monotonous. How can we enjoy life without our vices?
Ø Cartoons picture heaven’s inhabitants sitting on clouds and playing harps with St. Peter as the gatekeeper with his reservations book admitting some and turning others away.
Ø Some golfers think the game may lose its charm in heaven when everyone makes only holes in one.
This kind of thinking forgets God’s purpose in creating us. Weren’t we created to Worship God? To glorify Him?
In His presence there is fullness of joy! How can that possibly be boring?
The only things you won’t have in Heaven that you have on earth are sorrows, cares, tears, fears, or pain: (Rev. 21:4–5).
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new”
So what does the Bible say Heaven looks like? Our best source is the book of Revelations. In it the word Heaven appears more than 50 times. And although it describes events that will take place on Earth, John viewed these events from Heaven.
Turn to Revelations 4. John was in exile on the Island of Patmos. He was in prayer when an angel appeared before him and told him to write a letter to the 7 churches. After he did this he says, Rev 4:
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.
We’re talking about the 3rd Heaven the place where God dwells.
And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
Notice he says someone, not something.
3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.
Had the appearance: John is trying very hard to describe something he cannot explain. He is seeing the glory of God. John compares the glory of God to precious stones.
4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
How many tribes of Israel? 12
How many apostles? 12
12+12=24 representing all believers, Old and New Testament alike – the whole body of Christ.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.
Again John is describing the glory of God. When you are caught in a severe thunderstorm with lightning strikes nearby, how do you feel? My dogs freak out. They will literally jump in our laps and shake frantically. Just like when God appear on Mt. Sinai. The people heard the voice of God like thunder and were so afraid they told Moses to go meet God without them. (Exod 19:16)
Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
Seven spirits: This does not mean there are 7 Holy Spirits. There is only one Holy Spirit. These could be 7 characteristics of the Holy Spirit as listed in Isaiah 11:2:
Ø “The spirit of [1] the Lord …
Ø the spirit of [2] wisdom
Ø and [3] understanding,
Ø the spirit of [4] counsel
Ø and [5] might,
Ø the spirit of [6] knowledge
Ø and of [7] the fear of the Lord.”
I’ve also heard teaching that suggests they are the angels assigned to protect the 7 churches. I don’t know. I’ll find that one out when I get to heaven.
6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
What quality does crystal have? It reflects and throws light. Heaven is not a dark place!
In the center, around the throne,
The throne is mentioned 39 times in the book of Revelations. Everything in Heaven focuses on the throne of God reflecting his glory.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings.
There is diversity in Heaven. The creatures are different from each other. What type of angels they are, I don’t know.
Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Heaven is a place of eternal worship. But there is no temple in Heaven. God himself is the place of worship.
Flip over to Rev 21
12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.
21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.
There is no darkness in heaven.
23 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. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.
I mentioned earlier that Heaven had no boundaries and that the 3 heavens & earth would combine? Look at this,
25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
We won’t be confined to Heaven, we can come and go as we please. We can walk into God’s throne room anytime we want. And when we leave, we’re still in his glory light!!!
27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
And all our needs will be met. Turn to Rev 22
What will we drink?
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city.
What will we eat?
On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.
Look at that, there is a fruit of the month club in Heaven!
And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Talk about a healthy salad!
3 No longer will there be any curse.
No more heart burn, no more cancer, no more diabetes, no more headaches, no more arthritis, no more sickness or disease!
I don’t know about you, but that excites me. People don’t talk about Heaven anymore. They don’t sing about Heaven, they don’t dream about Heaven. We dream about our earthly homes. We plan what we’ll do with our friend next week, and where we’re going on vacation. But don’t give eternity with God a fleeting thought. Heaven is our eternal home. Let me encourage you to think about it, meditate on the verses we studied this morning, dream about where you will spend eternity. Get excited and you won’t have time to get weary. God bless you.