Heaven is where I want to go

Hebrews 13:13-15

Life on earth is not Forever

The earth will be ended at some point

Easy for us to think that life on earth will be forever.

High school - friendships that would “last forever” - maybe so, but probably not!

We cannot tie ourselves to this world to the detriment of where we will be in eternity.

This world is merely a stepping stone to a higher existence - IF we become a part of that existence.

2 Peter 3:8-13 – This world will be destroyed.

After earth, where will humanity go?

Most will end up in Hell, a.k.a. “not-heaven”

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate.”

Revelation 21:7–8 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Those who are righteous will go to heaven.

Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

God has given us the Way, and we only need to take it.

Where we end up will be our choice - no one else will be responsible for our eternal destiny.

Heaven is real

It is a “place” talked about in Scripture. Jn. 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 2 Cor. 12:2; Ps. 14:2; 1 Thess. 4:16-17

John 14:1-3 - Jesus told the disciples He would go to prepare a “place” for them.

Acts 1:11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

2 Corinthians 12:2 – Paul speaks of “the third heaven”

Psalms 14:2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven...”

Real people will be there.

Jesus (Acts 1:9;7:55); Elijah (2 Kings 2:11); Enoch (Genesis 5:24); Moses (Matthew 17:3); Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Matthew 8:11)

Will we know each other? Matt. 8:11; 1 Jn. 3:1-2; 2 Sam. 12:23

Matthew 8:11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,

1 John 3:1-2 – We will know and recognize Christ in heaven.

2 Samuel 12:23 – David looked forward to seeing his child.

Can we enjoy heaven, but miss those who are not going to be there? Lk. 16; Rev. 21:4

Luke 16 – No sign that Lazarus missed the rich man.

Revelation 21:4 - God wipes away all tears. It may be that he wipes the memory of others from our minds.

Why I want to go

It is eternal. Rev. 22:5,14; 1 Pet. 1:3-5

Revelation 22:5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

1 Peter 1:3-5 – The inheritance of the Christian is “imperishable”; compare and contrast with life here on earth.

It is a beautiful, happy place. Rev. 21:4, 10-21

Revelation 21:10-21 – Nothing like this here on earth.

Even if someone tried to build it, it would eventually decay and crumble without work to preserve it.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Nothing negative or sad in this place. All will be joy, because the faithful can dwell with their God forever.

It is a place of rest. Matt. 11:28; Heb. 4:1-13; Rev. 14:13

Matthew 11:28 – Jesus' promise: “I will give you rest”

Hebrews 4:1-13 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!"

It is a place of righteousness

Revelation 21:27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

2 Peter 3:13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

This tells us that heaven is a place WITHOUT SIN.

Christians do not enjoy living around worldliness. It disgusts and upsets us to see others living sinful lives.

Christians will be completely free from any influence of sin in heaven.

No sinners there, only saints. In the company of Noah, Moses, Elijah, etc.

Out of our two choices, which would you prefer to be your destiny?

The world says that everybody/good people/all faiths will be in heaven.

The Bible says that only those who are PREPARED will go there.

If Christians have eternal life NOW, doesn't this mean we should see signs of heaven in our brothers and sisters here on earth?

Revelation 22:7 "And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."