What Do We Know About Heaven? Part 2

AUGUST 22, 2021 STUDY NOTES “HEAVEN” PART 2 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HEAVEN? INTRODUCTION We know that everybody wants to go to Heaven, but everybody does not want to go to Heaven today We know that everybody that wants to go to Heaven is not going to go to Heaven In our last study the question was asked, “are you going to go to Heaven?” Do you know the answer? We also answered the question, “who goes to Heaven?” Only those who are “born again” Jesus spoke to a man by the name of Nicodemus, a good man in the sight of man, a very religious man He was a good citizen, a good neighbor, and a good family man He was a highly moral person, highly respected, honest, and law-abiding Listen to what Jesus said to Nicodemus, Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. “Except” means there is no other way and there will never be another way to go to Heaven The only way to ever “see the kingdom of God” or to enter Heaven is to be “born again” It is impossible any other way for anyone, even someone like Nicodemus, or you “Born again” means to be born “from above,” the only way to enter Heaven is by a “New Birth” A birth that can only be of God the Father, a spiritual birth which is only through receiving Jesus Without the spiritual birth you “cannot see the kingdom of God” or go to Heaven WHERE IS THE HEAVEN THAT ALL OF THE SAVED WILL ENTER? In our last study we found that there are three heavens identified in scripture The first heaven is the atmospheric heaven, the immediate sky, it is the heaven we see by day The second heaven is the stratosphere, it is the heaven we see by night There is a Third Heaven somewhere beyond the first and second heaven The only way to see the Third Heaven is by faith in Jesus Christ and to be “Born Again” So, where is the “Third Heaven?” The modern space study of today has not found the end of the 2nd heaven The solar system is vast and far beyond what NASA ever imagined it to be The exact size of the universe is unknown, scientists believe that it is still expanding outward A Solar System article stated that the Universe is a very big place, and the earth is a small part of it The Solar System is filled with its fair share of mysteries for man When it comes to exploring the 2nd heaven we’ve really-only begun to scratch the surface If the extent of the 2nd heaven is beyond being located, how vast and extensive is the 3rd Heaven? Scientists have a question, “Is anybody out there?” The Bible can answer their question They say as far as they know now, earth is the only planet known to harbor life According to scripture there is life out there somewhere in a place known as the Third Heaven The Lord has stretched out the sky, the firmament of the heavens, Jer 10:12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. (Which is His wisdom and knowledge) Jer 51:15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. (Which is His wisdom and knowledge) God has stretched out the heavens, Isa 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and Page 1 of 5 stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: Scientists will never discover the vastness of the 2nd heaven with their wisdom and knowledge But those who are saved will discover and experience the vastness of the Third Heaven Heaven is a literal place, Heaven is as real as earth, real people will go to a real place called Heaven Jesus left a real heaven to come to a real earth, He left a real earth to go back to a real heaven So, where is the “Third Heaven?” Scripture shares that a certain part of the universe, called Heaven, must be “up” from the earth Heaven is “up,” it is upward, above us, after talking with Abraham, God went up, Gen 17:22 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. God is asked to “look down” from heaven, Deu 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey. Paul said that he was “caught up” into the third heaven, 2Co 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. The Third Heaven is also called “Paradise,” 2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. From the cross, Jesus went to paradise, and He made the repentant thief a promise, Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. At that time paradise was in the realm of hades, the abode of the dead Paradise was the same realm as “Abraham’s Bosom,” where Lazarus went when he died, Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; Jesus went to hades following His death on the cross, Act 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, (Hades) neither his flesh did see corruption. Hades was the realm of the dead, the place of all departed spirits before the cross of Jesus Before Jesus completed the work of redemption, O.T. saints could not enter-into God’s presence Because of the cross, saints could now enter-into the immediate presence of God (The Third Heaven) Jesus removed the OT saints from hades and led them into the immediate presence of God, Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. At some time after the resurrection Jesus transferred Paradise from Hades to the Third Heaven Paradise is no longer “down” in the realm of Hades, it is now “up” in the Third Heaven Jesus came down from Heaven to dwell upon the earth, Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. When Jesus left the earth, He ascended-up into Heaven, Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; That is why we are told to seek those things which are above, Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. One day Jesus will return to the earth from Heaven, Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Jesus will “descend” from heaven, 1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Believers who are still living on earth will be “caught up,” 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Page 2 of 5 Heaven will be where Jesus takes us, regardless of where Heaven is, to be with Jesus is Heaven WILL WE KNOW ONE ANOTHER IN HEAVEN? We will know each other in heaven, we will know everyone in heaven There will not be anyone in heaven that we don’t know In heaven we will see each other as we really are, we will know the truth of one another We will not see each other as we are now, or as we used to be before we were saved We will see each other as we are “in Christ,” we will fully know Christ, 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. We will all know Christ as He is, and we will know one another as we are “In-Christ” It is not earthly relationships that will be known but spiritual relationships We will see each other as saved, sanctified, and glorified saints of God That is what we should see in each other today, but sinful ways mar the image We cannot clearly see the true eternal life today because of sin in us and sin in others In Heaven we will be able to see one another without sin, selfishness, jealousy, anger, or hate We will be able to see one another in holiness, Christ-like knowledge, love, and truth In heaven we will be able to identify each person by name and we will be able to remember names We will go by names in heaven, and we will know everyone in heaven by name A great source of joy is to know that our name is written in heaven, Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. When we receive Jesus on earth, He writes our name in heaven Because we are saved our names “are written in heaven,” the record is final and forever Which teaches the security of the believer, once saved, always saved We have been enrolled as Heavenly Citizens, our citizenship is eternal The purpose of a name is to identify someone, the name represents who the person is A name distinguishes one person from another, your name represents your identity As you live your life on earth, your name identifies with your accomplishments, or failures Your name identifies with your relationships, your friends and family When you die your body will be placed in the cemetery, with a gravestone identifying you by name Those who know you will identify with the name written on your memorial plaque Your earthly name identifies with the life you lived on earth Your name is not written in heaven because of your accomplishments on earth Your name is written in heaven because of the work of Christ in you, because Jesus saved you Your name in heaven will be the same as your earthly name, there will be no name change The difference is relationship, your heavenly name identifies with your heavenly relationship According to scripture we will know one another by name in Heaven David had prayed for his son to live, 2Sa 12:22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But his son died, and David knew that he would see his son in heaven, 2Sa 12:23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. David would know his son in heaven David knew that there would be an eternal relationship between him and his son The reason is because God is the God of the living, Luk 20:37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Page 3 of 5 These men were individuals and identified by name while they lived on earth Even though they have died, they are still living and still identified by name God is forever the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God is the God of the living There is life after death and our earthly name identifies us with that life, Luk 20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. Peter knew Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, Luk 9:33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. “Not knowing what he said,” does not refer to his knowing Moses and Elijah It referred to his not knowing that the Kingdom Age must follow the Church Age And the Church Age could only exist following the completed work of redemption Peter did know who Moses and Elijah were, even though they had lived hundreds of years before Moses and Elijah retained their identities beyond physical death The rich man was in hell, (Hades) but he knew Lazarus and Abraham, Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. The rich man had never seen Abraham in his life upon earth But he saw him and knew him in the life to come, he knew Lazarus upon the earth Even though he was separated from them by the great gulf fixed, he knew them, Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. We don’t know how much those in hell know about heaven, they will know they missed it We do know that those who go to heaven will know those who are already in heaven, Mat 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. We will know all-of the saints that we never knew in this life, there will be no loss of identity All saints will be known by name as they were known on earth We will sit with the Old Testament saints, and we will know them Paul’s hope was to see all fellow believers, 1Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? Paul said, “are not even you,” he would know who they were He would know that they were the ones that he had witnessed to and told them about Jesus He would know that they were in heaven because they had received Jesus And Paul would experience what he called the “crown of rejoicing” Which would not be his experience unless he could identify them in heaven, 1Th 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy. We will stand with all of those who were saved because of the preaching of the Gospel There will be the glory and joy of being with Jesus There will also be glory and joy because of those who are with us Those who are in heaven with us because we shared the Gospel with them Which could not be true unless we know who they are and why they are there The Thessalonian believers were concerned about their fellow Christians who had died, 1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. Their concern was, Jesus was coming back to the earth, and they had loved ones who had died Their loved ones were no longer on the earth, what were they going to miss out on? Paul assured them that they would be with Jesus when He returned, 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall Page 4 of 5 we ever be with the Lord. The emphasis is the return of Christ and what He will do for all believers But there is also the truth of our knowledge of one another, knowing one another “In-Christ” Heaven is not a repeat of earthly experiences, Heaven is an eternal experience with Christ But that brings us to a truth that should be our experience today HEAVEN ON EARTH Everyone wants to enjoy heaven after we die God wants us to enjoy a heavenly life while we live on earth We are in a heavenly relationship with Jesus today, Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: We receive spiritual blessings because we are already in “heavenly places in Christ” Christ is now seated in heavenly places, Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, “Heavenly places” is the position we now share “in Christ,” Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Being seated in heavenly places we are to be heavenly minded, Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. We must put into practice what we are in position Our body is on earth, our heart, mind, and soul, must be centered upon heaven If that is not true, then as a Christian, we are of no earthly value We are on an earthly path, but we must have a heavenly mind The more time you spend with Jesus today, the more life today is like Heaven Spend more time in Bible study, prayer, and worship and Heaven will mean more to you The hope of Heaven will motivate you to be more like him now, 1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. There is no earthly experience that will fully share with us the blessed state of Heaven But living as close to Jesus as you can today, is as close to Heaven as you can get today, Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. God has “rest” for His people today, rest that we can experience today There is a daily rest that is ours because we are now God’s people God’s people rest in the completed work of God through Christ Christ completed the work of salvation and we can experience the rest that is ours through salvation When we are saved, we experience God’s Rest of Salvation Because we are saved, we can experience the daily assurance of God’s Rest through faith And we have the assurance that Christians will experience the Eternal Rest of God in Heaven You can go to Heaven when you die, Heaven can come to you while you live on earth God’s daily rest for us is a taste of what Heaven is going to be How true the song is, listen to it Page 5 of 5