Why I Believe in Heaven

 TEXT:  John 14:1-3; Revelation 21

TOPIC:  Why I Believe in Heaven

Pastor Bobby Earls, FBC, Center Point, September 21, 2005

If you could imagine the most beautiful place in all the world, where would it be?

If you could imagine the most beautiful place beyond this world, where would it be?

Heaven has been on my mind a lot lately.  I know that with the death of my mother on September 10th of this year, I have thought a lot about Heaven.

The Bible tells us that there are three heavens:

1)      The first heaven is the one just above our heads, where the birds fly.

2)      The second heaven is beyond the reach of most of us.  It is the heaven that contains the moon, the stars and the planets of the universe.

3)      The third heaven is a spiritual heaven where God is, the angels, and the redeemed of the Lord.  There’s only one way to this heaven.

Heaven is not just a hope, or a dream, or fantasy, it is a real place, as real as this lovely chapel we’re gathered in tonight.  It is the future eternal home of the children of God who by faith have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord.

John 14:1-3

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Why do I believe in Heaven?

I.                   I Believe in Heaven because of the One who told us about it, John 14:1-3

Verse 1, Jesus is God and He’s prepared a perfect place for us.

Verse 2, A place of many mansions.  Jesus would not lie to us.

Verse 3, Jesus wants us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

II.                I Believe in Heaven because of Our Need for a New World, Revelation 21:1-6

Revelation 21:1-6

1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

A new Heaven on earth….

We often concentrate on what will be in heaven, but look at what the bible says will not be in heaven. (verse 4)