CENTRAL THOUGHT
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people and nothing that defileth can enter therein.
HYMN: “When the Trumpet of the Lord Shall Sound”
TEXT: John 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:1; Rev. 21:1-7
INTRODUCTION
Heaven is the abode of the Godhead, angels, and the dead in Christ. It is a place or state of supreme bliss. Heaven is the dwelling place of God (Acts 7:49) and the future home of the saints (John 14:3); a place free from every stain of sin and iniquity. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people and a place of perfect satisfaction and glory.
Heaven is the Throne- room of God (Ps. 103:19), a place of God’s full glory (Dan. 7:9-10), the home of the righteous dead (2 Cor. 5:1), the future home of all believers in Christ (Rev.7:9-10). Heaven is a
place far beyond anything that we can possibly conceive (1 Cor. 2:9), a place of holiness, full of great glory and without end, a place of continual worship (Rev. 19:1-6), a place that will never end (2 Peter 1:11), a place uncontaminated by evil (Rev. 21:27), and a place without night, curse, pain, crying, sorrow, and death.
As believers, we now live our lives in a special relationship with heaven because: (i) we belong there (Heb. 12:22-22), (ii) we are enthroned there (Eph. 2:6), (iii) we have our source of life in Christ there (Eph. 1:3), (iv) we have our names recorded there (Luke 10:20), (v) we have been sent by the One who lives there (John 17:18), (vi) we have our eyes fixed there (2 Cor. 4:17-18), (vii) we have our treasure there (1 Peter 1:3-4), (viii) our focus is heaven (Phil. 3:13-14).
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, we should be able to:
- Appreciate the reality and existence of heaven
- Identify those who are qualified to be in heaven
- Understand the features of heaven
- Know what happens to a Christian after death
- Examine what characterizes the life of a believer in heaven, his ultimate home
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. IS HEAVEN REAL AND IN EXISTENCE? (GEN. 1:1; JOHN 14:1-3; ACTS 7:49, 55-56).
In Genesis, it is recorded that God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). God’s Throne-room and dwelling place is heaven (Acts 7:49).
Furthermore, some Bible characters saw a glimpse of the existence of and reality of heaven. Some of them include
(a) Jacob, who saw a ladder that connected heaven and earth (Gen 28:12),
(b) John the Baptist, at the baptism of Jesus Christ saw the heavens open and a voice spoke to him, “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17),
(c ) Stephen, the first martyr, at the point of being stoned to death, saw the heavens open and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55-56),
(d) Apostle Paul also testified that he saw a glimpse of the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:1-4).
In John 14:1-3, the Lord Jesus Christ made a very special promise to every believer: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Heaven is the place where He is and preparing for us where we shall live with Him forever. From the above Scripture, it is obvious that heaven exists and is real.
Q2. WHO ARE THOSE QUALIFIED TO BE IN HEAVEN?
John 3:3-5; Heb. 12:14; Matt. 5:3,8,10; 19:14; 22:1-14; 1 Thess. 4:14
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Only those prepared by salvation can enter into heaven. Those qualified to enter into heaven include all who are born again (saved). These are the people who believe in Him and live for Jesus Christ; they walk in holiness, maintain purity of heart and are willing to suffer for the Lord and endure persecution to the end.
Q3a. WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF HEAVEN?
Ps. 20:6; Rev. 4:8-11, 7:15-17, 21:3, 4, 21, 22:1-5
The descriptive features of heaven as recorded in the Scriptures give a high sense of satisfaction to believers in Christ. In heaven, the streets of the city are pure gold and transparent as glass. Heaven has no need of the sun or moon to shine on it because the Lamb is its lamp; the gates are made of pearls and are perpetually open because there will be no night there. The city of heaven has the river of the water of life sparkling like crystals flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. On each side of the river is the tree of life which bears fruits twelve times a year. Heaven shall be a place of continual worship. The hosts of heaven, including the twenty-four elders, angels and the Redeemed of the Lord, worship Him that sits on the throne, who lived for ever and ever. There shall be no more death, grief, pain, or crying. Nothing under God’s curse will be found in heaven.
Divine health has been fully provided for in heaven for all who enter therein (1 Peter 1:4; Rev. 22:2). In Rev. 22:2, we find the leaves of the tree of life available for the healing of the nations.
Q3b. IS THERE ANY SACRIFICE THAT IS TOO GREAT TO MAKE FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? Matt. 13:44-46; 19:21
The sacrifice made by the individuals in each of the above parables, given by the Lord Jesus Christ, on the kingdom of Heaven serves as a challenge to the believers today.
The man who discovered the treasure in the field stumbled upon it by accident (because it was hidden) but knew its value when he found it; he was joyful, sold all that he has and bought the field.
The merchant-man was earnestly searching for the pearl of great value/ price, and, when he found it, sold everything he had to purchase it.
Thus, the kingdom of heaven is more valuable that anything else we can have, and the believer must be willing to give up everything to obtain it. There is no sacrifice too great to make for it.
Q4. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CHRISTIAN AFTER DEATH?
2 Cor. 5:2, 8-9; Phil. 1:21-23
A Christian does not really die, but falls asleep to begin his/her eternal life in the heavens with the Lord and His Son, Jesus Christ. The moment we fall asleep here on earth, a new body (tabernacle) will be given to us with which to dwell in heaven. We belong to the Lord even after death, that is why we must labor to be accepted in Christ. The earnest expectation of believers is to be absent from the body and be present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8). It is far better to be with Christ in heaven than remain here on earth.
Q5. WHAT WILL CHARACTERIZE THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER IN HEAVEN, HIS ULTIMATE HOME?
1 Cor. 13:12; 1 John 3:2; Rev. 7:9-15, 14:13, 21:4, 27, 22:3-4
The believer’s life in heaven, his ultimate home, will be characterized by a blissful joyful experience. In heaven, all doubts, fears, disappointments, weaknesses, etc. shall be dissolved. Our eyes of understanding shall be fully enlightened, for we shall see Him, the Son of God face to face (1 Cor. 13:12). Furthermore, we shall be like Him and see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). Heaven shall be a place of the gathering of a great multitude of saints from all nations, kindred, people and race, tribes, tongues/ languages, and they will be clothed with white robes (Rev. 7:9). Songs of the redeemed shall be sung by all who overcame the tribulations of the world (Rev. 7:10). Our ultimate responsibility in heaven is to serve, worship, and praise Him. we shall be refreshed in His presence. We shall be fed, led to the living fountains of waters and all our tears shall be wiped away by our Father who sits upon the throne of majesty. The Godhead shall dwell among the saints in heaven. We will parade or show forth the results of our labors and then go into eternal rest from all our labors (Rev. 14:13).
There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things shall have passed away (Rev. 21:4). In heaven, only those whose names are written in the book of life will have entrance into it, while all defilements, abominations, and wickedness of all sorts and magnitude shall be vanquished and banished from God’s presence (heaven). In Rev. 22:3-4, the Bible declared “And there shall be no more curse: by the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it and His servants shall serve Him. And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads” (Rev. 22:3-4).
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Heaven is a glorious and delightful place. The goal of every Christian should be to make heaven. Such a Christian who has heaven in mind must be ready to shun all forms of ungodliness and wickedness and take a stand for Christ in all situations, even in the face of death which cannot separate us from the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Heaven is a priceless home which we all must strive to enter by keeping the hope alive in us.
Our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await the Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. Are you ready and prepared for the great event? Maranatha!
MEMORY VERSE
1 John 3:3
“And every man that hath his hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” (KJV)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Heaven is real.
John 14:1-3
TUES: Heaven, a prepared place for a prepared people.
John 3:3-9
WED: A Christian never dies but falls asleep for a while.
1 Thess. 4:13-18
THU: In heaven, we shall know all things in full.
1 Cor. 13:12
FRI: Eternal rest for all our labors for the Lord. Rev. 14:13
SAT: We shall see Him face to face. Rev. 22:3-5