What The Bible Says About Heaven Series

5-13-03

Title: What the Bible Says About Heaven

Text: “In my Father’s house are many mansions…” (John 14:2)

Scripture Reading: Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-5

Introduction

All believers look forward to spending eternity in heaven. It’s natural then for us to have a curiosity about what heaven is like. Understandably, the scriptures are highly symbolic in their description of heaven. This is true because the Bible must use “earthly” words to describe a celestial place. Most of what the Bible says about heaven must be recognized in its symbolic and figurative setting. The writers under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit were simply using the most expressive language at their disposal to portray heaven. Some concentrated on those characteristics of heaven that parallel the material and physical nature of earth, such as the “streets of gold,” “walls of jasper”, and “gates of pearl.”

Heaven is a real place where spirit beings dwell; material things are of no significance there. Thus, the purpose of this study is to emphasize the spiritual nature of heaven and not necessarily its “physical” properties. We are going to use a lot of scripture today, because we want to know what the Bible can tell us about heaven.

The first passage is Revelation 21:1-4: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 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.”

Next, I want to read Revelation 22:1-5: “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but 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. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

There are three things about heaven that I want you to see.

First: The inhabitants of heaven.

Second: Things that will not be in heaven.

Third: The Characteristics of heaven.

Our study will give us a preview of heaven. We may be lead to desire our heavenly home when we realize it is far better than anything that can be experienced in this life.

Let’s begin our study with the INHABITANTS OF HEAVEN.

God is there.

The Bible says, “And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive” (1 Kings 8:30). This was King Solomon’s prayer for the Temple. He prayed that God, from His dwelling place in heaven, would always keep his eyes turned toward this place of worship and prayer.

Christ is there.

The Bible says, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us…For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:12, 24). Christ, our High Priest has entered “the greater and more perfect tabernacle” that is in heaven. He went into the presence of God, the Most Holy Place, and He offered His own blood. He purchased our eternal redemption with His own blood. He has gone to heaven, not only to enjoy the rest and receive the honor due to him, but to appear in the presence of God for us, to present our persons and our performances, to answer and rebuke our adversary and accuser-the devil, to secure our place in heaven, to help us when we need help, and to prepare a place for us.