We have made note of the fact that God isn’t through with heaven. When a child of God dies, they pass into the immediate presence of our Lord and do go to heaven. But the heaven they go to is an intermediate heaven. Upon the return of our Lord, He will establish a new heaven and a new earth - the eternal heaven. But until then, the saints who pass from this life into the next, dwell in the intermediate heaven.
Let’s think about life today for God’s people in the intermediate heaven. We can learn a great deal about life in heaven today from these three verses. Believers in Heaven today:
1. Maintain the identity they had on earth - v.9
Their personal history extended back to their lives on earth. They were known and identified as ones slain because of their testimony. They were fully conscious, rational, aware of each other and God.
Those in heaven today are not different people, they are the same people relocated. Your grand-parents are still your grand-parents. Your father is still your father. Your mother is still your mother. Your brother and sister are still your brother and sister. Your friend is still your friend. When you see any of your loved ones in heaven, you will know them to be who they were to you while you were alive on earth.
2. Are aware of God’s activity on earth - v. 10
They asked God to intervene on earth and to act on their behalf. They were fully aware of what was going on earth. They knew those who had taken their lives had yet to be judged for their unrighteous deeds.
The writer of Hebrews says the saints in heaven today are aware of God’s activity in the earth. Referring to the saints who are now in heaven, he tells us to remain faithful, since “we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1).
Believers in heaven are aware of God’s activity with respect to judging unrighteousness and establishing righteousness in the earth. In fact, they are passionately concerned about seeing righteousness prevail! They do not have a passive disinterest in what happens on earth; but they share God’s passion for seeing His enemies judged, sin and Satan defeated, the fallen earth restored, and Christ exalted over all.
A ninety-five year old woman at a nursing home received a visit from a fellow church member. “How are you feeling?” they asked. “I’m worried sick!” she said. “Why?” her friend asked, “They are taking care of you, aren’t they?” “Yes, they are.” “Are you in any pain?” she asked. “Never had a pain in my life.” “Well, what’s the problem?” her friend asked again. The lady explained her major worry. “Every close friend I ever had has already died and gone to heaven. I’m afraid they’re all wondering where I went.”
Don’t worry, the saints in heaven are aware of God’s activity on earth!
3. Have memory of their life on earth - v. 10
They remembered their suffering on earth, so why not everything else? There is no reason to assume believers in heaven have their memories of earthy life deleted. In fact, as they think back now, they can see how God and angels intervened on their behalf when they didn’t realize it.
Luke 16:25 says those who knew bad things on earth are comforted in heaven. This implies memory of even the bad things. If we don’t remember them, what is the purpose of the comfort we will receive concerning them? Going to heaven does not erase our memory.
Many say those in Heaven can’t be aware of earthly activity nor have earthly memory because they’d be unhappy, which would make heaven less than heaven. But angels know what’s happening on earth, and enjoy Heaven. Revelation 14:10 says the angels of heaven are aware of the suffering of those in Hell, yet their joy is not diminished!
How is this possible? It is possible because the glorious presence of God in Heaven overshadows all! Those in heaven are not ignorant of earthly reality, but are more aware than ever of God’s glorious presence, which is the true source of joy in Heaven. Because they dwell in the presence of Jesus, the saints in Heaven are filled with joy, regardless of what has or is happening on earth.
4. Are still learning like they did on earth - v. 11
When Jesus returns, believers who are still alive on the earth will instantly be made spiritually mature, like Christ.
“Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, or we shall see Him just as He [really] is.” - 1 John 3:2 (Amplified)
The saints who pass away prior to Christ’s return become spiritually mature the instant they enter the Lord’s presence, for Heaven today, they see Him as He really is. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, Paul literally tells us that to be absent from the body is to be “face to face” with the Lord.
Spiritual maturity is all about learning how to live free from the power of sin. Since this is so, and since sin cannot dwell in the presence of our Lord, we know every believer in Heaven today is spiritually mature. But that doesn’t mean the saints in Heaven know everything. Only God is all-knowing. But, we will be capable of understanding things more thoroughly than ever possible in this sin-infected life on earth.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” - 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
These martyrs did not understand God’s timing. They asked questions. They were still learning, and so are all the saints in heaven. God’s universe is so big that we will be learning through-out eternity. This is part of God’s purpose in saving us, as Paul explains it. He saved us:
“in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” - Ephesians 2:7 (NIV)
5. Maintain the individuality they had on earth - v. 11
We are told, “each of them was given a white robe” (v. 11) There isn’t one merged identity that obliterates uniqueness, no passing into some state of “nirvana,” but there is a distinct “each of them.” God created us all to be unique. That will not be done away in Heaven. Individually and collectively, we will know the joys of Heaven.
6. Have been made completely clean - v. 11
The martyrs were given “white robes.” A temporary spiritual body until the day of the resurrection. White speak of purity. Never again will they ever have to concern themselves with falling prey to sin’s power. Forever they will be free from the power and presence of sin.
Just think! Never again to battle temptation! Never again to have to confess sin! Never again having to apologize! Life totally free from the power of sin is part of the reason there is nothing but absolute joy in heaven today. And it is from Heaven that they look forward to when Christ will return and make all things new. This is what these martyrs, along with the rest of the saints in heaven, are waiting for today.
Conclusion: The believers in Heaven know absolute freedom from the power and presence of sin. And one day, when Christ returns, what is now true of heaven will be true on earth.
But before anyone can know freedom from the power and presence of sin, he must first be freed from the penalty of sin. This happens when we trust Christ as our Savior. Have you accepted Christ?
We note that John saw these souls “under the altar.” “The altar he speaks of is the altar of sacrifice. You see, the earthly tabernacle was patterned after the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 8:5). The altar of sacrifice stood in the court of the tabernacle just inside the entrance. It was the means of access into the tabernacle complex. It stood for Christ, our sacrifice and access into God’s presence. These that John speaks of here are saints entering heaven, and they do so by means of the sacrifice of Christ! The entrance to Heaven is found by passing beneath the altar of sacrifice!
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” - C. S. Lewis
The reason you find no satisfaction in this world is that God is calling you to be part of a better one, a heavenly one. Give your life to Christ.
Christian, this world is not your home. Commit to allowing the Lord of Heaven to be the Lord of your heart.
“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.” - C.S. Lewis
When believers enter Heaven, they are greeted by Jesus (v. 10). How will He greet you?
