SCRIPTUTURE REFERENCES
(Matthew 6:19-20) 19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
(Luke 10:20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
(2 Corinthians 5:1-2) [1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
(Hebrews 11:13-16) [13] These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. [14] For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. [15] And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had the opportunity to have returned. [16] But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
"PREFACE SUMMARY."
The Lord spoke in my spirit to change the name of this message to "The Splendors of Heaven." The word of God describes Heaven as a realm of everlasting joy and contentment, where suffering, sickness, sin, death, and sorrow are absent. The comforting promise of the absence of suffering and pain in Heaven brings a peace that surpasses all understanding, and the splendor of this celestial realm will far exceed any beauty we have encountered on Earth.
The word of God describes Heaven as a place where we will be immersed in a peace and tranquility that transcends our earthly imagination. In this place, we will never experience the agony of this world again. It is where those saved by accepting God’s plan of salvation will live and reside. It is a place that will be free from the curse of sin, a stark contrast to the trials and tribulations of our earthly existence.
In Heaven, those whom God has redeemed will experience the transformation of their physical bodies into glorified bodies, free from any physical impairments. This includes eradicating disabilities such as blindness, deafness, or lameness. The anticipation of this miraculous transformation in the heavenly realm, where God's comforting presence will end all sorrows and suffering, is a source of wonder and inspiration, wiping away every tear from our eyes and filling our hearts with peace.
While here confined in this earthly realm, we may not fully comprehend the beauty of heaven, but one day, we have the promise of seeing and experiencing all its splendors. Here, we may experience some sleepless nights concerned about the safety of our family members in a dangerous world. But in Heaven, all these worries will be replaced by an overwhelming sense of peace and security.
Imagine a moment when we are granted the privilege to witness the radiant rainbow encircling God's glorious throne. In that transcendent sight, all the tribulations and hardships we endured on Earth will dim and fade compared to Heaven's awe-inspiring perfection and splendor. It will be a profound moment of realization, filled with the certainty that we have successfully persevered and achieved our place in God’s Heaven.
"HEAVEN, OUR FUTURE HOME."
The promise of a place called Heaven, where the King sits on his throne and issues orders that govern the universe, evokes a sense of profound connection and hope. It is like the deep calling unto the deep, a concept that provides a hope so strong that it does not lead to disappointment, one that the Bible describes as a hope that maketh not ashamed.
Beloved, upon reaching God's Heaven, individuals will find themselves immersed in profound peace and liberated from the struggles and hardships of earthly existence. This sacred place the Bible calls heaven serves as a wellspring of deep comfort and unwavering strength. The promise of an eternal presence with God reinforces our resolve to persevere through life's varied challenges, inspiring us to navigate life's most daunting trials with enduring faith.
Heaven is described in the word of God as the saints' final dwelling place. The word also instructs us in (Matthew the sixth chapter and the twentieth verse to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. The word also informs us that it contains a register of the Saints.
In the word of God, there is an account of Stephen's stoning, where it is mentioned how he looked up to heaven and witnessed the presence of the Lord Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Similarly, the story of Jacob fleeing from his brother recounts a vivid dream in which he saw the Angels of God ascending and descending a ladder.
At the top of the ladder, he beheld the figure of the Lord God, who expressed to him that he was the God of his father, Abraham and Isaac.
In the biblical narrative, Jacob, having grown up hearing about the encounters between God and his forefathers Abraham and Isaac, experienced a profound, life-changing encounter with God himself. This encounter marked a significant turning point in Jacob's life. In the New Testament, specifically in John 1:51, Jesus emphatically declares that he is the gateway to heaven, underscoring the pivotal role of faith in him for spiritual salvation and access to the divine. The same God that came to show us the way to God’s heaven became the way.
In summary, these teachings in the scriptures assure us that when we reach heaven, we will not exist as ghostly beings without consciousness or knowing one another. The word tells us that it doeth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
(1 Corinthians 13:12) “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” This scripture provides a beautiful analogy to illustrate the limitations of our current understanding concerning things of the spirit.
In the ancient world, mirrors were crafted from polished metal, which resulted in unclear and somewhat distorted reflections. Our perception of Jesus and spiritual truths is currently obscured here in this life, much like looking into a dim and unclear mirror. Paul is speaking of a soon-coming day when we shall see our Lord face to face without any distortion.
"THE CATERPILLAR KNOWS HIS CHANGE IS COMING."
Heaven holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. I yearn to be reunited with my departed loved ones, including my mentors and preacher friends. Being with those I miss so dearly fills my heart with a longing that can not be described in mere words. I tell you that I eagerly await the opportunity to walk alongside the great men and women of God who have graced the earth in centuries past.
Beloved, imagine strolling on streets paved with gold, catching a glimpse of the magnificent pearly gates, and witnessing the Angelic beings ceaselessly worshiping around the throne of God. But amidst all this beauty, the thought of being in the unrestrained and unrestricted presence of our Lord, knowing him as he intimately knows me, truly makes Heaven "Heaven to me."
Let's imagine two caterpillars conversing to understand the process we go through on Earth in preparation for our heavenly home. One of them, a philosopher, tells the other that one day, he will have wings and be able to fly across the fence and land in the flowers on the other side.
Looking around for predators, the other caterpillar shakes his head and reminds his friend that he is earthbound and must seek hiding places to escape their enemies. He encourages him to keep dreaming but warns him not to dream too hard or he will end up in a bird's stomach.
As winter sets in and spring comes, something incredible happens. The philosopher had prepared a cocoon to protect himself from the winter, but the cocoon shows movement. As the sun warms the earth, and after a hard struggle, the philosopher emerges as a beautiful monarch butterfly from the cocoon. After drying its wings, the butterfly takes to the air and flies over the fence to feed from the flowers on the other side.
MY CONCLUSION
Beloved, according to medical doctors, a study published in the journal Genome Research suggests that while individual cells may have a lifespan, our human DNA does not undergo significant aging past the age of 33. This finding has sparked new avenues of research into the mechanisms and implications of cellular aging, providing hope for potential breakthroughs in understanding and treating age-related diseases. Imagine the possibility that when we receive our glorified bodies, we will look as we did at thirty-three years old.
In some cases, our loved ones may have endured bed sores while being confined to a hospital or nursing home. For some, the idea of passing away may be a comforting thought, as it would end their suffering and take them to heaven. Others may have lost a limb, but when the Angels carry them to God's city, they will have a perfect, glorified body that is free from blemishes and one that shows no signs of decay.
Our dear departed ones will be whole again in that beautiful land, not missing any body parts. They will joyfully reunite with their loved ones who have passed on before them in the land known as Beulah. And oh, what an extraordinary reunion that will be! Perhaps they will be singing that beloved old song, "What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon his face, the one who saved me by his grace. When he takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land, what a glorious day that will be."
I wish to close this message by leaving everyone my forwarding address. You might say, "What are you talking about?" Back in Tennessee, I loved to plant flower gardens, and I loved to plant vegetable gardens, and if you came for a visit, you would find everything the way I kept it, and I tell you, although I was a truck driver, you would not find a weed in my garden.
Since March 2022, I have been living and conducting monthly revivals throughout the Philippines. If you visited the place where I lived in Tennessee, you would not find my gardens or anything that looks like where I had lived, but if you enquired with my former neighbors and asked for my forwarding address, you can come to the Philippines and visit me.
Here, you will find me living well and healthy, and that is the promise we have from God that a day is coming when the Lord shall come for his saints. The dead in Christ shall rise first, and then those who are alive will be changed to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
I love that old gospel recording artist Marvin Morrow's song, Played in B-Flat- The song says, “Soon my time will come to depart this old body, I'll lay down this robe of flesh that I've worn, no longer be seen by my friends and loved ones, but I'll not be dead, just in my new home.”
“Oh, I'll never die; I'll move to that city, be happy, and dwell around God's great throne. Don’t weep for me when you walk by my casket, for I'll not be dead, just in my new home.”
I’m ready to go whenever God calls me; I do not fear the unknown; His promise is true, I've made preparations, and I'll not be dead just in my new home."
Oh, I'll never die; I'll move to that city, be happy, and dwell around God's great throne; Now, don’t weep for me when you walk by my casket, for I'll not be dead, just in my new home. Don’t weep for me when you walk by my casket, for I'll not be dead, just in my new home."
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
