HEAVEN

 HEAVEN, A Short Study,  Revelation, #7 of 7   “Worth Considering”   7/4/21     From Ken Smith<><

From the beginning of our new species with a freewill, as in Adam, 6,000 years ago we have seemed to know that there was something beyond the door of death.   For most of us it seems woven into our being from birth.  Of course we hear stories of what folks think it is.  When young I got the impression heaven was sitting on cloud 9 with a harp.  None of that was of any interest to me, it sounded rather boring.  But considering there are some 694 verses in the Holy Bible about Heaven,  there is certainly a lot of interest in the subject.  And as we get older, like me, we give it a bit more attention as our soul lives in a temporary body.  Bible teaches that the life is in the blood.  If the blood stops,  the soul leaves.

So in the beginning before the physical  heavens and the earth existed there was only GOD and HIS POWER.  Then it seems that HE decided to have a family and to covert just a bit of HIS power into a universe, and us,  a Universe which we get to see every night.   Especially sunsets make me stop and watch their unique beauty and I never tire of the joy of watching the heavens in the evening.  And then I reflect upon the love in my creation that allows my soul to see through my eyes the beauty and colors of that radiated energy.  None of which is necessary for my life.  It is a love gift from my Creator as Paul talks about in Romans 1:19-20

So let’s go to Job, the oldest book in our Bible,   for  understanding about where heaven is:  Job 26:7 “It is He who spreads out the north over emptiness.  And [a] hangs the earth on nothing. “ Job 37:22 .   “Out of the north comes golden splendor [and people can hardly look on it]; Around God is awesome splendor and majesty [far too glorious for man’s eyes].

Apostle Paul, mentions that he knew a man who was caught up into the 3rd Heaven in 1 Co. 12:1-5, “  It is necessary to boast, though nothing is gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a [a] man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—such a man was caught up to the [b] third heaven. 3 And I know that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—4 was caught up into [c] Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak [words too sacred to tell]. 5 On behalf of such a man [and his experiences] I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.  (And I really believe it was Paul.)  So Heaven has layers, at least 3?  Earths Air space,   Star universe,  & God’s Dwelling Place.

Apostle John had a similar experience in Rev. 4:1 “After this I looked, and behold, [a] a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a [war] trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 At once I was in [special communication with] the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. 3 And He who sat there appeared like [the crystalline sparkle of] [b] a jasper stone and [the fiery redness of] a sardius stone, and encircling the throne there was a rainbow that looked like [ the color of an] emerald. …”  Read chapters 4 & 5…. for a better look but remember they did not have our vocabulary words to use.

So lets get into what we can know.  tells us that it is a totally different dimension than the time dimension that we live in.  1 Cor.13:8-13, “ Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete]. 10 But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. 13 And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.

Heaven, what to expect, in Rev. 21:3-4, “and then I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “See! The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will live among them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them [b] [as their God,] 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the [c] former order of things has passed away.”  Should read Rev. 21 & 22.

And there will be a new heaven and a new earth and a building that Christ Jesus is building of about 1500 miles square at the base and 1500 miles high.  Could be a cube but I think a pyramid.  And it will be the gathering place for Christ Jesus and the Church for eternity.  Rev. 20:26-27: “and they will bring the glory (splendor, majesty) and the honor of the nations into it; 27 and nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices abominations [detestable, morally repugnant things] and lying, but only those [will be admitted] whose names have been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

So what will the Church be doing?   As Kings and Priests, Rev.1:6, 5:10, 20:6 and Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5:20.   Stewards over cities: Luke:19-17-19.   So as Jesus said,” John 14:1-3 “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”    So think about it, Perhaps we have been allowed to live in a world controlled by lucifer to make us spiritual strong in Jesus if we have made HIM LORD.  Those other dwelling places may have had no Jesus or lucifer.   Perhaps God want’s them to also know about HIM but without the big mess.   Perhaps we are in a school to bring us to the place of being the Rod of Iron in scripture to help share the love of our Great Creator to HIS other creations in the universe.  I sort of lean that way.  Who else could  best share the Love of God than those who have been saved by it. Those who have overcame lucifer by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony and loved Jesus more than their own lives. Rev.12 :11.      If you like this, please pass it along.