Thinking about Heaven

The Book of Revelation ends with a picture of our heavenly home, and reminds us once again who will be in heaven and who will be excluded. You will not be able to enter heaven illegally. Everyone who enters does so by invitation only, and will have to meet the criteria for citizenship. There is no shortcut or break in the fence where you can sneak in without permission.

QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR ENTERING HEAVEN?

Repent of sin; desire to follow Jesus; by faith accept the righteousness of Jesus. He does the rest.

Mark 16:15-16 – And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.

Rom 4:10 – Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith.

Rom 3:30 – There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

John 14:6 – I am Way and Truth and Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

John 10:9 – Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.

1 Cor 1:30 – God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

1 John 5:11-12 – And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

Rev 22:14-17 – Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15 Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

IMAGINE WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE TO LIVE IN HEAVEN!

The Day-Star (1846) – Then Jesus’ silver trumpet sounded, as he descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of the sleeping saints then raised his eyes and hands to heaven & cried out, Awake! Awake! Awake! ye that sleep in the dust, and arise. Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted, Hallelujah! as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. We all entered the cloud together, and were 7 days ascending to the sea of glass,

WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT ABOUT DAILY LIFE IN HEAVEN FROM WHAT WE ARE USED TO NOW? It is not an easy question to answer because we know so little about heaven and God’s messengers gave up trying to describe it:

1 Cor 2:9 – No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

 Early Writings 289 – Language is altogether too feeble to attempt a description of heaven. As the scene rises before me, I am lost in amazement. Carried away with the surpassing splendor and excellent glory, I lay down the pen, and exclaim, “Oh, what love! what wondrous love!” The most exalted language fails to describe the glory of heaven or the matchless depths of a Savior’s love.

Because we have so little information on the nature of heaven due to our inability to understand it, what we can do is imagine daily life in light of what we do know. Let’s look at just a few things that we do know will change from now:

NOT FOUND IN HEAVEN:

No sickness, sorrow, pain, or death. No hospitals, doctors, or drugs. No funeral homes or graveyards.

Heaven 141 – Oh, I long for Jesus to come. I long for that home in the kingdom of glory where there will be no sickness, no sorrow, no pain, no death.

Heaven 139 –In the home of the redeemed there will be no tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. “The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Isaiah 33:24. One rich tide of happiness will flow and deepen as eternity rolls on….

Maranatha 367 – The redeemed throng will range from world to world, and much of their time will be employed in searching out the mysteries of redemption.

Maranatha 368 – The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the city to a place that was bright and glorious.

Christian Experience and Teachings 63 And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the never-fading flowers.

No cars, trucks, trains, ships or airplanes. No highways full of traffic and congestion. Who would want to be confined to a vehicle, airplane or ship if you can fly through the universe with built in propulsion and wings?

No tiredness, frazzled nerves, stress, poor or homeless. No money. No alcohol or drugs. No jails or courts.

We read of no modern inventions in heaven, because none are needed. In fact, every modern invention we use today has been developed to counter some aspect of sin. God’s perfect world has everything we need or want.

GOD SUPPLIES:

Food – Mostly supplied and some grown.

Early Writings 289 – Upon the tree of life was most beautiful fruit, of which the saints could partake freely. In the city was a most glorious throne, from which proceeded a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal. On each side of this river was the tree of life, and on the banks of the river were other beautiful trees bearing fruit which was good for food.

Gen 1:29 – Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.

Counsels for the Church 221 – Upon leaving Eden to gain his livelihood by tilling the earth under the curse of sin, man received permission to eat also “the herb of the field.” Genesis 3:18.

Child Guidance 380 – In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God’s original plan for man’s diet. He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food…. Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator.

Houses and furniture supplied. Plants and flowers that never die.

Heaven 144 – In the earth made new the redeemed will engage in the occupations and pleasures that brought happiness to Adam and Eve in the beginning. The Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and field. “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

Adventist Home 546 – Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city. There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold. These were to be inhabited by the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here—no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God.

Animals all tame and vegetarian with no killing.

I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out, “They will never fade!” Next, I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green and had a reflection of silver and gold as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts—the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably after. Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here—no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees moved to and fro, and we all cried out, “We will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.”

Microscopes, telescopes – Built in to our eyes.

True Education 188 – Restored to God’s presence, the human race will again, as at the beginning, be taught of Him … There, when the veil that darkens our vision is removed, and our eyes see that world of beauty of which we now catch glimpses through the microscope; when we look on the glories of the heavens, now scanned afar through the telescope; when, the blight of sin removed, the whole earth shall appear in “the beauty of the Lord our God,” what a field will be open to our study! Students of science may read the records of creation and discern no reminders of the law of evil. They may listen to the music of nature’s voices and detect no note of wailing or undertone of sorrow.

Christian Experience and Teachings 64 – And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit.

Clothes and anything needed for personal care is supplied.

Music with instruments supplied. Everyone gifted to play. Everyone has a beautiful singing voice.

Maranatha 361 – There will be music there, and song, such music and song as, save in the visions of God, no mortal ear has heard or mind conceived. I have been shown the order, the perfect order, of heaven, and have been enraptured as I listened to the perfect music there. After coming out of vision, the singing here has sounded very harsh and discordant. I have seen companies of angels, who stood in a hollow square, everyone having a harp of gold. At the end of the harp was an instrument to turn to set the harp or change the tunes. Their fingers did not sweep over the strings carelessly, but they touched different strings to produce different sounds. There is one angel who always leads, who first touches the harp and strikes the note, then all join in the rich, perfect music of heaven. It cannot be described. It is melody, heavenly, divine, while from every countenance beams the image of Jesus, shining with glory unspeakable.

QUESTION: WHAT GROUPS ARE SPECIALLY HONORED IN HEAVEN?

Rev.7:13 – Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. 15 “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple.

Ellen White was given an expanded view of this heavenly scene:

The Great Controversy 665 – Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith. And beyond is the “great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, … before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Revelation 7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ which now is theirs.

Christian Experience and Teachings 63 – As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments.

Testimonies for the Church, vol 8, 196 – When the redeemed stand before God, precious souls will respond to their names who are there because of the faithful, patient efforts put forth in their behalf, the entreaties and earnest persuasions to flee to the Stronghold. Thus, those who in this world have been laborers together with God will receive their reward.

Review and Herald, October 10, 1907 – Those engaged in active service in the field, and those who give of their means to sustain these workers, will share the reward of the faithful. . . There will be a blessed commendation, a holy benediction, on the faithful winners of souls. They will join the rejoicing ones in heaven, who shout the harvest home.

Heaven 151 – Of every gift that God has bestowed, leading men to unselfish effort, a record is kept in heaven. To trace this in its wide-spreading lines, to look upon those who by our efforts have been uplifted and ennobled, to behold in their history the outworking of true principles—this will be one of the studies and rewards of the heavenly school.

Signs of the Times, September 16, 1886 – The white robes and jeweled crown given them by Christ as the reward for their unselfish efforts in the salvation of souls, will be more valuable than needless adornments. The stars in their crowns will shine forever and ever, and will a thousand times repay them for the self-denial and self-sacrifice they have exercised in the cause of God.

Heaven 151 – Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared [heavy] with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns.

Child Guidance 298 – The education begun here will not be completed in this life; it will be going forward through all eternity—ever progressing, never completed. Even if we do not lose our souls, we shall realize in eternity the result of our unused talents. For all the knowledge and ability that we might have gained and did not, there will be an eternal loss.

Battle Creek Letters 85 – The most spiritual-minded Christians are those who have the most advanced knowledge of the word. This life is the time in which we are to prepare for eternity.