THE REALITY OF LIFE AFTER DEATH.
The Bible teaches that life continues after the physical death of the body. God created man with a natural, temporal body and an eternal soul. The soul of man consists of who we really are. It is the center of our mind, will and emotions. The Bible teaches that life is eternal.1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that He has promised us; eternal life. 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed,we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. When Jesus returns at His "Second Coming" all those who have died in Christ will be raised from the dead and then we who are alive will meet Him in the air.
From that time on we spend1000 years with Christ on the earth and then at the end of the 1000 years we rule and reign with Him throughout eternity. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:20-25, 51-55 &Revelation 20:1-4, 21:1-4).
WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE?
The Bible refers to Heaven as being above the world, in that God looks down upon the earth and that when Jesus left this earth he was received "up into Heaven".Deuteronomy 26:15`Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as You swore to our fathers, "a land flowing with milk and honey." ' Mark 16:19So then,after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Heaven will be a place of light, love, holiness, righteousness, worship, service, joy, peace and life eternally because Jesus the Redeemer will be there.
The New Jerusalem will be the new capitol of the universe and the place where the redeemed gather for worship and service.There will be no darkness, hate, sin, unrighteousness, sorrow, discord or death there. Without these things, it will be heaven indeed. What a wonderful and worthy reward of the God who redeemed us!
- It Is A Place of No More Thirst, Hunger, Sorrow, Pain Or Death.
Revelation 21:4
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 7:16-17
" They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;"for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
- Heaven Is A Place Where Nothing Can Be Corrupted.
Matthew 6:20"but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Revelation 21:27
But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
- Heaven Is A Place Of Pleasures Forevermore.
Psalms 16:11
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
It Will Be A Place Of Worship.
Revelation 15:4
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested."Heaven Will Be A Place Of Constant Illumination.
Revelation 21:23
And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light. Heaven is clearly described in the Bible as an actual place. It is not a feeling or a state of mind. When people refer to Heaven as being on earth they are partially correct in that we can experience a personal relationship with God while we are still alive.This is experiencing some of what is in store for those who will go to Heaven when they die.