We live in an age given over to materialism. We live in a society which has crippled many people's attitude toward things of a spiritual nature. We need to be able to look beyond this present world and to things that are eternal. If we do this, we can avoid the influence of the world. This focus includes that of a real devotion to Heaven (Colossians 3:1,2; Philippians 3:20).
Do you believe in Heaven? This may seem to be a foolish question, yet some don't believe in or even think about it. Others say they believe in Heaven but fail to really consider it any further than just a passing thought. If we were to be asked this same question, would we be ready to give reasons as to why we do believe in Heaven? (1 Peter 3:15)
I can believe in Heaven because...
..of my faith in God's word.
The Bible holds out Heaven as the great ultimate hope for man (Matthew 5:12)..those I have trusted believed in Heaven.
Abraham (Hebrews 11:10)
David (Psalms 23:6)
Paul (2 Corinthians 5:1)
Peter (1 Peter 1:4)
Jesus (John 14:3)..it is reasonable.
It is unreasonable not to believe in Heaven. If on believes in God, would it not be unreasonable to deny that God has a dwelling place? Would it not be unreasonable to deny that God has a place reserved for His own?..God's mercy and grace demand it.
God's wonderful grace exists for more than this life only. If it was for this present life only, what would be the point?..man's soul demands it.
The soul is immortal. It must exist somewhere after it leaves our physical bodies. Though the body dies,the soul does not. Common sense demands that there be an eternal abode for the soul...I want to believe in Heaven.
Yes, we can simply want to believe in Heaven. This is a simple reason - but reason enough. Why is it "right" for some people to choose to not want to believe in Heaven, but wrong for me to want to believe in Heaven?Heaven is a place...
..of rest (Hebrews 4:9; Revelation 14:13)
Imagine a place where we never tire; a place where exhaustion is eliminated...of light (Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5)
What a marvelous place - a place which will never fade into darkness...with no tears, sorrow or pain (Revelation 21:4)
This is one of Heaven's wonderful surprises. Heaven is a place where nothing is there to cause heartache...of no second death (Revelation 20:6)
Hell has no power over those who have obeyed the gospel. They are spared a second death - that eternal death in Hell...of eternal fellowship with God (Revelation 7:14,15; Revelation 21:3)
Can we begin to imagine what eternal fellowship with God will be like? There is no way to describe what a joy and pleasure that will be. Fellowship with the creator of this universe is waiting to receive us in an indescribable city (Revelation 21:16-23).Arriving in Heaven will be no accident. Who will go there?
Those who obey God (Matthew 7:21; Acts 2:47)
Those who have been added to His church and are dedicated to it are bound for Heaven.Those who have their names written there (Revelation 21:27)
Your name can be there if you obey the gospel of Christ.Those who are faithful to God (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 3:21)
What is your ambition in this life? To have a nice home? To amass much wealth? To seek physical pleasure foremost? To gain popularity or prestige in the eyes of others? To be at the top of your profession with little regard for others? Or can you say that your greatest ambition in this life is to live in Heaven someday? Do you seek Heaven more than you seek anything else?
Colossians 3:1,2
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
2 Corinthians 5:1 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.
1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Revelation 7:14,15
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in theblood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Revelation 21:16-23
16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
