Heaven

Heaven

INTRODUCTION Notes taken from D. L. Moody (MP No. 5) and others.

Carpenter Kao (Panhsien West China), "The Buddhists talk a lot about hell because they are going there; we talk a lot about heaven because we are going there. "

D. L. Moody’s favourite sermon subject was "Heaven."

"We are nearer heaven tonight than we have ever been before in our lives."

Story: A man kept shouting "Amen" during the sermon. A visiting preacher was coming and someone offered him a pair of boots if he would keep quiet during the sermon. He accepted the proposal. The preacher spoke on heaven and all its wonders and finally the man, unable to contain himself any longer shouted, "Boots or no boots, I must shout, Amen, Hallelujah."

It was created by God in the beginning. Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." When or how long ago is a mystery hidden from man.

Heaven will abide forever. 2 Corinthians 5:1, "... an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. "

Heaven is a prepared place (John 14:2), for a prepared people.

Heaven is the home of the Lord God. Matthew 6:9, "Our Father which art in heaven. . .0

1 Corinthians 12:2 speaks of a man caught up to the third heaven. The first heaven is the area where birds fly. The second heaven is where sputniks go. The third heaven is the home ox throne of the Lord God.

Heaven is a building. 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. "

Heaven is a building of God. It is not man-made. 2 Corinthians 5:1.

Heaven is called a garner. Matthew 3:12, "... gather His wheat into the garner." This occurs at the division of the wheat (good going to heaven) and the chaff being burned.

Heaven is called the kingdom of God and of Christ. Ephesians 5:5, "... hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. "

Heaven is called the Father’s House. John 14:2, "In My Father’s house..." Heaven is called a place of rest. Hebrews 4:9, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."

Heaven is called paradise. 2 Corinthians 12:4, "And I knew such a man. . . caught up into paradise. "

It is immeasurable. Jeremiah 31:37, "Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured. . ." Revelation 21:1, "And I saw a new heaven anti a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. "

Some have erroneously considered the new Jerusalem of this chapter as heaven. The new Jerusalem is of equal length, width and height. That is, 12,000 furlongs.

Someone (I believe Bob Ripley) figured the cubical contents at being capable of holding 49,679,308,800,000,000,000 (49 1/2 pentillion) people. But that does not allow space for trees and the river of life. From creation to 1928, 302 hexillion people born. (302,231,454,903,657,293,676,543) From creation to the present is about 77 generations (42 before Christ and 35 after).

If these were all alive they would cover the earth to a depth of 113,326 miles.

There were enough people born between Christ and Columbus to fill the New Jerusalem. Mr. Ripley says that if this is heaven, you had better get your reservation in early!

However, I’m sure that this is not heaven, for the New Jerusalem comes out "from" heaven, but is not heaven itself, Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:10. But heaven is for the limited few who are holy and pure and the mansions are definitely limited so it is very wise to book a mansion this very day.

Heaven is a high place. Isaiah 57:15, "I dwell in the high and holy place."

Heaven is a holy place. Psalms 20:6, "He will hear him from His holy heaven."

Heaven is a happy place. Revelation 7:17, "God shall wipe away all tears." Heaven is a place without death, tears, sorrow, crying or pain. Revelation 21:4, o. . . 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."

Heaven is a place without night or darkness. Revelation 22:3-5, "... and there shall be no night there. . . neither light of the sun: for the Lord God giveth them light. . ."

Heaven is a place without hunger, thirst, excessive heat. Revelation 7:16, "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. "

Neither will it be too cold like North China or Canada.

Notes taken from H. W. Peeler, Millar Memorial Bible Institute.

CONCLUSION Do you want to go to heaven? Have you prepared? Heaven is for prepared people. An unbeliever would find it very uncomfortable in heaven because of its holiness.

Story: A king gave to his clown a walking stick in honour of his being the best clown, the biggest fool. It was to be given to one who was a greater fool only. One day the king was dying and the clown came to visit him. The clown asked him what preparations he had made for going to heaven? "None." Then solemnly the clown gave the king the walking stick remarking, "You are the greatest fool. "

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