Title: Heaven (1)
Contents
The fetus before childbirth does not know that this world exists or has never seen it, so they know that the mother's womb is everything. Nevertheless, it is clear that the wide world is ready. Just as all people in this world are born and live in this world that they have not seen through childbirth, we must go to the other world that we have not seen through death and live again. Just as there are happy people and unhappy people in this world, there are people who enjoy the happiness of heaven and people who suffer from the misery of hell. In other words, after death, we will always be divided into heaven and hell.
As mentioned in Matthew 25:41, Hell is ① a place prepared for the devil and his angels ② a place where everlasting fire burns (Gehenna) ③ a place where the cursed go.
So what kind of place is heaven?
1) Heaven is where Jesus is.
Acts 1:11 "This Jesus, who was taken up into heaven..." Heaven is the place where you can always see Jesus. There is the glory of the Lord, there is Hanyang offered to the Lord, and there is only thanks and joy. In Acts 7:55, the moment Stephen was martyred, he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
2) Heaven is our dwelling place.
John 14:2 says, "In my Father's house are many dwelling places... If I prepare a place for you, I will receive you, that where I am, there you may be." I did.
In 1 Peter 1:4, it says, “to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, which is reserved for you in heaven.” The dwelling place prepared in heaven is an eternal house that cannot be compared with the house of the world and cannot be replaced. Life is a sojourner in the tent house of the flesh, and the day you take off the tent of the body, you go to the eternal house. That place is heaven for believers and hell for unbelievers.
Therefore, there is no greater blessing for those living in this world than to believe in Jesus and be saved and go to heaven. Also, as Christians who are saved, we are thrilled to be saved and guaranteed to be citizens of heaven, and living for the glory of God is the greatest blessing.
3) Heaven is a place where you live with consciousness.
If we look at the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19 and below, we can see that they have a clear consciousness even after death through their conversation after death. Therefore, we Christians need to understand death rightly.
①Death is sleep. 2 Thessalonians 4:16 says, "The dead in Christ rise first... we who are alive and remain..." Therefore, when our loved ones die, they are not the end, but they wake up after a while for a new beginning.
②Death is leaving. In 2 Corinthians 5:8 it says, “We are of great courage and desire, that we should rather depart from the body and remain with the Lord.” 2 Timothy 4:6 says, “The time of my departure is near.” Death is going to the Lord who has left this world. Therefore, death is not a sorrow for the saints, but a hope and a joy.
③Death is beneficial. Philippians 1:21 says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” If the saints have lived for Christ, all good things are in store for them after they die. Therefore, Christian death is beneficial because it is moving to a better place.
4) Heaven is one city, country, and castle.
The place is so great that it cannot be measured. How can a person who cannot measure the universe measure heaven? And there are only good things there. This world is full of sin, sickness, hatred, enemies, murder, suffering, death, parting, evil deeds, immorality, and pollution. But there are no such things in heaven.
In today's text, in heaven
① There is light. Revelation 21:11 says, "It shone, and the light of the city was like a most precious gem, clear as jasper and crystal." It says, "Jesus Christ, the Lamb, himself became its light."
② There is a large and high fortress. Revelation 21:12 says that there are 12 angels at the 12 gates, and they are built with jasper.
③ There are all kinds of precious gems. All kinds of jewels are listed in Revelation 21:18-21.
There is a golden road. Revelation 21:21 "The road was made of pure gold like clear glass." I did.
Heaven is the place where all sicknesses will go away, you will be healed, and you will be transformed into the most beautiful form as you say today. We hope to see you all in this wonderful heaven.
Hallelujah!