Part 2

Heaven 3

1. We will not be angels in heaven.

• They are a different created order. (Psa. 148:1,2).

• We are not angels now, and we will not be angels in heaven.

• We are separated from the angels.

2. We will be like them in the respect that we will not subject to death. (Matt. 22:30; Lk. 20:34-36).

1. We will praise God. (Rev. 7:9,10).

2. We will serve God. (Rev. 22:3,4).

• How we will serve God is not specified.

• We can be sure it will be challenging work.

3. We will rest. (Heb. 4:9-11; Rev. 14:13).

• The word "rest" does not mean cessation of all activity.

• God "rested" from His creative work. (Gen. 2:1-4).

• This did not mean God was tired and ceased all activity.

• The Almighty God cannot become tired.

• It means God ceased His creative work.

• God has always been active. (Jno. 5:17).

1. The answer is "no."

• The body is corruptible. (1 Cor. 15:50-52).

• It is not adapted for a perpetual place like heaven.

• Who would want to live in this old physical body forever?

2. Our bodies in heaven will not be fleshly. (1 Cor. 15:50; Phil. 3:20,21; 2 Cor. 4:26-5:3).

3. Paul makes clear our bodies will be changed. (1 Cor.15:49-57).

4. The fact we will have spiritual bodies does not mean we will not the same persons.

• We change in this world, but we are still the same persons.

• If we will not be the same persons, there would be no punishment or reward.

• Some new person or identity would be blessed or punished for us.

1. Some think most of the righteous will be on earth, and only a 144,000 will go to heaven. (Rev.7:4; 14:1,3).

• This is a figurative passage.

• They are celibate males. (Rev. 14:4).

• They are sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel. (Rev.7:4).

• A literal interpretation excludes females from heaven and all Gentiles from heaven.

• The 144,000 does not represent all the saved. (Rev. 7:9).

2. This is false doctrine.

• We are "pilgrims" (strangers) on earth. (1 Pet. 1:1; 2:11).

• "Our citizenship is in heaven." (Phil. 3:20).

• This earth will be destroyed. (2 Pet. 3:10).

• Heaven is promised "to him that overcomes." (Rev. 2:7; 3:21).

• Heaven is promised to those who have their names "written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev. 21:27).

3. Some object by saying "the meek" shall "inherit the earth." (Matt. 5:5; Psa. 37:11).

• "The meek" are "pure in heart" and "they shall see God." (Matt. 5:8).

• "The meek" are persecuted and those persecuted "for righteousness sake" will be in heaven. (Matt. 5:10-12).

• "The meek" enjoy great blessings on the earth. (Mk. 10:29,30).

1. The parable of the laborers in the vineyard cast some doubt there will be degrees of reward. (Matt. 20:1-16).

• Those who obeyed the eleventh hour received exactly the same amount of wages as those who came in at the first hour.

• It is certain that all receive the same wages - heaven.

2. It is not certain that all will enjoy heaven just alike.

• Some Christians enjoy worship and service more than other Christians here.

• The fact we do not all enjoy worship and service exactly alike here may suggest there could be degrees of enjoyment in heaven.

• Some in heaven will have great joy because their converts will be there.

• Others will be in heaven, but some or all of their converts will, like wood, hay or stubble, perish from apostasy. (1 Cor. 3:15).

• "He shall suffer loss."

• "But he himself shall be saved."

• Jesus taught there is "a prophet's reward," and there is a "righteous man's reward." (Matt. 10:41).

• These rewards differ from each other.

• They also differ from all other rewards.

• If there is not distinction is rewards, the passage is without significance.

3. It appears certain that there are degrees of punishment. (Lk. 12:47,48; Heb. 10:29).

1. This is assumed by most, but the scriptures do not teach it.

2. This would make us omniscient, and this is a characteristic of Deity.

3. Without question our knowledge will grow in heaven (when faith becomes sight), but we will never know everything.

4. Some think 1 Corinthians 13:12 is teaching we will know everything in heaven.

• This chapter is not talking about heaven, but about spiritual gifts.

• At the time Paul wrote all of God's word had not been revealed.

• It was being revealed bit by bit.

• It was revealed over about a 63 year period.

• The last book of the New Testament was written about 96 AD..

• Once all of God's revelation had been revealed their partial knowledge of God's Word would be superseded by God's complete revelation.

• It has reference to God's will for man on earth.

• It is not talking about omniscience.

1. The Bible gives an affirmative answer to this question. (Matt. 25:46; Jno. 3:16; Tit. 1:2; Rev. 22:5).

2. Some contend "eternal" sometimes has a limited meaning.

• This is true. (Phile. 15).

• There is no evidence "eternal" means less than infinite period of time.

• If it could be proven heaven is not unlimited in duration (which it cannot), this would not make heaven less desirable.

1. Heaven is for those who accept Christ. (Jno.14:6; 3:36; Heb. 5:9).

2. Those who lived faithfully before Christ will be saved.

• The animal sacrifices did not atone for their sins. (Heb. 10:4,5).

• Their sins were covered by the blood of Jesus. (Heb. 9:15-17).

• Heaven is the place for the "spirits of just men made perfect." (Heb. 12:22).

3. Infants, young children, and other unaccountable people will be there.

• God does not punish the unaccountable.

• Jesus taught we must become like little children to enter heaven. (Matt. 18:1-4).

• Jesus taught heaven is for those like little children. (Mk. 19:13,14).