EPM Resource - Readers' Responses to Heaven

Readers' Responses to Heaven

God has used all of Randy Alcorn's books in a very powerful way to reach me and bring me back to Christ. Although I am a single mother and have very limited financial means, I want to help in any way I can. I am so thankful for how God used Randy Alcorn to reach me when I was as the bottom, and had some very difficult things occur in my as well as my daughter's lives.
    Our lives were nearly taken by my mother-in-law. It was most definitely the worst thing my daughter and I have ever gone through, and I still struggle with it, as it happened very recently. But through reading Randy Alcorn's books, fiction and non-fiction, God really spoke to me.
    Right now I am in the middle of Safely Home and Heaven. I have a strong thirst for God and His Word and I am so thankful for this ministry. My daughter and I were close to being brutally killed, yet by the grace of God, I know He has a plan for both of us.
    While reading Safely Home, as well as the Bible, I feel your wonderful ministry has turned me back towards God and His purpose for my life. - E. D.

I listened to the Heaven book on audio CD's. My new biblical theology of Heaven has stunned me to the point of speechless awe. I have only begun to pursue this joy and hope. Thank you. - E. K.

I just wanted to say how very much I am enjoying your book Heaven. My Dad died very suddenly last August and it rocked my world. I immediately gained a renewed interest in Heaven since I know he is there. Not only has this book been comforting by verifying the reality of Heaven but it has been hugely informative as well. I have been a pastor's wife for many, many years and I have to say that I am learning many things I didn't know before.
Thank you for all the work you put into this book. I have only started the full length version this week but it is really making a difference in my life. - S. T.

I have been making my way through a 7-week preaching series on Heaven at church. I came across your book Heaven last week and bought it. I just wanted to say that I am thoroughly enjoying it and to thank you for it.
I have been preaching on various aspects of the New Heavens/Earth from Rev 21-22 and supposedly each sermon speaks of an aspect that is better than the previous sermon. For example, my order has been Heaven on Earth, no suffering, no sin. Today, because of your book I entitled my sermon, "Heaven—It's Going to be Physical" and spoke about the fact that we will live forever on a physical resurrected Earth and forever in physical resurrected bodies. I basically emphasized the physicality of the New Heavens/Earth from 1 Corinthians 15, Romans 8, and Revelation 21:1-3.
I do not think I have seen people so encouraged following a sermon before. One lady actually turned to someone and said, "It makes you wonder why anyone would be afraid to die." People were so encouraged. So thank you for the help. - Pastor and Bible College teacher in Australia

I want to thank you for writing this wonderful book Heaven. I was so encouraged. Now my 17-year-old son has begun to read it, and can't put it down. As a pastor, I have presented such a vague perspective on eternity and Heaven. Your book has answered so many questions that I had and your careful study and presentation of Scripture is so appreciated. - J. N.

Thank you for the book Heaven! It has changed my life and I am almost through my second reading of Heaven! I may read it again just to stay refreshed! - E. A.

Heaven has changed my life. It will be the first Christian book I have read over and over. My work can become very depressing and it is just amazing how more meaningful my life has become through the power of this book. It clarifies my thinking about the life to come. Nothing I have ever read has so encouraged me in this difficult walk.
Scripture whose meaning seemed obscure now jumps off the page with important meaning. I just can't say enough about this book. The world would quickly become a very different place if every Christian read it. - C. G., Worker in full-time prolife ministry

A really good friend is dealing with prostate and liver cancer and recommended to me the book Heaven. After reading the first several chapters I was hooked and loved the book so much I finished it in less than 2 weeks. For me that's quite a feat! I've recommended Heaven to many others. - R. L.

I am a two-time cancer (lung & breast) survivor and the widow of a man who suffered from depression and turned to drugs. I have also buried two of my children (16 mos. and newborn) a month apart. I have no words to express my gratitude to you for writing Heaven. It turned my world upside down. I have found excitement buried deep within. I look at what we would call tragedies in my life and praise to our Lord overflows within me. I would not adore Him, praise Him, and desire to live for Him were it not for these events. I had nowhere to go but to Him. - A. G.

This has been the very first book to capture my attention about Christianity. It's also made me scared about the possibility of not being accepted into Heaven...especially when I thought nightly prayers were all that was needed. I'm very grateful that a fellow dog rescuer suggested I read this book. Thanks for writing it....you may have just saved my soul. - B. F.

The first time I ever heard anyone talk about Heaven was when I read your books. I was literally floored, my mind started racing with excitement, and it made my relationship with Jesus Christ even stronger then before. Then to top off the cake you wrote the book Heaven. My mind soured. You matched the Bible to what you wrote and everything made sense and came together. My life has never been the same since.
Heaven has changed my entire life and my witness. I recommend this book to everyone that I know, and it is a critical foundation for my witness to others. - W.C.

Your book on Heaven isn't just great; it's also very important. In fact, it may be the most important Christian book I have read in years. I must say I am acquiring vital insights on virtually every page. May God continue to bless your increasingly vital work.
- Gregg Cunningham, Executive Director, Center for Bioethical Reform

This is a great book on Heaven! It is very comprehensive and touches on many aspects I had never thought of before. It does get a little repetitive. Overall though, it has helped me to see that I was designed for Heaven, I put too much emphasis on this life, and I will never be completely satisfied until Heaven. - K. B.

This book encourages you to search deeper into scripture, and to understand more fully about Heaven and dismiss our own ideas we have created based on our wants and needs. Excellent reading. - K. M.

I enjoyed reading Heaven because it tells you what living in Heaven and the New Earth is going to be like someday. It answered a lot of questions I had about Heaven. If you are a Christian, it will really make you excited to go there. - P. V.

First the bad, though I don't think it amounts to much. I felt that Mr. Alcorn harped too much on the fact that Heaven and our resurrected bodies are physical rather than some sort of spirit-only, ghostly kind of thing. It has never occurred to me that they would be otherwise. From what Alcorn says, though, a lot of Christians don't believe this way. The scriptures describe things just as Alcorn says, but apparently, many Christians have insisted on taking the Biblical descriptions of Heaven metaphorically. The book gets a little dry at points as Alcorn goes into complex, in-depth proofs of points I had already accepted. I understand that Alcorn does have other books that aren't quite as scholarly.

The thing I liked most about this book was that it got me to thinking about Heaven. Ordinarily we get so wrapped up in life here on Earth as it is now that we don't give more than a passing thought to Heaven. We may think a lot about our ministries, or about how to become closer to God, or about working on our character flaws, but we seldom think of our reward.

Mr. Alcorn points out that it's okay forward to our reward. I think most of us have been taught that doing things for a reward rather than for pure altruism is bad. If you're a doctor, and you're only doing it for the money, then maybe it is bad. Or if you're a social worker who doesn't care about people, or a teacher who hates kids.

But Jesus does tell us to look forward to Heaven. I had previously overlooked this fact, but it's definitely there in scripture. It really is okay to do things with a mind toward pleasing God and receiving a reward from Him. God really wants us to look forward to Heaven and to work to be worthy of riches there.

Alcorn gets perhaps a little carried away on some of his imaginary scenarios of what Heaven might be like, but he does make it clear that he is just speculating, and I'm sure he had fun doing it. I've been dreaming up things myself, so I can't criticize him too much.

I think it's also important that we as Christians realize that the picture unchurched people have of Heaven isn't likely to be scriptural. Even Christians, apparently, often have a very unscriptural idea of Heaven, so how can we expect people of our secular times to automatically know what Heaven is like? All they know is what Hollywood has told them. We need to realize this and take it into account when sharing the love of Christ. It's hard to get excited about going to Hollywood's version of "Heaven."

I believe this book deserves a wide readership and, if it gets it, will be of genuine benefit to the church of Jesus. - R. G.

I have to confess, that I've read this book over and over because I want to be sure I didn't miss anything! If everyone on the planet read this book, it would definitely change the world we live in—without a doubt. We live in a fallen world, that we don't have control over and it's so wonderful and reassuring to realize this isn't all there is…we have so much to look forward to in Heaven. I have shared material in this book with my loved ones because I want them to be as excited about our eternal home as I have become. Thank you Randy Alcorn for a book that has changed my life! - V. E.

This extremely readable, interesting and informative book consists of three parts:

Part 1: A Theology of Heaven, covering what we can learn from Scripture, including the nature of Intermediate Heaven, the importance of the resurrection, the New Earth and Hell. (212 pages)

Part 2: Questions and Answers About Heaven, consisting of 120 questions and scripturally-based answers, even for the question "Will we drink coffee in Heaven?" (210 pages)

Part 3: Living in Light of Heaven, which focuses on what it all should mean to us now. (20 pages)

The book also has Notes, Selected Bibliography, Scripture Index and Subject Index (40 pages)

It succeeds in its mission of convincing the reader that Heaven is something to actually look forward to and prepare for. - P. B.

I never knew much about Heaven because no one really wants to discuss the subject. However, the closer you get to going there the more you want to know about it. This book should be a "must read" for every person and especially Christians who are curious about where he/she is going to spend the rest of their lives with Jesus. Since we consider Heaven our real home and this present Earth our temporary abode, we should be trying to find scriptures that relate to it. This book takes away any doubts and better yet any fears that one might have concerning where we go after we die, what we will be doing there, who we will see there, and whether we will be able to see what is going on at good old planet Earth while we are up there. Randy Alcorn has done an extremely competent work and brought out all the truths about Heaven. I can't thank him enough! - C. L.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I have ordered several copies for friends, and have been talking nonstop about it since I received it. I would highly recommend this book. - C. A.

Initially, this book bogs down a bit with quoting others' (C. S. Lewis, Jonathan Edwards, etc.) perspectives on Heaven, but it does correlate a great deal with the Bible. It also answers specific questions such as "What will I do in Heaven?" Most of us have never heard a sermon on Heaven, only that it is beyond our imagination. All that we know is that it is certainly better than the alternative. This book actually provides a glimpse (albeit somewhat speculative) of what we might experience. - V. J.

A well-researched, totally biblical view. Challenged my neo-platonism mind set and helped me see the realities after this life is over. - E. C.

This is a very in-depth book about what Heaven is like. It takes a while to get through the book, but with the use of Scripture, the author explains how to get to Heaven and what it will be like. This book pulled together and clearly answered many questions I had. I like the fact that it's mostly Scripturally-based. The author seldom uses just his opinions. - J. B.

I highly recommend this well-researched investigation of what the Bible has to say about Heaven. Much is extrapolation and conjecture, but the author's views are explained thoroughly. Very uplifting, even life-changing. - F. D.

Heaven is an amazing book. It fills in a lot of the blanks in our thoughts and assumptions about Heaven. It stirs the imagination and the desire to go there. I found nothing that contradicts Scripture and much that validates it. - N. P.

I wanted to let you know how eternally (no pun intended) grateful I am for your book on Heaven. It came at a very trying time in my life spiritually (our daughter with major medical issues—not being healed though we believed she would be).

Heaven has become as real as tomorrow to me. I know of some of the things that I'm looking forward to tomorrow—but I won't know all it will hold until it's the present. And of course tomorrow certainly won't be as glorious as Heaven (unless Jesus comes back tomorrow). Knowing more about Heaven has given me a clearer perspective and hope & joy in my daily life. I've since listened to John MacArthur's series on Heaven and his last tape has a number of reasons why we should set our hearts on Heaven—the ones that stuck me are to the effect that having our heart set on Heaven is evidence of true Salvation and that a heart set on Heaven will not stoop to vanity! - A. N.

I have just finished reading your encouraging book about Heaven. Though I have been a biblical preacher for more than fifty years, the insights you shared in the book were so new and insightful for me. Thanks for your faithfulness to God�s precious Word. Your closing appendix regarding accurate biblical interpretation was a special inspiration for my own mind and heart. - R. K., pastor in Wisconsin

I just had to write to you and let you know what an inspiring book Heaven was, and still is, to me. I enjoyed it so much, and was so tremendously blessed by it, that my wife and I got a copy for each family in my congregation. Our church will begin a study using your book, along with the study guides. Thank you for allowing God to use you in such a way as to help other pastors and their sheep to see Heaven in a much clearer way. I am looking forward to some wonderful and invigorating discussions on our future home. —Pastor B. C., New Hampshire

I bought the CD audio version of Heaven for my mother who is 87. She's been stumbling lately and fractured a vertebra on a recent fall which has taken a huge toll. I know she's thinking about Heaven when she thinks about the future. Her comprehension is greatly diminished of late and she reported the book was "heavy" and hard to understand, but as I go by her room she's playing it about 8 hours a day. She must be listening to it over and over.

Each day she reports something new that's she's excited about. "I always worried about whether your dad would know me when I get to Heaven. He will. He'll greet me." - W. L.

Randy's In Light of Eternity is a shorter version of his theological tome Heaven. Randy sent it to my husband the year before he died and his copy is a treasure to us because it's lined and underlined and highlighted. He literally devoured it over and over and over again.

I often send In Light of Eternity to friends and loved ones who are facing the ultimate graduation day with a note that it comforted my husband and I'm hoping it will do the same for them. - S. H.

My 70-year-old mother entered Heaven this last Easter. She had stage-four cancer for three years and had read Heaven before she died. I know that it brought her great comfort; it also brought hope to those of us in the family who also read it. (She bought copies for all of us.) - L. G.

My mother (age 92) was so excited after reading Heaven that she bought 25 and 30 copies to mail to all of her loved ones (son, grandchildren, nieces, etc.). I know she has read the book at least twice now, and is looking forward even more to "going home" when the Lord decides it is time.

I got the CDs for myself as well as the book. What a blessing for me and my mother. I highly recommend it to everyone. - R. G.

I have been devouring Heaven this summer, and will be teaching on this subject to my ladies' SS class (mostly elderly women). Our dear friends lost their 16-year-old daughter in June of this year and the book has been a help to them as well.

I think the beauty of this book lies in its positive message. So many books and ministers concentrate on the miserableness of the 'end times'—people hiding in caves, and seven years of grossness and death, and fire and brimstone and dead bodies lying around. So much so, that most of us are scared and don't want to think about it. This book changes all that. I wept when I read the first chapter. - H. L.

Thank you for writing Heaven. I was relying on God making every moment new so that praising Him would be constantly renewed. Now I can look forward to every moment being exciting and the praises spontaneously reflecting my joy. - D. W.

I told my barber about your book Heaven. She bought it, read it, and rededicated her life to Christ. Her sister bought 4 copies and gave them to other family members. This last February, my barber passed away from a brain aneurism. At her funeral your book was credited for her new-found Savior. - M. S.

Let me say that your book on Heaven was a real source of excitement and comfort for me. We lost our son just about a year before it came out and at the time I was reading all that I could find on Heaven. It was very timely for me. - R. C.

I read your Heaven book and it added a whole different dimension to my life. Things that used to be important fade in the light of eternity. I'm moving into an area where my priorities are shifting and I hope of am more useful in the service of Jesus. - D. J.

Heaven has become as real as tomorrow to me. I know of some of the things that I'm looking forward to tomorrow—but I won't know all it will hold until it's the present. And of course tomorrow certainly won't be as glorious as Heaven (unless Jesus comes back tomorrow). Knowing more about Heaven has given me a clearer perspective and hope & joy in my daily life. I've since listened to John MacArthur's series on Heaven and his last tape has a number of reasons why we should set our hearts on Heaven—the ones that stuck me are to the effect that having our heart set on Heaven is evidence of true Salvation and that a heart set on Heaven will not stoop to vanity! - A. N.

Heaven helped me with something that I have struggled with personally for many years even as a pastor, namely "What will heaven really be like?" I know that even what Mr. Alcorn says at times is merely speculative, but it gave me a much more encouraging picture. I hope that many buy his book and read it. I will certainly be recommending it to my congregation. - B. D.

Your book Heaven was given to a woman in my church by a friend of hers from outside the Church, and she asked me to preview it to see if the theology was sound. I really didn't expect it to be, and couldn't imagine what kind of vivid imagination someone must have to write about spirits floating in clouds for eternity. When I began to read the book, I couldn't believe my eyes! This was the hope of the ancient Christian Church, and my own tradition (Orthodox Presbyterian), but folks seemed to have forgotten it.

I am now recommending the book to everyone I meet (if only for the selfish reason to say "I told you so" since whenever I would preach on this, people would look at me as if I had lost my mind!)

Sorry to go on about this—theologians have known about this forever, but lay people usually don't read Hoeksema, Bavink, Vos, Murray, etc. If God's people could get hold of this truth, they'd stop chasing mere money, and have a more eternal perspective, realizing that what they do will not only count in the coming age, but will actually LAST into the coming age.

This book is the most exciting one I've read in ten years, no kidding. - C. H.

I am a pastor's wife. I just finished reading Heaven. It is a WONDERFUL book. It's the view I learned as a child. - D. C.

My 27-year-old daughter passed away a little over one year ago from cancer. I have been devastated since that time. I felt I had not only lost my daughter, but my faith as well. I truly felt God had let me down by allowing such an awful thing to happen. She was the best gift He had given her dad and me, so I could not understand why He took that wonderful gift away from us. To tell you the truth I still don't understand, but I do have a desire to be where she is. I have a desire for Heaven.

Before she passed away, and before I read your book Heaven, I knew I wanted to get to Heaven "eventually." I had a misguided idea of what it would be like and I wasn't too excited to get there......

Now I can't wait to experience it. Because of my daughter's death, I have read everything I could on Heaven and your book has made me feel so much better about where she actually is. I didn't know before about the intermediate Heaven and it brings such comfort to me to realize she isn't in limbo somewhere waiting 'til Jesus returns.

My heart is lighter. I thank God for you. - C. H. (mother of Courtney) and at some future date, will be mother to her again, in a much better place.

I recently experienced a very traumatic death of my baby from an extremely negligent doctor. My faith has been shaken to the core. I read many books about grief and just got done reading Heaven. Thank you for giving me such a beautiful experience and piece of mind. - R. E.

Your book Heaven has literally changed the way I think and live. It has strengthened my relationship with the Lord. Thank you and I look forward to meeting you when we get there! I have family members that I'm afraid may not make it. I have bought an extra copy of Heaven and am passing it around for them to read. - D. B.

Thought you should know that your book Heaven was a great source of encouragement for my mother (and myself) during her last months of life. Her medical condition diminished so that (for several weeks and months) all she could do was sit and be read to. Along with the Psalms, Heaven was truly inspiring and encouraging. It was the first time she'd clearly heard what was beyond the grave for the believer, and I know it comforted her. - C. J.

Your book has completely transformed the way I look at Heaven (and life in the present). I polled our college students before our class about Heaven and some of them wrote comments like "When I think of Heaven it makes me cry" (not tears of joy), and "I worry that Heaven won't be as good as this life." The goals of our class this semester are to understand and anticipate. So far there has been a lot of interest in the class! It is a class of about 50 and no one in the class has ever studied Heaven before (most of these students were raised in Christian homes and churches). Thank you for expanding my vision...with truth! - P. T.

I first found your ministry after my 61-year-old mom was killed in a car wreck (2 years ago) and someone gave me one of your fiction books. Needless to say, your Heaven book means the world to me and sits on my bedside table permanently. It makes me excited for the day when I will join my mom there!! - K. H.

I have just completed reading Heaven. What a blessing to have my thoughts turned to our eternal state and be able to have an excitement about what it will be like. I've been a believer for about 53 of my 63 years and this is the first time I have read such an account of the New Heaven and New Earth with such detail and with the support of scripture. My view of God and what He has prepared for us and what Christ purchased for us at Calvary has been tremendously expanded. - N. E.

I came across your book on Heaven. I just wanted to thank you for daring to imagine what it actually means when the Bible speaks about a city and so on. I'm completely amazed about the book and even more so about my future on the New Earth! Thank you for doing all the hard work of studying and writing the book in order to make it convenient for me who just had to read the book. It really changed my perspective on many things in life. I find myself thinking that it isn't too bad if I won't experience this since I might have even more fun doing it in Heaven. - H. K.

I am reading Heaven now. Fantastic book. You answer questions I wouldn't even think of asking! I've been preaching since 1973 and this is the best most logical presentation on a subject I have ever seen. Thanks for helping me "see" some things that I have previously. - K. L.

I have just completed reading your book on Heaven. I cannot possibly tell you what a pleasure it was, and how confident it makes me know about the future that God has for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Your work will be a great blessing to all who read the book.

I am 80 years old, so I expect to be in Heaven awaiting your arrival—see you there! - W. D.

After being a Christian for 35 years, a seminary graduate, and an adjunct teacher in Denver Seminary's leadership track; I must tell you that this book has created more anticipation and excitement of what lies ahead of me than anything I have studied or read in my Christian life, other than the Bible itself. - Steve Johnson, President Strategic People Development

My helicopter pilot son was shot down in Iraq 2-27-91. He had sent us a letter to be opened only if he did not come back.

"Well, if you have to open this up, please don't worry about me. For once I know something you don't, what Heaven's like."

His words have travelled far—giving millions a hope for Heaven. I have been collecting "heaven" books all these years. Thanks for the best book of all about heaven, your book Heaven. - S. L.

I have been a Christian for over 40 years. I have read the Bible from cover to cover twice. I have been in BSF for 5 years. But until I read Heaven I did not understand what wonderful things God has planned for me. I always wanted to be like Paul "To live is Christ, to die is gain" but never understood how he could think like that, until now. Thank you for this wonderful treasure. I will study it, share it and talk with everyone I know about it. - M. T.

I am almost finished reading Heaven. It has given me so much peace and hope. I have a 10 year old little boy there waiting on me. - L.O.

I just wanted to let you know how much Heaven has brought me comfort. My best friend died in a car accident in January. The book has given me the opportunity to allow my imagination to be fueled. I talked to her everyday when she was alive and I always asked her "So, what did you do today?" I feel like the book on Heaven gives me a glimpse into what she is doing every day in heaven, and what we will someday enjoy together on the New Earth. God bless you for the gift you have given those who grieve for loved ones and long for the great reunion.

Second only to the Bible, your book on heaven has contributed to my commitment to live a life of obedience. - D. E.

The main reason I am writing is to say thank you for coming out with the big Heaven book! It has changed my life and is very encouraging. I ride the bus to work (a 3 hour commute each day) and give out the small Heaven booklets to those whom God puts on my heart to do so. To date, I have given out about 40 booklets. - E. H. Houston

Never in all my studies, reading, seminary and theological research and training, constantly pursuing and seeking new facts concerning the topic of heaven, never have I read a book so joyfully and expectedly as Heaven.

This book is destined to be one of the greatest books written in the history of all printed Christian materials.

Please, please don't stop writing. - T. G.

Your book on Heaven is the best book I have ever read. Every page is filled with treasures of descriptions that take your breath away. Christ is glorified and we have no reason to fear what God has in store for us! - R. B.

"Please express to Randy for me how much I have appreciated his work, not only on the book, but especially on the Heaven booklet. I have carried a few in my purse to have available—and can hardly believe how many people I have talked with who have just lost Christian loved ones or have someone dear at the point of death. This little booklet is not overwhelming in size, so people can handle it easily—what a blessing and a comfort it is."

"Your book on Heaven is amazing. I find comfort on almost every page. My desire for heaven is affirmed. Family members have told me that I am so heavenly minded that I am no earthly good."

Our family is so thankful for the love and life you put into the Heaven book. It has truly given us an eternal perspective. This book has changed the way we view our life here on earth. Instead of being the "main" focus, we realize that it's really only a drop in the ocean. I'm really, really looking forward to heaven. - B. C.

I am so thankful God has used you to write the book Heaven. I have only read the first section. I realized I had never thanked God and Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins and eternal life. I just took it for granted. It was explained very simple that anyone could understand. A wonderful book to give to nonbelievers. I will be praying that your books will save many people and they will grow in Christ. - F. D.

"I just finished reading your book Heaven. It was fantastic and opened my eyes to a whole new world. Thank you for this revelation." - M. J.

I spent a great deal of time absorbing your book, Heaven. I want to tell you what a remarkable joy it was to find your book. I grew up in church, and never understood anything about heaven. I'm 55 years old and always secretly dreaded dying and spending eternity in the kind of heaven where you sit around bored and singing, etc. I grew up hearing far, far more about hell. It always seemed too real. Now I can picture a heaven that is joyous to think about. It makes me even more anxious for my loved ones to know Christ and experience heaven with me.

Thank you for a well-written, in-depth, documented look at a subject that should be near and dear to every believer's heart. - H. C.

I'm now re-reading Heaven and holding myself back from underlining almost every sentence. In 1998 my husband had a massive stroke. In 10 seconds, after 50 years of marriage, our lives changed dramatically and, for the next 5 years, he was confined to a wheelchair and hospital bed.

By God's grace, we were both strong believers and my husband longed for death and release form his pain and suffering. He died a year and a half ago and there were days when I thought I never wanted to live without him. However, your book has given me a new, fresh perspective on life and death that has enabled me to understand the Bible more clearly and fully.

When our 4 year old granddaughter asked, "Can Grandpa walk now?" I had visions of him jumping nimbly from rock to rock in a beautiful mountain stream (filled with rainbow trout). I can hardly wait to see Roy again and take up life where we left off.

Thank you again for writing this truly remarkable book. - M. P.

I gave away two copies of Heaven for Christmas and was finally able to get one for myself. I have found it to be the most encouraging book since the Bible! - M. F.

My dad is on his second go through of Heaven. He had read the Left Behind series and was always asking me questions about heaven, and I really didn't have the answers. I gave him your book and told him that it would answer ANY question he has ever had about heaven! Since my mom died he has been so anxious for the Lord's return or for his own death so that he could be with her again. His fear has been that she would be in heaven and he would be on the new earth. So that problem was solved! Anyway I just want to thank you for your diligence for truth. I always know with your books that such meticulous research has been done and you would never write something you didn't feel was from God. - J. H.

I just finished reading your book Heaven. You have no idea the difference your wisdom and understanding of the scriptures in this area has brought to my life!

I was raised in a legalistic church and knew about Jesus, "Bible-ese" (the born again Christian's church vocabulary) and all the "dos & donts" lists ever since I can remember!

In my early twenty's I struggled with making my parents' faith my own while keeping up appearances of a "spiritual do-gooder". The thought of the unknown of "the end" terrified me.

Then one day I heard you talking about your book on Moody radio and I had to have it. For the first time in my life, I now understand what the scriptures say Heaven will actually be like and I am excited! How could I be a Christian for so many years and not know the truth about Heaven? Heaven doesn't sound like a drudgery ... And more important, neither does my life until then. I've been reading the Bible from cover to cover and am finally beginning to know the Jesus I always thought I knew. It's no longer a drudgery ... For the first time in my walk with Him, I know that I love Him and want more of Him. What a great peace in my heart. - A. A.

I am nearly done with Heaven and I can't thank you enough for helping me to see how much more I have to look forward to. - S. S.

Randy took my preconceived notions about Heaven and like a tangled ball of string, not by knot, untangled my confusion about what lies ahead. - P. D.

I have just finished reading Heaven and thought it was great beyond any words. I was nearly killed in a car accident last week and have a broken left arm on the mend. Praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For some reason I wasn't supposed to die at this time. - D. R.

Only part way through Heaven, but I've got to tell you thus far it has been close to revolutionary for me. I'm a pastor and seminary grad and I don't ever remember thinking about heaven like this. My thoughts are consumed with heaven now and what it will be like. I'm supposed to be taking my Sunday School class through Revelation, but we haven't started because we're spending our time talking about heaven! Absolutely great stuff. - G. T.

I wanted to thank you for the book Heaven which may be the most important Christian book since the Reformation. The discussion of how non-Christian philosophical ideas from Platonism and Neo-Platonism have been brought in and become part of mainstream Christian thought is something I had never encountered before. I looked at some of Plato's dialogs, and was surprised at how Eastern his concepts are. Your book is a great groundbreaking work that brings the Biblical truth of heaven out from the background of accreted philosophies over the years! Thanks! - S. M.

Just finished reading Heaven and it was a real eye opener. For 39 years as a Christian I've had sort of vague, floaty ideas about heaven, despite the fact that I have a degree in theology and have taught Bible for 26 years. I guess I thought the New Earth was only for Israel. Thanks so much for your well documented research and your clear expression of ideas. - D. D.

My 10-year-old daughter flew to Heaven this last September. She died of leukemia after battling for 7 years on and off. In my incredible grief, someone recommended your book. I just want to let you know how it has blessed me to envision where Aria is now and what is to come. I had never focused on this as I was fighting with all my might for her to live and be healed. I am grateful that you took the time to open up peoples' imaginations and longings for life as it was meant to be. - B. J.

I'm finishing Heaven and I wanted to tell you that the Lord used your book to get me to start reading my Bible more. For some time He has been directing me to spend time in His word each day. And for some time I've been making excuses like "Lord I'm really busy"...imagine that!

But, as you remind me in the book we need to be "storing up our treasures," andI've realized that NOW is the time to obey my Lord whenever He directs me. As a result, I'm getting up every morning at 4:45 a.m. and spending time with our wonderful Heavenly Father and His word (oh, andenjoyinga couple cups of coffee...glad to know that we'll be drinking coffee in Heaven!). - P. T., Barnes & Noble bookstore manager

I have been a Christian for 23 years. In that time I've read many books but I have NEVER read a book that has brought me the kind of joy and thrill that Heaven has. Not ever. (Gods Word is in a separate category, of course.) Our small group leader, a former accountant and total "type A"..(not too emotional)...person held this book up at our last meeting and said that this was the best book he'd ever read. I went out the next day and bought it. I went out the day after that and bought two more copies to give away. I am going out this Saturday to buy 3 more copies to give to some other folks I know. Last night I took a meal to a woman in her 40's whose husband of 32 years has terminal bone cancer and is in the final stages of it. He accepted the Lord 3 weeks ago.I was able to share this wonderful book with her and she was going to start reading it to her husband as he waits to go HOME!!I find myself reading a sentence or two, and having to stop and thank the Lord for what's coming and for what He took the careand love to prepare for all of us. Your mind can just not really get around that, but your heart can. Many times reading this book I find I'm in tears, tears of joy, and gratitude. I just wanted to thank you for your Scripture backed, optimistic, FUN, and realistic perspective on what we will be enjoying with Him........forever. - M. B.

Randy's book Heaven is, I believe, very timely. Since none of us know exactly when our final destination transporters will arrive to take us to Heaven, it is important that we prepare for it.

Heaven reminds me that our thinking, our talking and our walking (our entire being and purpose for being here) must be one of seriousness for and to our Lord Jesus Christ.

I wish I had been able to read this theological work on Heaven earlier in my life. What a great source of encouragement, clarification and even a wake-up call. - D. J.

This morning I was reading Heaven as I rode the exercise bike. My wife (always worried since the heart attack) asked why I was gasping for breath. I had to tell her that I was crying, not gasping. This book is not just great reading, it is encouraging and a stimulus towards holy living. Thank you! - G. W.

My mom says Heaven has opened her eyes to so many things she hadn't understood from Scripture before. If she had the physical strength, she would be dancing a jig of joy and anticipation. So for no other reason than that, thank you for writing this book. I know it took you years of study and prayer and writing and rewriting to produce this work, and I know it will bless many and be used of God around the world. But I'm especially thankful for the joy it has brought my mom. - H. R.

I just wanted Mr. Alcorn to know how much his book Heaven has helped me. I'm enduring some very difficult times and am certain God led me to this book. Nothing has changed, but thanks to this book I have a hope now. I'm 37 and even if nothing changes for the rest of my years—however many they may be—I have an eternity to look forward to, one with no sadness. - C. H.

I finished Heaven and loved every moment of it.Really great insight. I've never read anything like it. - G. R.

I decided to read a little bit of Heaven before I went to bed last night. I'm hooked! Awesome book. In fact, I'm having a very difficult time putting it down and getting back to my own writing. I've already decided that Heaven will be the next book that I lead people through in my Sunday School class. - H. J., Author

You have done a good thing in writing this book. Whether you are right or wrong, you have been an encouragement and a challenge to me in my christian life. Whether you are right or wrong, your representations of the joys of heaven probably err on the low side. It will be as good as you have said, or it will be better. Either way, you have rung Pavlov's bell for this "dog". I'm drooling in anticipation. - K. P.

I love your book on Heaven. I always wondered if heaven would be like we were taught in church. No way! It sounds so exciting. Thank you for an excellent book. - J. L.

Thank you so much for Heaven. Your book is helping me to prioritize my life in ways that I had not thought of before, and helping me to understand things that I had NO knowledge of. - S. R.

I am presently teaching Hebrews to Revelation and my emphasis in Revelation is Heaven. I've read your book and think it is the best thing going. I plan to require your book for future classes in the Hebrews to Revelation class. Without a doubt, this is one of the most helpful and informative books ever published on the subject of Heaven and eternity. - T. L., Seminary professor

I just completed reading your book Heaven. Ithas challenged me tothink more Biblically about the New Heaven and the New Earth. Living in God's presence forever without sin is indeed an exciting and compelling future for all whohave accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord. - C. D.

Incredible book, unbelievable place, Heaven. - J. P.

I have just finished reading your book on Heaven, and I am at a loss for words to tell you what it meant to me.What an eye-opener in so many ways. And what a blessing to know that all of this awaits us on the New Earth! - B. B.

I must assure you that I believe Heaven is so meaningful and so powerful. I have been pushing it non-stop. My former pastor bought it and said it is amazing. My dad has been handing out copies. People are desperate to understand what has become of their loved ones and they long to know what will happen to them after death. My teenage son and his friends have all been browsing through my copy of Heaven. - P. C.

I am so enjoying Heaven which I gave to eight of my children for Christmas. I have two husbands in heaven and am really looking forward to going there now. - K. C.

Our daughter gave us a copy of Heaven. I do not have words to express to you what a blessing this book has been. Reading it has wonderfully expanded my vision of what Heaven will be like, and it makes the thought of going there soon (I am 83) more delightful every day. Reading Heaven has expanded my hope and understanding of the Word very much. - T. M.

Just wanted to let you know that I am in the process of reading Heaven and I have found that my love for my King and Savior has been incredibly rekindled (& I'm not finished it yet!) - C. C.

After reading Chapter 4 of Heaven this morning I rededicated my life to Jesus. I also promised Jesus that I will buy $1000.00 worth of your book to give to family and friends. I'm looking forward to finishing your book, howeverI want to fulfill my promise to Jesus as soon as possible. AllI want from my family and friends is that if they find Jesus as their Savior, they will buy one or more of your books and share their witness of Jesus. Ihope in somesmall way this will help. - J. S.

I purchased the book Heaven for "someone else", as a gift, not knowing God knew it was me who needed it. My thoughts are beyond words as I experience again, love and answers from Heavenly places. God comes to me—in spite of me. He is lifting me, I have been "feeling" so down and then guilty about feeling down. For Pete's Sake, I'm a therapist who works with others who struggle with these feelings. Here I am weak, sad, questioning God...and He comes and loves me through a book. I'm overwhelmed by His love. It is about Heaven. It's all about Heaven. I've been in the "fog." Thank You - L. K.

I had a heart attack followed by open heart surgery which seemed strange for a supposedly healthy 57 year old. As I lay in the hospital I thought I was close to going home to heaven. I realized I didn't know that much about it. I knew as much or more than the average believer but not near as much as I should. I had preached on heaven before but fell into that trap "the Bible doesn't say much about it".

But in the hospital I knew I needed to know more and then as a pastor to preach a series on heaven.

Thank the Lord for your book Heaven. My mind was opened and I think of heaven with a new perspective. It is more real than ever before. From the day I started the book I have thought of heaven and my preaching has been enhanced. Thank you for describing our eternal home the way you did. It now is so obvious "a New Heaven and a New Earth." - J. C. Pastor

I would like to thank you for your writing of the book Heaven. I started reading the book on Oct. 11, 2004. During the week my wife and I had many discussions on different parts of the book. During the night of Oct.16, 2004, my beloved wife passed away. She was only 45 yrs. old. Reading your book is helping me slowly, very slowly, to move on. I knew where she was going when she passed on because she sowed more the she received. She was a true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. It was her that finally led me to ask the Lord to take my sins away and lead me into being a christian. I had to put the book down for awhile. But I am reading it again. I thank you so much again for writing it. - C. C.

I am almost completely through your book Heaven and I can't tell you how much it is ministering to me. Last weekend I had several hours in the car with my college-age daughter. From an early age she has been somewhatleery of heaven. Over the years we've discussed it but I wasn't much help. In the car that day, because of your book, I was able to help her like never before. - J. L.

Heaven is phenomenal. I have read hundreds of books on this subject since I have lost seven of the most important people in my life in the last 6 years and this is the best by far. I am journaling it and looking up each scripture and am amazed at our God. Thanks for taking years to write this book. I have found the secret to life is keeping your death before your eyes each day. It is an awesome way to live, too bad so few find it. - M. L.

Thank you for writing Heaven. You have verified much of my own understanding of Scripture, answered many of my questions, and given me new concepts and ideas to study and digest. Yours is a "WOW" book! - C. F.

I just wanted Mr. Alcorn to know how much his book Heaven has helped me. I'm enduring some very difficult times and am certain God led me to this book. Nothing has changed but thanks to this book I have a hope now. I'm 37 and even if nothing changes for the rest of my years, however many they may be, I have an eternity to look forward to, one with no sadness.

I have been a Christian for 23 years, in that time I've read many books, I have never read a book that has brought me the kind of joy and thrill that Heaven has. Not ever. (Gods Word is in a separate category of course) Our small group leader, a former accountant and total "type A" (not too emotional) person held this book up at our last meeting and said that this was the best book he'd ever read. I went out the next day and bought it. I went out the day after that and bought two more copies to give away and on Saturday I'm going out to buy 3 more copies to give to some other folks I know.

Last night I took a meal to a woman in her 40's whose husband of 32 years (they married when she was 16) has terminal bone cancer and is in the final stages of it. He accepted the Lord 3 weeks ago. I was able to share this wonderful book with her and she was going to start reading it to her husband as he waits to go HOME!!

I find myself reading a sentence or two, and having to stop and thank the Lord for what's coming and for what He took the care and love to prepare for all of us. Your mind can just not really get around that, but your heart can. Many times reading this book I find I'm in tears: tears of joy and gratitude. I just wanted to thank you for your Scripture-backed, optimistic, FUN, and realistic perspective on what we will be enjoying with Him...forever. God Bless you today. - M.B. Lynden, WA

I must assure you that I believe Heaven is so meaningful and so powerful. I have been pushing it non-stop. My former pastor bought it and said it is amazing. My dad has been handing out copies, as well as In Light of Eternity. People are desperate to understand what has become of their loved ones and they long to know what will happen to them after death. My teenage son and his friends have all been browsing through my copy of Heaven. - P. C.

I am in the process of reading Heaven and I have found that my love for my King and Savior has been incredibly rekindled (and I'm not finished it yet!) Thank you for being His vessel in expanding my faith. I can hardly wait! - Sincerely, C. C.

It's Sunday morning, December 12, 2004. I purchased the book Heaven for someone else as a Christmas present, not knowing God knew it was me who needed it. My thoughts are beyond words as I experience again, love and answers from Heavenly places. God comes to me, in spite of me. He is lifting me, I have been "feeling" so down and then guilty about feeling down. For Pete's sake, I'm a therapist who works with others who struggle with these feelings. Here I am weak, sad, questioning God. And He comes and loves me through a book. I'm overwhelmed by His love. It is about Heaven. It's all about Heaven. I've been in the "fog". - Thank You, S. R.

I have read over 100 books on the subject of Heaven and I have never read one that touches the soul as Randy Alcorn does in his book called Heaven. It is so informative, easy to read and understand and he backs up everything with scripture. There is not a more important subject than where one will spend eternity. Randy Alcorn has spent 25 years writing this book and it shows. I have the book and the book on audio. Both are magnificent and would make excellent Christmas gifts. - Linda Orr, Lafayette, LA (used by permission)

Randy's book Heaven is phenomenal. I have read hundreds of books on this subject since I have lost seven of the most important people in my life in the last six years and Randy's is the best by far. I am journaling it and looking up each scripture and am amazed at our God. Thanks for taking 25 years to write this book. I have found the secret to life is keeping your death before your eyes each day. It is an awesome way to live, too bad so few find it. - L.O.

Wow!!!!! What an experience this book is. When Stu Weber said that "Other than the Bible itself, this may well be the single most life-changing book you'll ever read", he hit it on the head. I am not certain what the publisher is doing in terms of promotion but they need to get Dr Alcorn on every possible venue that can bring the exposure this book deserves. Dedicated Alcorn readers like myself will always pick up his books but the millions who need the hope this book offers might not. - Frank Sinclair, Colorado Springs, CO (used by permission)

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