Resources by Topic: Heaven

The chart “Three Eras of Earth and Mankind” portrays human history and human destiny. It demonstrates the continuity of past, present, and future, and the continuity between life on the old Earth and life on the New Earth. By comparing each series of statements, you’ll see the distinct differences between these three periods. I encourage you to study this chart and contemplate the significance of each phase of Earth’s history

The New Earth will still be Earth just as we, in our new bodies, will still be ourselves. 

Salvation and rewards are given on a different basis, and we should be careful not to confuse them.

I agree it would be better to say “Last Adam” and I will be making this change in a future edition to eliminate any confusion.

Question from a reader: You say in your book that people in Heaven can witness events happening on earth. But what about Isaiah 65:17, which says in heaven “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind”? Whatever this verse means, it specifically comes after the New Heavens and New Earth, not before. Hence, it has no bearing at all on the question of whether saints presently in heaven can witness events happening on earth.

Heaven isn’t a place of confusion, but clarity.

The following excerpts are from IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY: Perspectives on Heaven, by Randy Alcorn.

I believe this is a subject of immense importance to our understanding of Scripture. Our Platonic/Gnostic assumptions have skewed our views, shifting them closer to Buddhism and Hinduism than to biblical Christianity, which is centered an actual physical resurrection of not only Christ and people but the earth itself, an earth God called “very good” and has never given up on.

Despite my best attempts to be careful with Scripture, my understanding is far from complete and is without doubt incorrect in some areas. But if the reader diligently investigates the Scripture passages referred to in this summary, he may discover to his surprise (and either to his delight or discomfort) that some of his own notions and assumptions about heaven are in fact not biblical. In the process, he will gain a far greater understanding of this vital subject.

God no more gives up on the Earth than He gives up on us. He is no more done with the Earth than He is done with us. God promises He will reverse the curse:

The guardian angel question is a tough one. We know they exist, and we know that children have them, because we're told the children’s angels continuously behold the face of the Father.

I understand your position and I suppose it could have some merit, as long as it’s clear this is not like a progressive resurrection. The resurrection will happen all at once at a time yet in the future.

Universalism originated in the Garden of Eden when Satan said ‘you will not surely die’ (Gen. 3:4). The appeal by Universalists to God’s desire to save all is unconvincing because the same God who reveals that He desires for everyone to be saved also reveals that not everyone is saved. Additionally, we must distinguish between God’s sovereign will (which God infallibly brings to pass in the world), and His permissive will (what He does not want in and of itself, but wills to occur in light of all of history considered together).

Jesus said, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This never-ending life is promised to those who believe in Jesus. “But how can this be?” you might ask. “After all, everyone will die at some point.” True. But death isn’t the end of the story. Jesus promised that someday we’ll live forever with him. That means we’ll live again after we die.