- Mon, Feb 01, 2010
- Heaven
Why do we have a wrong view of Heaven?
Satan labors to give people an inaccurate view of heaven. Jesus said of the devil, “When he lies he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
Resources: eternity
- Sat, Jan 30, 2010
- Heaven
When writing about the New Earth, did you mean to leave out the New Jerusalem, which is the final Heaven, and is described in Rev. 21 and 22?
The point is where the New Jerusalem is located. It is brought down to the New Earth and is the capital city of the New Earth. When I talk about the New Earth I am including the New Jerusalem. However, the New Jerusalem does not include the whole New Earth. For example, when you speak of Oregon, does that include the city of Portland? Yes. But if you speak of Portland, that doesn't include the whole state of Oregon.
- Sat, Jan 30, 2010
- Doctrine and Theology, Heaven
Where do we get our misconceptions about heaven?
Satan labors to give people an inaccurate view of heaven.
- Sat, Jan 30, 2010
- Heaven
Where in Scripture are we reassured that we will have the comfort of making up lost time with loved ones in eternity?
Scripture tells us we will all be living with the same person (Jesus) in the same place (Heaven), and will be seated at tables with the people of God of all times, and 1 Thessalonians 4 says we are to “comfort one another with these words” about being together with the Lord forever. So clearly we will be spending eternity with our loved ones.
- Tue, Jan 26, 2010
- Doctrine and Theology, Heaven
Further Thoughts on the Millennium
The millennium is an interesting subject. It’s also a theological lightning rod, one which I didn’t want to be a center of attention in my book Heaven. This is why I dealt with it there only briefly. As I say in the book, the focus of our attention should be on the New Earth, which is the center of our eternal dwelling place and our rule as God’s children. Regardless of our differing beliefs on the millennium, it is possible for us to agree on the nature of God’s New Earth.
- Mon, Jan 18, 2010
- Heaven
Are there different levels of Hell?
Because God is just, there will be degrees of punishment in Hell.
- Mon, Jan 18, 2010
- Heaven
Are we instantly with the Lord when we die?
Jesus told the dying thief on the cross, "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). The apostle Paul said that to die was to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23), and to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).
- Thu, Jan 14, 2010
- Heaven
Can people in Heaven see what’s happening on Earth?
Yes, people in Heaven have some idea of what’s going on here. They may not know or pay attention to everything that’s happening (like the time you slipped ice into your brother’s pillowcase). But the martyrs in Revelation 6 knew that God hadn’t yet brought judgment on those who killed them, so it’s likely that they knew many other things about what’s happening on earth.
- Thu, Jan 07, 2010
- Doctrine and Theology, Heaven
Does the idea we may inhabit other planets lend credit to the Mormon belief that you get your own planet when you die?
Question from a reader:
In Chapter 26 of your Heavenbook, you discuss space and time. You say, “I can easily envision our inhabiting and governing other resurrected planets.” Does this lend credit to the Mormon belief that you get your own planet when you die?
- Thu, Jan 07, 2010
- Doctrine and Theology, Heaven
Does the Old Testament reveal many, if any, specifics about the location of those who died and were saved?
The New Testament reflects much more specific revelation from God of the afterlife. Yet there are some strong Old Testament indicators, though not nearly as many.
Job had the assurance that although he was going to be eaten by worms, he would receive a new body and in that body would actually see God face to face, obviously conscious. In Job 19:25-27 he says that “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself ...
