Hello Precious Moms!
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Amidst great suffering the apostle Paul found the strength to persevere by looking at the things which are not seen. I'm praying this study will do the same for all of us.
Robbi (one of our Moms) has been listening to Randy Alcorn's CD set on "50 Days of Heaven". She said it is really great and that in reinforces what she has just read in the study. I would recommend it especially for those who are struggling with reading and studying. Just listen - God will speak to your heart.
All for Jesus and His Glory,
Janette Henning
Umbrella Ministries San Diego
The Present Heaven
Umbrella Ministries San Diego
The Present Heaven
This week you were introduced to what Randy Alcorn calls the "intermediate" Heaven. This is the present Heaven - the place Christians go to when they die. He stresses this is a "temporary dwelling place, a stop along the way to our final destination: the New Earth."(pg.43)
If you are a student of the Bible you get that. Revelation 21 explains "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Then, I John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adored for her husband."
Yes, the entire universe as we observe it today will pass away and be replaced with a new creation that will last forever. But what about the "holy city, New Jerusalem" that comes down out of heaven from God , prepared as a bride? This is the "place" Jesus talks about in John 14:2-3. "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am there you may be also." This place, the capital city of Heaven, comes down out of heaven from God, prepared, finished and occupied by all the saints!
I believe that there is significant evidence in Scripture that leads us to the conclusion that this "prepared" place, "the holy city, New Jerusalem," is the present Heaven in it's completed state. Completed because every person that Christ died to redeem, out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation is there. The bride of Christ that He patiently wooed and waited for, is now ready!
Hebrew 12:22-23 tells us about the heavenly Jerusalem now, in the present Heaven. It is the city of the living God, there are innumerable company of angels, and there is a festal gathering going on with Believers and Old Testament Saints. This Scripture talks about the "general assembly" but it really means "a gathering for public festival." There is a party going on in Heaven!
The second part of our study this week was questioning whether or not the present Heaven was a physical place. Randy talked about "unobserbable dimensions" and the "unseen realm." Can things that are not seen be physically real? Is there evidence in Scripture that Heaven has physical properties that are familar to us?
He introduced us to two men in the Bible who saw clearly into the heavenly places. Stephen saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The Lord opened Elisha's servant's eyes to see heavenly armies full of horses and chariots of fire protecting Elisha. We learned that Heaven depicted people wearing clothes, holding palm branches, playing musical instruments, walking and talking. We also saw that there are trees, fruit and wine in Heaven. In fact, "it seems likely that the original Eden may be a great park at the center of the city"! (Page 56) I believe, along with Randy Alcorn that Heaven is a real, physical place! So close! "A spiritual dimension of reality which God has hidden from us in this present age, a dimension which none the less really does exist in our space/time universe and within which Jesus now lives in his physical resurrected body, waiting even now for a time when he will return to earth." (page 48)
Are you excited yet? Next week we will look at what life is like in the present Heaven.
"You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
Remember: You are the focus of God's heart. Every detail of Heaven is for you!
Challenge Exercises & Questions
1. Jesus tells the disciples in John 14:1 "let not your heart be troubled." The word "troubled" means "horror, anxiety, agitation." In my opinion that is a very good definition of grief. How does Jesus comfort his disciples as He is preparing them for His death? (John 14:1-4) Does this comfort you?
2. Study the "tree of life".
Genesis 2:9 Where is the tree of life?
Genesis 3:24 What did God place at the East end of the Garden of Eden? Why?
Psalm 99:1; Isaiah 37:16 Where does God dwell?
Revelation 2:7 Where is the tree of life?
Luke 23:43 Who dwells in Paradise?
2 Corinthians 12:4 Where was Paul caught up to?
Revelation 22:2 Where is the tree of life?
3. Read Revelation chapter 21 through chapter 22:5
Describe the "finished" Heaven. What is different about the "finished" Heaven and the "present" Heaven?
2. Study the "tree of life".
Genesis 2:9 Where is the tree of life?
Genesis 3:24 What did God place at the East end of the Garden of Eden? Why?
Psalm 99:1; Isaiah 37:16 Where does God dwell?
Revelation 2:7 Where is the tree of life?
Luke 23:43 Who dwells in Paradise?
2 Corinthians 12:4 Where was Paul caught up to?
Revelation 22:2 Where is the tree of life?
3. Read Revelation chapter 21 through chapter 22:5
Describe the "finished" Heaven. What is different about the "finished" Heaven and the "present" Heaven?
