Heaven

Let’s Unpack Heaven

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

Heaven wins. And I like to win. And I’m sure you do too. But what do you know about heaven? When I was recently asked the question, my reply was “very little.” Most of my understanding in those early years was from movies, books, and hearsay. People speculating on their view of heaven. Since then I have taken a more factual approach. The only person I know from humanity’s history to travel from and to heaven is Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:13). Therefore, I have made HIM my reference point to learn everything I need to know about heaven.    

Most of us hold a cultural view of heaven. I say that because based on a recent Pew research study, less than 12% of Americans are Biblically literate. Thus the other 88% gather their information from other sources. And since Jesus upheld Scripture (Mt. 22:29, Mk. 12:24), we are going to briefly unpack heaven solely from the Biblical viewpoint.

Based on Scripture heaven is:

  • God’s supernatural realm (Deut. 10:14, Dan, 2:28, Matt. 7:11) . Earth is the natural domain (Isa.66:1, 24:21) Both were created by, through, and for Jesus Christ (Co; 1:16). 
  • Where God’s throne room and divine council resides (Ps. 11:4, Mt. 5:34, Rev. 4,5; Psalm 82:1).  
  • Where God’s main home is based (Eph 3:15, Mt: 5:45, Mt.7:21).
  • Where God’s government operates (Phil. 3:20, Jn. 3:27, Mt. 28:18, Dan. 4:26).  
  • Where God’s characteristics shine (Lk. 15:7).
  • Where Jesus now intervenes for His saints (1 Pt. 3:22, Heb. 8:1, Heb. 9:24).
  • Where God’s spiritual agents reside (Mk. 12:25, Dan. 4:13).
  • Where Jesus is preparing a place for his saints (Heb 11:16).
  • Where Satan rebelled and initiated a failed coup against God (Rev.12:7-9, 13,17, Ezek. 28:11-17).  The result is now terrorist warfare by evil forces against God’s creation. (Eph 6:12).
  • Where secrets of life are kept and slowly revealed at their appropriate time (Mt. 13:11, Dan. 2:28, 1 Cor. 4:1, Rm. 16:25, Col. 1:27, 2:2)
  • Will be replaced by a new heaven (Rev 21:1, Lk. 21:33, Mt. 24:35).
  • Where the saints inheritance awaits them (1 Pt. 1:4, Eph 1:3, 2:6, 2 Cor. 5:1-2, 1 Cor. 15:49, Lk. 10:20).
  • Where our reward awaits us (Lk. 6:23, Lk.18:22, Mt. 6:19-20).
  • Earth’s future merger partner (Eph. 1:10).
  • Now being colonized on Earth (Mt. 6:10, Mt. 3:2).

This is the heaven I know. Everything else is speculation. And I’m OK with that. My goal is to have an intimate relationship with Jesus; today, tomorrow and beyond eternity. For wherever HE is, HE assures me I will be with HIM. Today HE gives me a taste of heaven. In the future, we look forward to breaking bread at HIS table in HIS kingdom when heaven and earth are one.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Finished. Done. Now What?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

2 Corinthians 5:20

…be reconciled to God.

Ephesians 5:1

…be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Religion is man’s attempt to appease their god. They desire to obtain favor today and reserve a place in heaven tomorrow when their human life is over. The rituals, rules, and observations are designed to make one feel good about one’s effort to be righteous before their god. The “to do list” of religious practices are as short or as long as the community one participates in.

Christianity, many times, is erroneously categorized or practiced in a similar manner. Yet, when one reads the New Testament one realizes Jesus Christ truly turned the entire world right side up with a new paradigm of salvation. Salvation is not something you and I need to do, but something to be. Salvation is a relationship with the living God.

We all like to think we are good because we occasionally do good things for others. And we think because we are good, we have a place reserved for us in heaven. Sure, we may at times mess up, but 51% of the time, we do more good than bad. Thus, we justifiably have earned the right to be in heaven. This is what many people incorrectly believe what the Bible teaches.   

But nowhere in the Bible does it say good people will go to heaven. Instead, Jesus spoke about repentant sinners entering His kingdom before the righteous Pharisee. The apostle Paul writes in Romans that no one is righteous before God, all have sinned, and none are good before God (Rm. 3:10,23).

What saves you is not your good deeds, but a God-Man. He took on human flesh and lived a perfect life without sin. He sacrificed himself on behalf of all humanity to restore our relationship with God Almighty. The fact is Jesus Christ lived a vicarious life for you and me. So now we have direct contact with the Divine. We are adopted into the inner circle of the Triune God.

Jesus Christ saved you and me. Past tense. Done. Finished.

But what does that mean for you and me now? Glad you asked.

Paul writes that we are now to “be reconciled to God.” And again, “be imitators of God as beloved children.”  Being already saved by Jesus Christ, we are now to focus our entire being to walk with God, to be one with Him, and to imitate Him in our dealings with each other.

Like children playing grownup, we are to put on His garments and act and behave in similar ways. We are to make His values and viewpoint ours. Like the disciples of their rabbi, we watch, observe, discuss and ponder with Him whatever and wherever He invites us to participate with Him. We are His student, His sibling, His bond-servant. We are to develop a personal, meaningful relationship with Him.

We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pt. 3:18). It is coming to have so much faith in Him, your life explodes with His character and His Spirit being fully expressed through you for the sake of others. Your worldview becomes centered around the Triune God and His work. Life becomes a love adventure. God’s love overflows within you and you cannot help share His love with everyone you meet.

Yes, Jesus did the impossible for you and me. So now, through Him and in Him and for Him, He has equipped and empowered us to be free to do the same for each other.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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Learning To Serve and Govern

Dr. Mike 2021, Kingdom Actions , ,

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:6

So, when you get to heaven, what do you think you will be doing? Laying around on hammocks?  Taking short walks through the countryside? Fishing on your favorite river?

What does the Bible imply?

When Christ returns and we who have followed HIM in this life will be resurrected and join him in his plan for humanity. This is the first resurrection. As today’s Scripture indicates, we who are resurrected will be given assignments which involve being priests (serving ministers) and will reign (govern) with Jesus during the millennium.

Yes, we will be serving and governing God’s way.

So, what does that indicate you are learning now in this life to prepare you for eternity? Correct, we are learning how to serve and govern God’s way.

As married couples, we are learning to mutually serve one another. As parents, we are learning to govern our households. In the marketplace, we are learning to serve others through our work. In the community, we are likewise learning to serve when we volunteer to help a worthwhile mission. If we have been given the opportunity, we may also be learning to govern in the marketplace and community depending on our leadership abilities.

In fact, each day you and I are learning to become more effective leaders while serving and governing others. Not like this world teaches, but as Christ teaches. We lead and govern not by lording over another person, but humbly serving them from a position of love for our Father God’s glory. We realize each person we meet is a child of the living God and is likewise being trained in godly character. They may not realize the full importance nor accept the authority of the Triune God in their life yet, but in time who knows the future. Nothing is impossible for God.

So, the next time someone asks you what you will be doing in the world tomorrow. Let them know its what you are doing today – learning to serve and govern God’s way.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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