Heaven: Is it worth the wait? Series on Heaven: Worth the Wait!

Billy Joel, “Only the Good Die Young” And they say there's a heaven for those who will wait Some say it's better but I say it ain't I'd rather laugh with the sinners Than cry with the saints The sinners are much more fun You know that only the good die young

Isaac Asimov "For whatever the tortures of hell, I think the boredom of heaven would be even worse."

What is Heaven like? “a Paradise garden where, freed from sin, we see God face-to-face”

What is Heaven like? “Paradise” “Paradise” Revelation 2:7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

What is Heaven like? “Paradise” “Paradise” Paradeisos an enclosed garden, park, or orchard

What is Heaven like? “Paradise” “Paradise” Alister McGrath “The idea of a walled garden enclosing a carefully cultivated area of exquisite plants and animals, was the most powerful symbol of paradise available to the human imagination [of the biblical writers], mingling the images of the beauty of nature with the orderliness of human construction.”

What is Heaven like? “Paradise” “Paradise” Revelation 2:7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

What is Heaven like? “Paradise” “Paradise” “Freed from sin” “Freed from sin” Matthew 6:10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

What is Heaven like? “Paradise” “Paradise” “Freed from sin” “Freed from sin” “See God face-to-face” “See God face-to-face” 2 Corinthians 5:8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

What is Heaven like? “Paradise” “Paradise” “Freed from sin” “Freed from sin” “See God face-to-face” “See God face-to-face” Philippians 1:21-23 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard- pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better

What is Heaven like? “Paradise” “Paradise” “Freed from sin” “Freed from sin” “See God face-to-face” “See God face-to-face” – “prefer” 2 Cor 5 – “to die is gain… very much better” Phil 1

What is Heaven like? “a Paradise garden where, freed from sin, we see God face-to-face”

Stages of Heaven 1.Present Heavens 2.Post-rapture Heavens Resurrection! – Before: “absent from the body” (2 Cor 5:8) – After: clothed in a glorified body (Phil 3:21)

Stages of Heaven 1.Present Heavens 2.Post-rapture Heavens 3.Millennial Kingdom

Stages of Heaven Revelation 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Stages of Heaven 1.Present Heavens 2.Post-rapture Heavens 3.Millennial Kingdom 4.New Heavens and New Earth Revelation 21

New Heaven & Earth New but still earth New but still earth No sea = no separation or chaos No sea = no separation or chaos Heaven on earth Heaven on earth No more tears (end to death, sadness, grief, pain) No more tears (end to death, sadness, grief, pain) Glorious (even streets and stones!) Glorious (even streets and stones!) Illuminated by God’s Presence Illuminated by God’s Presence

Stages of Heaven 1.Present Heavens A paradise where freed from sin we see God 2.Post-rapture Heavens Resurrected to perfection and celebration 3.Millennial Kingdom Ultimate fulfillment as we rule with Christ 4.New Heavens and New Earth Heaven on a resurrected earth, our true home

Application 1.Do you know that this is where you’re going? 2.Meditate on Rev to grow in hope Even in disappointment Even in sickness and pain Even in grief Even in death (= departure – 2 Tim 4:6)