1. 1 There is a Prize! How do I know heaven will be there?

2. 2 The word heaven: 1. Sky (birds) – Mat. 6:26 2. Space (stars) – Heb. 11:12 3. God’s dwelling place & throne – 2 Chron. 30:27, Ps. 115:16, Is. 66:12 Chron. 30:27, Ps. 115:16, Is. 66:1 Christ’s home – John 3:13, 17:24, Luke 24:51, Heb. 9:24John 3:13, 17:24, Luke 24:51, Heb. 9:24

3. 3 Bible use of word heaven: Word occurs 254 times in 237 verses of NT – most referring to God’s spiritual dwelling (ASV). Word occurs 254 times in 237 verses of NT – most referring to God’s spiritual dwelling (ASV). –Kingdom of heaven (Mat. 3:2) –Your reward in heaven (Mat.5:12) –Father who is in heaven (Mat.5:16) –Lay up treasures in heaven (Mat. 6:20) –You shall have treasure in heaven (Mark 10:21) –Was received up into heaven & sat down (Mar.16:19) –Great is your reward in heaven (Luke 6:23) –He descended, Son of man who’s in heaven (Jn.3:13)

4. 4 Heaven is an actual place: Prepared place - John 14:1-6 Prepared place - John 14:1-6 Inherited - Mat. 25:31-34, 41 Inherited - Mat. 25:31-34, 41 Entered – Mat.7:13-14, 21-23 Entered – Mat.7:13-14, 21-23 Of our reward – Mat. 5:10-12 Of our reward – Mat. 5:10-12 Names are written – Luke 10:20 Names are written – Luke 10:20

5. 5 Our hope is heaven: Place of our citizenship – Phil. 3:17-21 Place of our citizenship – Phil. 3:17-21 Place of our treasure – Mat. 6:19-21 Place of our treasure – Mat. 6:19-21 Source of our help – Heb.4;14-16, 9:23-28 Source of our help – Heb.4;14-16, 9:23-28 Object of our hope – 1 Peter 1:3-5 Object of our hope – 1 Peter 1:3-5 City of our eternal home – 2 Cor. 4:16-5:8 City of our eternal home – 2 Cor. 4:16-5:8

6. 6 Heaven will be there because: God cannot lie, He keeps promises, His word is reliable – Heb. 6:13-20 God cannot lie, He keeps promises, His word is reliable – Heb. 6:13-20 It represents the objective of God’s plan: It represents the objective of God’s plan: –Reunited with God –Only came here to take us there –Eternal life is the point –Hope, promise, future with God… –Illustrated in OT types –It’s the final picture of revelation

7. 7 How do I know it will be there … for me? What brought the saints this far (1-4) What brought the saints this far (1-4) Instructions going forward (5-7) Instructions going forward (5-7) The assurance for our future (8-11) The assurance for our future (8-11) So, remind … remind … remind (12-15) So, remind … remind … remind (12-15)

8. 8 “But now they desire a better, that is a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16