Sunday, July 12, 2009

HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN MUST BE!

Heaven, as we know, is what all Christians are striving for in this life. There is no greater reward for us than to live life everlasting in that place that, according to the scriptures, is far better than anything that we can even imagine.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. I Corinthians 2:9

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Isaiah 64:4

In order for us to make it to Heaven, we know to start with we must be saved!

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. Revelation 21:24

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:27

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? I Peter 4:18

We must strive to live above sin and if we do sin we must repent and go on to perfection.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. I John 2:1-2

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19

Our sin must be blotted out to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Paul gave us an illustration about making it to the resurrection of the dead unto eternal life:

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Philippians 3:10-11, 14-15

We must prepare ourselves daily to inherit that heavenly home. (It's a daily quest!)

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. Proverbs 8:34-35 (Everlasting life) This verse is talking about wisdom of God, i.e., Christ, His Word.

Jesus: the wisdom of God

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. I Corinthians 1:24

As a Christian however, there are many things that can keep us from that heavenly home. We do not have carte blanche (a blank check), so to speak, (i.e., eternal security), unless we keep ourselves in the love and grace of God. There are a number of things, we know, that will cause us to stumble and fall, but the single most devastating thing we as Christians can do is to allow pride into our lives. Lucifer, the devil, was one of the most anointed cherubs In the Kingdom of heaven! What was his downfall? Pride!

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Ezekiel 28:16-17

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. Isaiah 14:12-15

The same can be our destruction!

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:13

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19

Another very subtle type of pride that gets in the church is:

I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, Isaiah 65:2-6

We know what God will do to us if we become proud. (He will bring us low!)

Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. Job 40:12

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 29:23

For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: Isaiah 2:12

Christians must be humble to inherit eternal life!

By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. Proverbs 22:4

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4

We must keep ourselves in the love of God!

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:21 (In Heaven)

After we do our best (by God's grace), and make it through all the trials, tribulations and temptations , while overcoming the world, the flesh, sin, and the devil, we shall inherit eternal life in heaven. Praise God!

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7

How beautiful Heaven must be!

A description:

Cf. Revelation 21:1-4, 10-25

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5

IN CONCLUSION: Jesus further described more details about Heaven in:

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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:2-6

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ fill you with all wisdom of the scriptures and His love, and make it possible by His grace, for us to make it in to those pearly gates, in Jesus' name.