Have you ever wondered what heaven is like? Have you wondered where heaven is? Have you ever been asked by co-worker or a friend where heaven is? How do you respond or what would you say?
In the world today, there are many thoughts and arguments on what heaven is and whether or not it actually exits. The idea and concepts of evolution have outgrown the idea of heaven around the globe. Heaven is not a matter of speculation. Heaven is a real place. Every time the Lord’s Prayer is repeated we acknowledge God is in heaven, for we say, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.” Matthew 6:9
Heaven is where God’s throne can be found. Psalm 103:19 tells to us that “the LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.” In order for God to be able to see and rule over everything, He would need to reside in the most high of heaven. Job marveled at the height of the heaven and the height of the stars where God is and He is watching His people. “Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!” Job 22:12
One can only dream and try to image the great distance between earth and heaven. Man has had the opportunity to travel to the moon and that journey is a very long trip. Heaven is at a much longer distance and it makes you wonder if God can hear our prayers as they ascend to heaven. God is so great that He can hear us.
“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
God will hear our prayers when we humble ourselves to Him and follow His law.
Will the righteous ever go to heaven? Yes, they most certainly will. I believe it is a true desire that we all want to see, meet, and be in God’s presence. In John 14:1–3, Jesus tells us that in His Father’s house there are mansions. Not townhouses, not semi-detaches homes, or apartments; but mansions that He is preparing for us. He says, “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.” John 14:3
When will the righteous have the opportunity to go to heaven? We all are anxious to go to heaven and patiently wait for His second coming. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
There are people today that believe that the righteous that have died in Christ are in heaven now. However, it is not possible. Paul makes this point clear that they are asleep. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13–15. Some have questioned what Paul meant when said, “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.” The Greek reads, “For since we believe in Jesus died and rose; so also [we believe] that God, through Jesus will lead forth with Him those who fell asleep.” Paul explains that just as Christ was raised from the dead, God will call the sleeping righteous from their graves and will take them with Him to heaven.
Paul further explains his idea, “Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with You.” 2 Corinthians 4:14. This comes to show that the righteous dead will only be raised and made alive at the coming of Jesus.
Heaven is a place that we all dream to be in one day. However, the reality is that not everyone will make it. “Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.” Isaiah 26:2. And what is this truth? Jesus tells us that “Thy word is truth.” John 17:17. It is very important that we follow very closely what the Bible tells us to do. Only if we are to follow His commandments, can we gain entry through the pearly gates.
Before we are granted the opportunity to enter heaven, a change is going to occur in our bodies. “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:51–53. When the redeemed are given immortality at the coming of the Lord, they will never die.
All the descriptions we find in the Bible about heaven are truly amazing. However, we are left with a question. Are you getting ready for Christ’s second coming? Are you preparing yourself for heaven? In order to enter heaven, you must have your name recorded in the book of life. “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything 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. If your name is not written in the book of life, then it is clear what happens to us. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15
Today, we have the great opportunity to have our names written in the book of life, but how? The Apostle John clearly laid it out for us. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” John 1:9
Amen
Edwin Alfaro