REASONS FOR GOING TO HEAVEN

• The Godhead will be there.- The Father, the Son, the Teacher (HS).

• Because of its nature.- An estate. 1 Peter 1:3-5.

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

Our “Estate” –1 Peter 1:3-5

• Incorruptible• Undefiled• Never Fades• Reserved

Our “Estate” –1 Peter 1:3-5

• Incorruptible• Undefiled• Never Fades• Reserved

SIN’S WORD PICTURESSIN’S WORD PICTURES

• Disease. Jas. 5:16; Matt. 13:15

• Filth. 2 Peter 2:20

• Stain. Isaiah 1:18

• Disease. Jas. 5:16; Matt. 13:15

• Filth. 2 Peter 2:20

• Stain. Isaiah 1:18

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

Revelation 21:10-27

“Brilliance”“Precious stones”

“Measured w/ Golden Rod”Walls are Impenetrable

“The Lord God Almighty”“Its light is the glory of God”

21:27 - “and nothing unclean shall ever come into it, only

those whose names are written in the

Lamb’s book of life.”

REASONS FOR GOING TO HEAVEN

• The Godhead will be there.- The Father, the Son, the Teacher (HS).

• Because of its nature.- An estate. 1 Peter 1:3-5.

• Because my treasure is there.- Matt. 6:19-21.

REASONS FOR GOING TO HEAVEN

• Because my citizenship is there.- Phil 4:3; Luke 10:17-20.

• Because my hope is there.- 1 Cor. 15:19.

REASONS FOR GOING TO HEAVEN

• The Godhead will be there.• Because of its nature.• Because my treasure is there.• Because my citizenship is there.• Because my hope is there.• Because my full redemption will be

realized.

- Rom. 8:18-23.

“FUTURE RECOGNITION”

Will I recognize my friendsWill I recognize my friendsand loved ones when I getand loved ones when I get

to heaven?to heaven?

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

“Gathered to his people…”

• Genesis 25:8-9.• Ishmael - 25:17• Isaac - 35:29• Jacob - 49:33• Moses - Deut. 33:50• Josiah - 2 Kgs. 22:20

“Gathered to his people…”

• Genesis 25:8-9.• Ishmael - 25:17• Isaac - 35:29• Jacob - 49:33• Moses - Deut. 33:50• Josiah - 2 Kgs. 22:20

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

“You will rest with your fathers…”

• Deut. 31:16.• Not physical body, 34:6.• Sequence: “he died … gathered to his people … body buried.”

“You will rest with your fathers…”

• Deut. 31:16.• Not physical body, 34:6.• Sequence: “he died … gathered to his people … body buried.”

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

“Gathered” defined.

• “Collecting of souls is distinguished from both death and burial” – Gesenius’ Hebrew & Chaldee Lexicon.• Being received by one’s own people; among them.

“Gathered” defined.

• “Collecting of souls is distinguished from both death and burial” – Gesenius’ Hebrew & Chaldee Lexicon.• Being received by one’s own people; among them.

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

“Gathered” defined.

• In NT, received into Abraham’s bosom, or, of sitting down with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob in kingdom of heaven (Lk 13:28). (Wilson’s OT Word Studies).

“Gathered” defined.

• In NT, received into Abraham’s bosom, or, of sitting down with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob in kingdom of heaven (Lk 13:28). (Wilson’s OT Word Studies).

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

“Gathered” defined.

• 2 Kings 22:20.• A source of comfort.• What comfort if he could not recognize his fathers?• Dwell in eternity as a total stranger?

“Gathered” defined.

• 2 Kings 22:20.• A source of comfort.• What comfort if he could not recognize his fathers?• Dwell in eternity as a total stranger?

REALM OF THE DEADREALM OF THE DEAD

1 Samuel 28:19

• Samuel (from the dead) to king Saul.• “…tomorrow you and your sons will be with me”• Saul and sons would be in Hades, realm of departed spirits.

1 Samuel 28:19

• Samuel (from the dead) to king Saul.• “…tomorrow you and your sons will be with me”• Saul and sons would be in Hades, realm of departed spirits.

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

Objections considered:

• Would you be happy in heaven knowing some of your friends and relatives are not there?

• Answer: If I can’t recognize anyone in heaven I would be forever uncertain if any of them made it!

Also, Rev. 21:4 – God will wipe away every tear.

Objections considered:

• Would you be happy in heaven knowing some of your friends and relatives are not there?

• Answer: If I can’t recognize anyone in heaven I would be forever uncertain if any of them made it!

Also, Rev. 21:4 – God will wipe away every tear.

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

Objections considered:

• Matt. 22:30 – For in the resurrection they…are like angels of God in heaven.

• Answer: This passage proves the point. Angels are distinguished from each other and even given names.

Also, No “marriage” in heaven but married to the Lamb of God – Rev. 19:7-9.

Objections considered:

• Matt. 22:30 – For in the resurrection they…are like angels of God in heaven.

• Answer: This passage proves the point. Angels are distinguished from each other and even given names.

Also, No “marriage” in heaven but married to the Lamb of God – Rev. 19:7-9.

THE NATURE OF HEAVENTHE NATURE OF HEAVEN

Our present hope.

• 2 Sam. 12:15-23. After the death of David’s child – I shall go to him but he shall not return to me.

• What comfort if David couldn’t recognize his child from mine?

• Luke 13:28.• 1 John 3:2.• Rev. 22:4.

Our present hope.

• 2 Sam. 12:15-23. After the death of David’s child – I shall go to him but he shall not return to me.

• What comfort if David couldn’t recognize his child from mine?

• Luke 13:28.• 1 John 3:2.• Rev. 22:4.

““Shall we gather at the river…”Shall we gather at the river…”

We are bidding brothers and sisters We are bidding brothers and sisters in Christ to look for us on the margin in Christ to look for us on the margin of the river of life, when our earthly of the river of life, when our earthly journey is completed.journey is completed.

REASONS FOR GOING TO HEAVEN

• The Godhead will be there.• Because of its nature.• Because my treasure is there.• Because my citizenship is there.• Because my hope is there.• Because my full redemption will be

realized.• Because all the redeemed will be there.