Kent Bailey
In the presentation of the gospel of Christ we must present God’s truth, the entire truth, and nothing but the truth. Such preaching must glorify God the Father and His only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ. In the proclamation and defense of the truth of God we must encourage individuals to accept and obey the gospel of Christ, to live faithful lives. To those who having obeyed the gospel, but who have gone astray, we must exhort them to repent and return to God. Such can be accomplished by recognition of the importance in preaching on the Biblical Doctrine of Heaven.
There is a tremendous interest in Heaven. Such is the case unless one is an atheist, or an agnostic. Even those who are Non-Christians have an interest in Heaven. Thousands upon thousands of sermons have been preached upon this important topic. Thousands of religious songs have been sung about it. It has been the topic of unnumbered conversations and the subject of countless discussions.
It does not take a great deal of observation to note that that the term Heaven has been engraved on thousands of tombstones and niched in the walls of hundreds of mausoleums, as well as other types of structures. There have been numerous articles written about this topic as well various books published concerning it. It has been on the lips of faithful people of God as they have exchanged time for eternity. We are thus giving consideration to a subject in which there is both universal and eternal interest.
The Essence of Heaven
In consideration of our topic we certainly understand that it is both a condition and place. In our text introducing our subject we noted the words of Christ when he stated:
Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am ye may be also (John 14:1-3).
Because words speak with reference to that of adequate information we must conclude that Heaven is a very real place. We also take note of the reality that such is also conditioned by the presence of Christ. The scriptures make very clear of the greatness of the place and the beauty of such a condition (2 Cor. 5:1-8; Rev. 22:5).
What Will Not be in Heaven
Heaven is a place where after making entrance there will be no more tears (Rev. 21:4a). Heaven is a place where there will be no more death (Rev.21:4b). Heaven is a place where there will be no more sorrow, nor crying (Rev. 21:c). Heaven is a place where there will be no more pain because all of the former things of earthly existence will have passed away. Such indicates that eternal life in Heaven will be a totally different condition as to life on earth. We have become so condition to the temporal aspects of life that reality in eternity is difficult to grasp.
What Will be in Heaven
In addition to various things not being in Heaven the word of God in forms us as to what will be there. Christ informed us,
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon this earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust do not consume, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also (Matt. 6:19-21).
In this passage from the word of God, Christ was not stating nor implying that money nor that which currency may purchase is necessarily sinful. Christ was teaching about both the proper and improper attitudes toward that which we have materially in the present life. Let us remember that the greatest treasures of life are not material in nature.
One of the greatest treasures one can lay up in Heaven is our faithfulness to Christ (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Another great treasure is our accomplishments for the cause of truth. All of God’s faithful people who have fought the good fight and have kept the faith and have finished the course will join with the apostle Paul in awaiting the crown of righteousness, which is also the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). The joy of eternal and the opportunity to be in the presence of God for all of eternity will indeed be the treasure of all time. We will have no need of anything in eternal glory. God has made provision for everything that the faithful child of God will need for eternity. Think of the joy which is offered to be a participant within the glories of Heaven (Rev. 22:1-5).
Who Will not be in Heaven
It is certainly not our perogative to ascend to the judgment seat of God. God through His only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ is the final and righteous Judge of the totality of all of humanity. However, to be faithful to God we must accept what He has already so judged in the plenary and verbally inspired word. In 2 Thessalonians 1:4-12 we are informed that those who do not know God and obey not the gospel of Christ will be excluded from the glories of Heaven. These individuals will be punished with everlasting fire being the subjects of God’s divine and holy wrath. Those who formerly knew God and had obeyed the gospel of Christ, but who after becoming Christians, walked away from divine truth, will also be the subjects of eternal punishment (2 Pet. 2:20-22). An adequate description of those who are lost are described in Revelation 21:8.
Who will be in Heaven
We note in Revelation 21:3, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Regarding the inhabitants of glory: God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit will be there; the holy angels of God will be there; those who were never accountable and who have never been stained by sin will be there; the faithful Old Testament saints of God will be there; and those who comprise the faithful element of the bride of Christ, the New Testament church will be there as well (Rev. 21:2). The key word to commit to our memory is the term preparation. All accountable individuals must make adequate preparation to live with Deity and all of the faithful, who belong to Christ in eternity. Obey the saving gospel of Christ today. Remain faithful to God throughout your life. If you are unfaithful repent of your sins, return to Christ and be restored to his fellowship before it is too late.
