LESSON #8

HEAVEN

To have a suitable place for those that love Him is to be expected from a God of love and grace.  We close this section of studies on the future with a lesson on that place – Heaven.  "In the ages to come" (Ephesians 2:7) God has this as the final home for His children.

Such a marvelous place!  Read 1 Corinthians 2:9 to sense how marvelous and indescribable it is.  When John saw it in Revelation 21, he describes it with awe in the most glowing terms possible with man.

Heaven is more than a pleasant thought.  Consider the facts that we learn from God's word.

1.	The Lord's throne is in heaven.  Psalm 11:4
2.	Heaven is a real place.  John 14:1-3
3.	Heaven is where Christians go at death.  2 Corinthians 5:8
4.	Heaven is better than earth.  Philippians 1:21-23
5.	Christians are citizens of Heaven.  Philippians 3:20
6.	Revelation 21:9-27 gives us a description of heaven.  Make your own list of what John saw.
7.	Christians have an inheritance waiting for them in heaven.  1 Peter 1:4

The most common question about heaven is not about streets, gates and size.  It is, "Will I know my loved ones when I get there?".  Let me state some facts that seem to establish certainty in that matter.  Heaven is not a place of darkness and blindness, but of light and sight.  We shall not know less there, but more.  When Peter, James and John went with Jesus to the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9) they seemed to recognize Moses and Elijah whom they had never met.  How much more shall we know our loved ones in glory!

The old song says "Everybody talking 'bout heaven ain't a-goin' there".  The grammar may be poor; but the truth is accurate.  Jesus is the only way to heaven.  John 14:6 teaches me that I will be there because of Him.