4_what Is Heaven Like

TOPIC NO.: 4 TOPIC: What is Heaven? ( Ref: Book of Hope) Most people don’t want to comprehend much about what is beyond this life on earth. Many think it is the end once we die. But the Bible is clear that there is hope for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ himself promised that in his Father’s house he is preparing a place for us. The Father’s house is the Heaven. What does the heaven look like? (Ask people opinions, be sensitive to all opinions) I personally think it cannot be comprehended unless we see it for ourselves. But the Bible gives an idea of how it looks. Let us look at some passages that talk about it? Revelation 7:9-17 9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" 13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes-who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." NIV Revelation 4 1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." NIV What are some things about heaven that these passages show? 1. Heaven is a place of no sorrow and no pain. 2. It is a place of splendor. 3. A place of no hunger and thirst. 4. A place that is holy 5. A place where multitude of people would be gathered. 6. There would be an atmosphere of submission and reverence to Lord God Almighty. 7. etc Comparing this with the idea that we had earlier how is it different? (A little deep ended) Shared thoughts and comparisons made. Who will go to heaven?

(Shared thoughts, Do not correct anyone thoughts) Let us look and see what the bible says about who will go to heaven. In this passage Jesus himself is talking to his disciples. John 14:1-13 1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." 9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. NIV What are some things that Jesus promises for those who believe Him? He has prepared a place for those who believe Him. Jesus also said that he is in the Father and the Father is in him. Put your faith in Jesus and he promises they will be able to do everything. What is the way to heaven according to this passage? We talked about heaven being Father’s place and Jesus clearly mentions that He is the only way, truth and the life to go to the Father. If you know Jesus you will know the Father and you will make your way to heaven.