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     In previous articles we considered Jesus’ statement that “those who have done evil,” or those who have been unfaithful to God, will rise from the dead, to a “resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:29).  And their destiny will be eternal separation from God in Hell, a place of unthinkable anguish.  And, we very briefly considered the mystery revealed in the New Testament that those who enjoy the “resurrection of life” (those who were faithful to Jesus), will have an eternal body made for the spiritual world, not this present realm (1 Corinthians 15:35-49).  We also considered where they will reside — heaven where God dwells.

     The Bible does not reveal a lot about heaven.  Likely if God told us, it will be so marvelous, we would not comprehend it.  After all most of our understanding comes from observation.  Supremely important then is God’s revelation to us — the Bible.  Most of what we know of heaven is in Revelation, the last book of the Bible.
     That heaven is not of this material universe with its sun, planets, etc. is evident.  “There shall be no night there:  They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light.  And they shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).  What will life be like in heaven?

     God gives us one succinct passage about it — “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).  However the implication is there will be no more troubles, no uncertainty, no disease, no hunger (physical or spiritual), no depression, and no fear in heaven.  It will be eternal bliss.
     It is occasionally asked, “Will I know my loved ones in heaven?”  However, the first question is, will they be in heaven?  Will you be in heaven?  Do you know the certainty of that from the Bible?  Have you become a Christian?  If so are you living for Christ according to His New Testament?  Many, if not most think they will be there, but they will be lost eternally.

     One can not feel or merely think he has eternal life.  The apostle John wrote, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life....” (1 John 5:13).  That implies a person must study the New Testament to be certain, one has eternal life.

     Jesus revealed this weakness of one merely thinking he is saved, but in reality is not — “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

     He also said most will be lost -“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).  Time for self examination, the most important examination in your life (2 Corinthians 13:5)!

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