Page 292 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

HEAVEN

Other Biblical Names for Heaven. (1) Third heaven (2 waiting for His second coming (He. 10:12-13). (2) What
Co. 12:2). (2) Paradise (2 Co. 12:4; Lk. 23:43; Re. 2:7). Christians are doing: resting from their earthly labors
(3) Glory (Col. 3:4). (4) The highest (Lk. 2:14). (5) The (Re. 14:13); praising God (Re. 4:10-11); being
Father’s house (Jn. 14:2). (6) City of the living God (He. comforted (Lk. 16:25); enjoying paradise (Lk. 23:43; 2
12:22). (7) Heavenly Jerusalem (He. 12:22). Co. 12:3-4); serving the Lord (Re. 7:15); waiting for the
Who Lives in Heaven? (1) The living God (He. 12:22). completion of God’s plans (Re. 6:9-11); waiting for their
He is called the “God of heaven” 22 times (Ps. 136:26) resurrection bodies (1 Th. 4:14-16); observing Jesus’
and the “Lord of heaven” four times (Acts 17:24). (2) eternal glory (Jn. 17:24); learning and discussing
Angels innumerable (He. 12:22). (3) The spirits of mysteries (2 Co. 12:4); praising and talking about the
redeemed men (He. 12:23). (4) Jesus Christ (He. Lord (Ps. 145:1-11); rejoicing over people being saved
12:24). Jesus came down from heaven (Jn. 6:38) and on earth (Lk. 15:7, 10).
was received back up into heaven (Mk. 16:19) and will Books in Heaven. (1) The book of tears (Ps. 56:8),
return from heaven (Acts 1:11). Jesus is the “Lord from which is the book that records the believer’s trials,
heaven” (1 Co. 15:47). troubles, sorrow, and pain. (2) The book of births (Ps.
What Does the Believer Have in Heaven? (1) His name 139:16), which records the details of a person’s physical
is written there (Lk. 10:20). (2) His Father is there (Lk. characteristics before he is born. (3) The book of
11:2). (3) His mansion is there (Jn. 14:2). (4) His hope remembrance (Mal. 3:16), which records the
is there (Col. 1:5). (5) His Master is there (Col. 4:1). (6) conversations of those who speak of the Lord. (4) The
His “better and enduring substance” is there (He. book of life (Re. 20:12; Lk. 10:20), which is the list of
10:34). (7) The blood of the new covenant is there (He. the names of those who are saved. (5) The book of the
12:24). (8) His inheritance is there (1 Pe. 1:4). unbeliever’s works (Re. 20:12), in which are recorded
What Is Heaven Like? (1) It is a holy place—no sin or every sinful thought, word, and deed of those who are
evil (Ps. 20:6; 1 Co. 6:9-10; Re. 21:8, 27; 22:15). (2) It not written in the book of life.
is a place of worship (Re. 4:8-11). (3) It is a place of Do People Recognize One Another in Heaven? (1) Our
paradise (Lk. 23:43; 2 Co. 12:4; Re. 2:7). Things that names are recorded in heaven, and we will be known by
are there: Spectacular beauty (Re. 4:2-3; 21:18-21); our names (Lk. 10:20). (2) Moses and Elijah were
mansions (Jn. 14:2); a glorious throne (Re. 4:2-6); known by Peter even though he had never seen them
seven lamps of fire (Re. 4:5); glorious foundations and before (Mt. 17:3-4). (3) The rich man recognized
pavements (Re. 4:6; 15:2); wonderful creatures (Re. Lazarus and Abraham (Lk. 16:23). (4) The disciples
4:6-8); glorious music (Re. 5:11-14; 14:2; 15:2; 19:6); recognized Jesus after His resurrection, except when
golden altar of incense (Re. 8:3); angels flying (Re. their eyes were kept from recognizing Him (Jn. 21; Lk.
14:6); rest from earthly labors (Re. 14:13); white horses 24:16). (5) Our recognition will be perfect in heaven; it
(Re. 19:11, 14); wonderful rivers (Re. 22:1); wonderful is not reasonable to think that we will know less there
trees (Re. 22:2); ivory palaces (Ps. 45:8); lovely than on earth.
fragrances (Ps. 45:8); fullness of joy (Ps. 45:8); glorious What Should Be the Believer’s Attitude toward Heaven
clothing (Ps. 45:13-14; Da. 7:9; 10:5; Mt. 17:2; Re. Today? (1) We should set our minds on heaven (Col.
15:6). (4) It is a place of glory (Ps. 73:24). The Lord 3:1-3). (2) We should live holy lives fit for heaven (Col.
Jesus is the Lord of glory (1 Co. 2:8). Glory refers to 3:5; Ep. 5:8; 1 Pe. 2:11). (3) We should lay up treasures
kingly splendor and wealth (Mt. 6:29); God’s brilliant in heaven (Mt. 6:20; 1 Ti. 6:19). (4) We should act like
light (2 Ch. 7:1-3; Lk. 2:9; Mt. 17:1-3; Lk. 9:29-31; Re. citizens of heaven and pilgrims on earth (He. 11:13-16;
21:11, 23); great beauty (Is. 63:1); and the Ph. 3:20). (5) We should be certain of heaven (1 Jn.
manifestation of God’s unfathomable wisdom and 5:11-13). (6) We should be aware of heaven in our daily
power (Ps. 19:1). (5) It is a place without any lives (He. 12:1-2).
unpleasant thing. No sorrow, pain, or death (Re. 21:4), What Will Not Be in Heaven. The following is
no hunger or thirst (Re. 7:16), no darkness (Re. 22:5). abbreviated from the F.B.F. Bulletin, Jan.-Feb. 1989: (1)
(6) It is a place of service (Re. 22:3). (7) It is a place No More Sea (Re. 21:1). The sea represents danger,
where everyone is like Jesus (He. 2:10-11; Ro. 8:29; 1 peril, fear, distress, unrest, agitation, commotion,
Jn. 3:1-2). division, all of which will end in the New Heaven and
What Is Going on in Heaven Now? (1) What Jesus is New Earth. (2) No More Sorrow (Re. 21:4). (3) No
doing: enjoying the Father (Pr. 8:30; Jn. 1:1); More Sickness and Suffering (Re. 21:4). (4) No More
interceding for believers (Ro. 8:34; He. 7:25; 1 Jn. Darkness or Shadows (Re. 21:22; 22:5). (5) No More
2:1-2); overseeing the work of world evangelism (Mk. Sin (Re. 21:8, 27, 28; 22:15). (6) No More Curse (Re.
16:19-20); overseeing the churches (Re. 1; Ep. 22:3). Nothing that “defileth” will enter there, only
1:22-23); preparing a place for believers (Jn. 14:1-3); those whose names are written in the “Lamb’s book of

292 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity