Dr. M. DeWayne Anderson

HEAVEN

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Heven is a place that captures our attention.

Acts 1:9–11 (NKJV) Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” 

John 14:1–3 (NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you 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. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 

Most people want to go to heaven. 

Since sin entered, heaven is not our default destination. Jesus told us that the gate into heaven is narrow and few find it, but the path to destruction is very wide, (Matthew 7:13). Satan promotes a denial of the fact of an eternal hell. Yet, Jesus paid an awful price so that He might redeem our souls, (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Heaven is a place that captures our interest. We often think about going there. The hope of our life is in heaven. Many songs have been written about heaven. We sing them with hope in our hearts.

Heaven is a special land. I want to go to heaven! Heaven is a far grander place than the place Abraham found. Heaven is that happy home above, land of peace and love. Heaven is the city where the Lamb is the Light.

Heaven is that Beulah Land where the sweet perfume of the incense of praise is borne on the breeze of the tree of life. It is where the white-robed angels sing. Heaven is a place where the labors and trials of this life are over. There will be no tears in heaven  There will be… no sorrows, no sadness… In heaven all will be gladness. 

I want to go to heaven!

There is a place called heaven. Heaven is not just an imaginary or spiritual place. There is a real place called heaven. Heaven is a recognizable, physical, tangible place.Heaven is not an extension or construction of earthly thinking. Earth is the extension of Heaven. God in Heaven created the earth and all that is in it. We are not destined to spend eternity in a non-physical place.

Satan does not want you to believe that there is a real place called heaven.

John 8:44 (NKJV) He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 

Revelation 13:6 reveals some of Satan’s favorite lies. He opens his mouth to blaspheme against God and His name, His tabernacle and those who dwell in heaven. Satan does not want you to believe that there is a place called heaven. He was cast out of that wonderful land.

Heaven is the abode of God. The Bible gives significant information about heaven and the world to come. The streets of that holy place are paved with pure gold. The gates of heaven’s city are solid pearl. The Lamb of God is the light there. There is no night. There is no need of the stars or the moon or the sun. The glory of God is always about the throne. I want to go to heaven!

Ezekiel had a special revelation about heaven.

Ezekiel 1:26-28 (NKJV) And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking. 

I want to go to heaven! 

The appearance of the throne of God is as the appearance of a sapphire stone. Around about the throne is the radiant glory of God. That glory appears like a fire that does not consume. 

I want to go to heaven! The River of Life is there!

In Revelation 22, John said the angel showed him the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. On both sides of the river grows the tree of life. That tree of life has twelve kinds of fruit that yields fruit every month. Its leaves never wither. Its fruit never fails. God’s ceaseless provisions are for every season. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 

I want to go to Heaven! We like to talk about home. 

We have many fond memories of home. When we think of home, we think of comfort and security. We think of surroundings that are familiar and good. We remember the fellowship with loved ones. Life is great when you are around those who love you. We all love to be near those who care.

Heaven will be a place where no lonely hours will be spent. There is no loneliness in heaven. We will know and be known. 

I want to go to Heaven!

Revelation 21:1–7 (NKJV) Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 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.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” 

I want to go to Heaven! What kind of a place heaven must be

There will be no more death, sorrow, or crying. There will be no more sickness, pain, or dying. Think about this. Can you imagine people who are never angry, depressed, burdened or empty? Can you imagine a place where flowers never fade and the grass never withers? Can you imagine animals that are only happy and peaceful? Can you imagine a place where there is no fear, anger, terror, or hatred? Can you imagine a place where there is no more war, killing, or dying?

I want to go to Heaven! Some people say we cannot know what heaven is going to be like.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

Don’t stop reading there! When the Holy Spirit is working in us, He reveals some things to us.

1 Corinthians 2:10 (NKJV) But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 

The Holy Spirit wants you to know what God has prepared for you in heaven. When Paul was caught up into paradise, (2 Corinthians 12:2-4), he was shown inexpressible things that he could not tell. There has been enough told by John, Isaiah, and Ezekiel for us to know about that wonderful place. What we know is not even half of what has been prepared.

I want to go to heaven! There is a place in heaven for the mighty angels of God.

The angels of the Lord are about the throne. The Bible tells us that they are there. Abraham, Jacob, Israel, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, and John saw them. They were awesome in power and holiness. Daniel and John looked over into that wonderful land. They saw an innumerable host of tens of thousands of angels. (Daniel 7:10; Revelation 5:11)

These are the mighty ministers of Almighty God. The cherubim of God are the great covering and guarding angels. They are about the throne of God. They are the living creatures that guard the holy presence of Almighty God. The six-winged seraphim are standing above the throne of God, [Isaiah 6:27]. They lead the hosts of heaven in worship and praise to God Almighty. They purify God’s servants for acceptable service and worship. The numbers of angels are beyond human computation. Heaven is filled with the sound of their praise and activity. Throughout eternity, God’s angels have been singing songs of worship and praise to Almighty God. They sing, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!!! The angels of heaven are busy doing the biding of God Almighty. Throughout eternity they have been going here and there doing whatever God has commanded.

I want to go to heaven! When we all get to heaven the redeemed of the Lord will take over the worship.

The angels will have to sit in silence, as the redeemed of the Lord will sing about our salvation. Heaven will be filled with the sounds of God’s saints. We will worship where the Lamb of God is the Light. We will worship where the streets are purest gold. We will sing redemption’s story.

Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

There is a place in heaven for you and me.

John 14:1–3 (NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you 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. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 

Jesus has a place prepared for us. It is in the city of God. The mansions of God are there.

Jesus Christ our Lord is the only Door and He invites us to come in and dine with Him. I cannot begin to imagine what it will be like to sit at the Lord’s Table in heaven. I have had some wonderful meals down here on earth. I have sat at tables and have been served my food on some of the best china. I have eaten my food with some of the best silver that money can buy. I cannot imagine what heaven’s banquet table will be like. Jesus is ready to usher us into the inheritance of the saints.

I WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN!!! I don’t know where heaven is.

Someone said they did not believe in heaven, because they have never seen it. I believe there a place called Hawaii, but I have never been there. I believe there is a bottom to the ocean, but I have never seen it. There are many things I have not seen, but I know they are real. The Bible tells us heaven is on the sides of the north. I have never seen it, but, I want to go to heaven. The Bible tells us that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. I have a longing in my soul to go to a better country. Just like Abraham, I want to go to that city where God abides.

I WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN!

Colossians 3:1–2 (NKJV) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Keep on seeking heaven. Keep your focus on the place where Christ is. We are getting ready to leave this world of sorrow, pain, and trouble.

I WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN!!