10)
Matthew 28:19-20: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
John 13:34-36: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 12:28: “Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
1 Peter 1:13-16: “With minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”
2 Peter 3:10-14: “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth. Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.”
11a) This can be challenging because we can get caught up in our day-to-day living/struggles that we forget that we belong in heaven. Rejoicing always is hard; praying continually is hard; being grateful is hard. We have to try every day to move towards that however, and baby steps are ok!
b) I need God’s help in what to do with my time, my calling, and my purpose. What does He want from me? I need to be better at loving people, making disciples of nations, being thankful, and more.
Such powerful words here. Trying to be holy and do good in this world is challenging. But, as long as I’m making some daily progress, I am grateful.
The above commands are great to add to our daily prayers. “Lord, help me to be more loving, be more holy, more grateful, more evangelical, etc. Show me how.”
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7) 1 Corinthians 15:42-44: Our bodies will be raised in glory and power. It will be a spiritual body. I truly don’t care what I look like in heaven; I just want to be there. However, it gives me some idea of what heaven will be like.
1 John 3:2: We shall be like Christ. This is so encouraging! We all strive to be Christ-like here, but we’ll only really be like Christ in heaven!
Revelation 22:1-5: A river will flow from the throne of God and Jesus down the middle of the great street in New Jerusalem. The tree of life stood on each side of the river, offering fruit and healing. There will be no curse. The throne of God and Jesus will be in the city and his servants will serve him. They will see his face and they are marked with his name on their foreheads. There will be no more night, only light. And they will reign forever. This offers such hope because the place is so beautiful and magnificent and God and Jesus will be there. It gives us all something to look forward to.
8 ) Their spirits are in heaven with God awaiting the resurrection of their bodies when Christ returns to earth at the Second Coming.
9a) I can share the truth by speaking about the saving power of Jesus and by living a Godly life where others can see God through me.
b) My sister-in-law, co-workers, and others I meet.
I love thinking about heaven and what it will be like there. I love to travel, so this will be a wonderful adventure indeed!
Such power and hope in God’s words. While heaven is wonderful to envision for believers, we cannot forget our calling to share the Gospel with others. I find that simply being God-like is one of the best ways to do this.
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5a) We all know the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 where the serpent/devil tempts Eve to eat the apple and then she convinces Adam to do so, too. Paul says in Romans 8:18-23 that creation was subjected to frustration and is now in bondage and decay because of sin. All of creation has been groaning with the pains of childbirth and the Spirit groans until it is redeemed.
b) I am saddened by sin’s impact on the world. It has brought evil, corruption, pain, fear, sadness, tears, war, violence, murder, pride, and so much more.
6) Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us that eternity is in our hearts and we long for it. Heaven is only full of goodness and love; earth is full of evil and hatred. Who wouldn’t want to forever be with God, goodness, and love?
All I know is heaven will be such a contrast with life on earth that none of us can imagine it.
I do long for heaven, but I know I still have a purpose here to fulfill. I think as I get older I will long for it more. I do love knowing where I am going!
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3) I picture a lion and a sheep lying down together. I picture nothing but smiles and happiness. I picture a lot of people. I think of the words hope, contentment, happiness, joy, and worship. I see everyone worshipping God and Jesus. Heaven is often portrayed as clouds and angels with halos.
4)
John 14:1-4: Jesus tells us that heaven has many rooms. This makes me think of houses in heaven where people live.
1 Corinthians 13:12: We shall see God’s face in heaven and know everything. This makes me think God will be everywhere, and we can talk to Him whenever we want.
Revelation 21:1-5: John describes the New Jerusalem. God sits on a throne and dwells with us. This tells me that God will be the center of everything we do, and He will still rule as He does here.
Thinking of heaven is fun, but I’m always hesitant to do so since we don’t know all that much about it. And, culture has so perverted it that it’s hard to get those images of angels on clouds out of your mind.
The only thing I need to truly know about heaven is that God will be there, and that’s where I want to be!
Of course, I want all of my family to be there, as well as my animals! I can’t wait to pet them all one day and forever have them by my side!
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John tells us that a river will flow from the throne of God and Jesus down the middle of the great street in New Jerusalem. The tree of life stood on each side of the river, offering fruit and healing. There will be no curse. The throne of God and Jesus will be in the city and his servants will serve him. They will see his face and they are marked with his name on their foreheads. There will be no more night, only light. And they will reign forever.
12) A river will flow from the throne of God and Jesus down the middle of the great street in New Jerusalem. The tree of life stood on each side of the river, offering fruit and healing. The throne of God and Jesus will be in the city and his servants will serve him. They will see his face and they are marked with his name on their foreheads. There will be no more night, only light. And they will reign forever. You’ll find the Tree of Life and the rivers of water referenced here: Genesis 3:22-24, Isaiah 48:18, Zechariah 14:8, Ezekiel 47:1-9, Psalm 46:4-5
13a) They ate of the Tree of Knowledge, which was evil, which God had told them not to eat from.
b) God’s people regain the Tree of Life. This is such encouragement because God meant for us to always have the Tree of Life and now we’ll get it back! I love seeing God’s future plans and looking forward to them! We are restored!
I love how the Tree of Life was the center of the Garden of Eden and it’s prominent in New Jerusalem. How great is our God!
Rivers in the Old Testament were always seen as places of provision and peace. Since water is essential for life, it is always welcome!
Many Bible scholars see the Tree of Life as being large enough to span the river. Others see it as many trees.
Regardless, the Tree of Life represents restoration in New Jerusalem.
There is food in heaven! Many people believe that we can eat in heaven but we won’t have to to survive. We saw Jesus eat (Luke 24:41-43, John 21:12-14) and angels eat (Genesis 18:6-8).
Healing here means giving health. The nations will be given health.
These could all be symbols, too, and not actually in heaven.
There will be no more curse! There still can be curses in the millennial earth (Isaiah 65:20), but not here!
We will still serve God in heaven, but not toil.
We will see God always. Many think this is because sin will no longer block us from his view and from him.
We will be identified with Him (his name on our foreheads). Heaven on earth shall never end.
The Bible opens with the Fall and ends with our eternal Restoration. How magnificent! Paradise lost but regained!
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