Understanding the Present Heaven

Week Two

I heard a story recently that I can’t get out of my mind. A woman going through some tough situations would not allow herself to get discouraged. She said, “God’s plan is bigger than this.”

Just think about that for a minute. Whatever happens in life (whether good or bad—from our perspective), we can be assured that God is working out a wonderful plan. And His master plan for a believer's life is to be with Him in a real place called Heaven. That excites me!

Are you enjoying your Bible study about Heaven? You may be like one of my friends who just purchased the book that we’re using (Heaven by Randy Alcorn). The wonderful thing about doing an online study is that we can each do it at our own individual pace.

Okay, let’s dive into Week Two:

Day One (Week Two)—What is the Significance of the Future Heaven?

I really liked Alcorn’s analogy about a layover in an airport and our life on earth.

He compared having a layover in Dallas (while on your way to your inheritance—a beautiful home in Santa Barbara, California) to having a "layover" on earth (while on your way to Heaven).

When you first board the plane, Alcorn explains, the ticket agent would ask where you are going. And you would say, “Santa Barbara” not “Dallas.”

“If you mentioned Dallas at all,” Alcorn says (page 33), “you would only say, ‘I am going to Santa Barbara by way of Dallas.’”

When I went through this study with friends in the fall, we had fun reminding one another that we’re “just in Dallas now."


How did you answer the question on page 35, “How would you explain each of the different states of Heaven? – the past Heaven, the present Heaven, and the eternal Heaven”?

Thinking of earth as eventually being the eternal Heaven has been a fairly new thought for me. When I turn to Romans 8:15-24, I am reminded that creation will one day be set free.

No matter how tough times may get, it’s wonderful to be remember the eternal hope we have as believers. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

Day Two (Week Two)—What is the Significance of the Future Heaven?

Alcorn bring us to Genesis 1-3, where “we see that earth was Heaven’s backyard.”

Would you like to walk and talk with God as Adam and Eve did? As believers we will do this one day—to me, this is mind-boggling! What a hope and future we each have! (page 36)

What is the significance of the New Jerusalem? Sometimes I get so caught up in this daily life I forget that the New Jerusalem is a real place. Alcorn reminds us of details that are given about it in Scripture. “The city’s exact dimensions,” he says, “measure the equivalent of 1400 miles” (Rev. 21:15-17). He goes on to say that the New Jerusalem will have all of the advantages that we associate with earthly cities but no disadvantages. No one will lock doors in the New Jerusalem. There won’t be any violence, pornography, drugs, etc.

I love the idea (page 38) that “the Artist’s fingerprints will be seen everywhere in the great city.” Yes, everywhere!

And what’s the River of Life?

Revelations 22:1-2a says, “The river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.”

Alcorn asks if we can imagine this? I really can’t imagine how wonderful it will be. However, my husband and I have visited the White River (in Arkansas) many times and love it’s beauty and sense of calm.

Just imagining Heaven and the River of Life makes me think of the song “I Can Only Imagine" and the lyrics asking what it will be like to be surrounded by God's glory.

We have much to look forward to!

Day Three (Week Two)—Is the Present Heaven a Physical Place?

Alcorn begins this day’s lesson with a discussion of the nature of heaven. “Saying that God is spirit,” he says, “is very different from saying that Heaven is spirit.” He goes on to add that God created Heaven and that we shouldn’t derive assumptions about Heaven from the nature of God. I thought it was really interesting when he said that it’s not a problem for infinite God to dwell wherever man dwells, but the question is whether finite man can exist outside of time and space. What did you think about this?

On page 42 of the study, Alcorn says, “We should stop thinking of Heaven and earth as opposites and view them as overlapping circles that share certain commonalities.”

When I see a brilliant sunrise or sunset, watch crashing waves, cradle a newborn baby, watch a butterfly emerge from a cocoon, or see a hummingbird sip nectar from a flower I am reminded of Heaven and of our amazing, creative God.

What elements in nature remind you of Heaven?

1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “It is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.’”

Alcorn suggests that we go for a walk (or look at some pictures of nature, and pick out elements that still reflect the beauty and design of paradise. Why don’t we do this over the next few days and share with one another?

Day Four (Week Two)—Do People Have Bodies in the Present Heaven?

So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.—Revelation 10:9-10

According to the above scripture, the Apostle John could speak, hear, grasp, taste, and eat when he visited Heaven. He must have had a physical body.

Alcorn goes on to remind us that the resurrected Christ now dwells in heaven. Jesus’ resurrected body was physical and “this same, physical Jesus ascended to Heaven. … If Christ’s body in the present Heaven has physical properties, it stands to reason that others in Heaven would have physical forms as well, even if only temporary ones. It also makes sense that other aspects of the present Heaven would have physical properties.” (page 45-46)

Alcorn asked us to read Luke 16:19-31 about the rich man and Lazarus. Both the rich man and Lazarus had physical forms.

Day Five (Week Two)—What Is Life Like in the Present Heaven?

Alcorn says on pages 50-51, “We’ll all likely remember much more in Heaven than we do on earth, and we will probably be able to see how God and His angels intervened on our behalf when we didn’t realize it.”

It will be so exciting to hear of the countless times and ways that God and His angels intervened on behalf me and my family. There have been some times in my life when I have recognized that God divinely intervened in situations, but there have been far too many others times that I am not aware of.

Luke 15:7 says there is rejoicing in Heaven when a sinner repents. Party will take on a whole new meaning in eternity.

And on page 52 Alcorn reminds us that there will be no more tears or pain “after the old order of things has passed away” and there’s no more suffering on earth (Revelations 21:4). Then he goes on to add, “the present and eternal Heavens are not the same.”

Although those now in heaven are filled with great joy worshipping God and living in a sinless environment, they are still looking forward to Christ’s return—just as you and I should.

Whatever comes across your path and mine today, may we remember the analogy given in Day One—We’re just in Dallas—on our way to our real destination.

Yes, we’re on an exciting journey to an indescribably wonderful place called Heaven.

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com
http://wanttostudythebible.blogspot.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

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