HEAVEN – MY VISION

It is the Father’s pleasure to make us realize that our existence in Heaven is but a continuance of the former like, only without its imperfections and its cares.  Human friendships made in this world are enduring in the next. Heaven will be full of glory of God’s presence and blessings with none of the problems of this present world.

Heaven is a place where its inhabitants continue to learn and to develop. We bring to this life the same tastes, desires, and knowledge we had in the earthly life.  That’s  why we must be saved and continue to show the “Evidence of Salvation”. What would be the use of our oft-times long lives, given the pursuit of certain worthy and legitimate knowledge, if at death it all counts for nothing and we were to begin this next life on a wholly different line of thought and study?  We are building for eternity during our earthly life. The purer the thoughts, the nobler the ambitions, the loftier the aspirations, the higher the rank we take among the hosts of heaven. The more earnestly we follow the studies and duties in our life of probation, the better fitted we shall be to carry them forward, on and on to completion and perfection there. The basis of this is found in  Matthew 6:19-21 Talks about laying up Treasures in Heaven. Verse 20 –“Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven where neither moth or rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal”. (No thieves in Heaven, so it seems to be saying we have these treasures there.)

Revelations 22:18 warns not to add to anything to the prophecy found here.

Revelations 22:19 states not to take words away from this book of prophecy.

This is a direct aim at the various religions of the world and those rewriting materials, literature, and hymns that compromise the message so as not to offend anyone. However, reading between the line to try to understand what is in the Bible is not only okay but part of what God wants us to study. We must just not change, omit, or contradict the Bible.

OUR BODIES IN HEAVEN

We go to Heaven in basically the same basic state that we leave this earth.  Our bodies are free from illness, pain and are younger in appearance. Then our bodies are transformed to a Glorious form but we are very recognizable. The Bible does not describe our new form except in I John 3:2 (..When He appears, we –believers- shall be like him). We will have certain powers of locomotion; rising above towns and forest areas without fear of falling and able to travel great distances. Revelations 21:24. Children will still be children but will grow in knowledge and form.  There will be no pain, suffering, morning or death. Revelations 21:4.

HOUSES IN HEAVEN

“In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.”

There will be many, many separate houses with many rooms where some family members will live together.  Each person will have their own separate large room in their house. There will places to rest and study.  Houses will be located next to or close by other relatives and friends. The houses will be magnificent, with marvel halls, precious jewels- clear as crystal will also decorate them. Rev. 21:10-11.  There will be gorgeous gardens with many types of never-fading flowers. Streams will run along side the houses, with balconies over-looking the vast gardens and streams. There will also be shade trees, fruit trees, walks, and streets made of gold and precious stones. The Master will have free access and come to visit individuals often.

RELATIONSHIPS

            We will know everyone in Heaven that we knew on earth. As said before, some will share houses based on the Master’s plan. Luke 16:9. We will know when our loved are coming and will meet them on the shore of the River of Life. Rev. 22:1. There will be many people on this River coming to Heaven, while there will be singing and dancing on the shores in celebration.  You will be able to socialize with friends and relatives all the time.

Matthew 22:29-30  “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures not the power of God. For in the RESURRECTION they neither marry, nor are given in marriage but are as the angels of God in Heaven”.  The Lord will be there to work out relationships that may cause us to question here on earth.   The Key here is the word Resurrection!  It is difficult to understand whether the Resurrection here is at the start of the Millennium or after the Millennium is over- but it seems that almost all agree that it is not the first resurrection on the third day after crucifixion. It seems to be saying that there would be definite relationships prior to this second Resurrection, which would be prior to the Rapture and the Tribulation.

ENVIRONMENT

The River of Life will be used to refresh and restore us to give us the powers of Heaven.  Rev. 22:1 Everything will be sterile, with no dust, dirt, debris, or anything unpleasant.  There will no unwelcome sounds.  Rev. 21:27  No evil will exist and no evil doers will be present. Rev. 21: 8 and 27. There will be no sun or moon, nor need for any. Rev. 21:23. The Lord’s Glory will light Heaven. There will be no night, it will become twilight but no darkness. Rev. 21:25. We can not drown in the water and water will have the substance of air. Trees of life will have 12 different types of great fruit and leaves to eat and use to heal.  Rev 22:2. So Verse 2 is saying that the curse on humanity from the Garden of Eden has been undone – for good!  River transportation will be used a lot, but you will be able to move through areas quickly and effortlessly on foot. There will be no Churches and no doctrines or separate religions. There will be the Great Temple where the Lord is. Rev. 21:22.

WHAT WILL WE WEAR

            We will all have fine linens, white and always clean. Rev. 19:8. They will stay clear and dry even if we go into the water.  They will dry immediately- no need to change. Of course, every thing we wear will be very modest. Revelations 22:14..

KNOWLEDGE

We will continue to learn from many sources.  There will teachers and books to continue our growth.  Children will need to be taught. Also there are those who professed their faith in the Lord just prior to leaving the Earth who will need to grow in the wisdom of the Lord.  Revelations 21:6. Our earthly knowledge will be used to assist the Lord’s work and to teach others. Revelations 22:3. Those who can teach –will.  Those who can sing will teach others and be part of the Choirs of Heaven. Those who can council will be used to help those who “just made it into Heaven” and may have some issues to prevent growth.  Those who have skills in building, making linens, or others such skills could be able to use those talents. Revelations 20:12.

ACTIVITIES

            There will be education and sessions by the Lord.  Revelations 21:9.There will be celebrations, singing, and dancing.  Many will be able to play musical instruments and there will be music in many places most of the time.  There will be talks by great earth pastors and leaders. We will be used to teach those who just became a Christian and the Children who prematurely entered Heaven. There will be those who will build houses, make linens, teach music,   manage books places, etc. There will be Colleges (Ken may be used here), schools, great lecture halls, libraries, and vast auditoriums.  We will sing praises to the Lord and learn from Him the secrets that we never knew previously. Rev.19:1. We will have supper with the Lord. Rev. 19:17.  The Lord will give us missions based on our “rewards” earned on earth and on our development in Heaven.  Daniel 12:3. We will be able to socialize with friends and family.  We will have separate face-to-face meeting with the Lord. Rev. 22:4.  In summary, we will continue to be used to do the things we have learned and are good at here on earth. Revelations 22:3.

CITIES, FORESTS, AND PARKS

            There will be a great city.  It will be 1,500 miles X 1,500 miles. Rev. 21:16. That city would stretch from the East Coast to the Mississippi River and from the Canadian Border to the Gulf of Mexico.  Angels measured this city and the gates and walls that surround the city. Rev. 21:15. The city will have 12 gates made of pearl- “Pearly Gates”. The walls will be made of Jasper, and precious stones for the foundations.  It will be a city of pure gold.  Rev. 21:18. There will be a great Temple where the Lord resides, outside of that city. Rev. 21:22. There will be many forests with nothing that will scare anyone nor contain any danger.  They will be an area of great joy and recreation. There will be many parks with walks, drives, fountains, small lakes, shaded seats with music being played at many intervals.  There will no buildings or dwellings in these parks.  There will be many open temples with seating for hundreds if not thousands.

WHAT WE WILL KNOW ABOUT EARTH & PEOPLE STILL THERE (Until  the end of the Millennium)

            The Lord, in individual meetings, will let us know the things we need to know, when we need to know them.  Revelations 22:5. We will not be able to see all things of Earth or we would see pain and suffering. We will not know what happens to those that don’t come to Heaven. Based on having no pain or suffering in Heaven,  it would seem that we would have no memory of those who do not accept the Lord (even after the Millennium – for all of eternity).

CHANGES WILL COME

After RESURRECTION (2^nd Resurrection)- the Bible  seems to be saying everything will change.  Rev.20:11.  Another earth will replace the one we know. Another Heaven will replace the one are that now exists. Rev. 21:1. It seems to be saying we  will take on Super powers –many as Jesus has but  not nearly as powerful, until then we are being prepared and used to prepare others. Revelations 22:14, and 22:16-17.

LASTING LESSON

Luke 16:9 “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of the unrighteousness; that, when we fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”  This means that we are to win souls to Christ and make friends of all types of people for eternity and meet them as they enter into Heaven.”

Daniel 12:3 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”  This means that we are given rewards in Heaven on many levels.  So it is a positive message to be as good as you can (Evidence of Salvation and The Authority of the Bible) and witness to as many souls for the Lord as possible.

My studies of Revelations first comes from the Bible, several books that I have read, and of course the 27 Scholars (including Billy Graham, Charles Dyer, Tim La Haye, Hal Lindsay and the author of  “Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically-Inept” Daymond R. Duck. (Remember I am not saying that the Bible states this vision explicitly, only that as you read between the lines my sources seem to be in agreement that this is man’s humble interpretation.

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This summary is provided to understand the meaning of the Book of Revelations- the last book in the Bible. Apostle John introduces his book as a revelation given to him by Jesus and pronounces a special blessing on those who read , hear and take to heart “the words of this prophecy”. The book is sent to the seven churches with which John has special ties and is dedicated to Jesus as coming Savior. This is the Coronation of a Savior! John now tells his story, while exiled to Patmos by the Roman emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96). John was praying one Sunday, when a voice instructed him to write what he was about to see. John turned and was given a vision of Jesus in His full glory, so awesome that John fell to the ground, stunned. Jesus lifted him up, identified Himself, and told John to write. NOTICE- Jesus touched and lifted John up .

Key Verses 1:5b-6.

The Revelation of Jesus. READ 1:1-In the N.T. revelation (unveiling of a mystery) is always used of a divine unveiling of something that has been hidden. Here Jesus is the one who discloses “what must soon take place” – and in the process reveals something of His glory.

Blessing. READ 1:1-The “one who reads” and “those who hear” refer to a public reading of the book in church. Because this is “prophecy”, in the sense of divine revelation, it merits immediate acceptance as Scripture. Because the revelation comes directly from the risen Jesus, it is of utmost importance.

 The seven churches. READ 1:1-. All seven were in the Roman province of Asia, now Asia Minor. They are listed in 1:11, and a message directed to each is found in Rev. 2 and 3. It describes the churches of John’s day- but they are also present churches, with good and bad qualities- all during the Church Age, which is from Pentecost (50 days after Jesus’ resurrection) to Rapture.

 Firstborn from the dead. READ 1:5aChrist’s resurrection is the pledge that we too will be raised. He was not only the first, He is the One who has supreme authority over the vast family of faith destined to follow Him.

 Doxology to Christ.  READ 1:5b-6Here is some of the most powerful praise found in the Bible, celebrating Christ’s love, the forgiveness won for us by His blood, and the exalted position to which He has raised us.

 John’s Exile.READ 1:7-10- Tradition agrees that as an old man John was exiled during the reign of Domitian and that he wrote Revelation from Patmos, an island off the coast of Asia Minor, probably in the mid A.D. 90’s.

 The Vision of Jesus. READ 1:7-10-Each element in the seven-element description of the glorified Christ has symbolic significance. The white head and hair reflect Daniel 7:9 and symbolize wisdom and judgment. The eyes of blazing fire reflect Daniel 10:6 and may indicate a penetrating gaze or perhaps the fierceness of the judgment to come. The feet of glowing metal reflect a common O.T. symbol of God’s glory, found in Ezek. 1:13, 27; 8:2; and Dan. 10:6. The voice like rushing waters is a familiar simile in Jewish writings for the power of God’s voice, repeated in Rev. 14:2 and 19:6. Anyone who has heard a thundering waterfall can sense why. The doubled edged sword may reflect Isa. 11:4, which is again a portrait of final judgment. Overall, John’s language serves to express the awesomeness of the glorified Christ’s appearance and the unity of this book with O.T. prophetic books that describe history’s end.

 First and the Last. READ 1:17 This title granted to God in Isa. 44:6 and 48:12 affirms Jesus as Lord of Creation and Master of history.

The keys of death and Hades READ 1:18- . Keys were a symbol of authority. Jesus has full control over every realm.

The key to interpreting Revelation. READ 1:19-20- Many understand verse 19 to provide the key to understanding Revelation. “What you have seen” is John’s vision of Jesus, found in chapter1. “What is now” is reflected in the letters Christ dictates, to be sent to the seven Asia Minor churches, found in chapters 2 and 3. And “what will take place later” is a vision of history’s end, correlated with the O.T. prophet’s vision of that time, found in chapters 4-21, which is the Tribulation, the Millennium, and then the New Heaven and the New Earth.

These end events will not be fulfilled until the Church Age is over- or when the Rapture occurs. To close let’s hear Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:10-“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.” (NIV)

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Different Look at the Millennium

Imagine a TV nature show where you see a lion sneaking up on a bale of hay instead of an antelope or a sheep (Isaiah chapter 11).  During the Millennium, peace will rule the earth -including the animals. Christ’s Kingdom will be characterized by peace, prosperity, purity, prolonged life and personal joy.

Rapture                        Second Coming

Old Testament l Church Age l Seven Year Tribulation l Thousand Year Millennium l Eternal State- Heaven

Almost everyone knows the lyrics to Isaac Watts’ famous hymn, “Joy to the World’, but few people realize that it is not really a Christmas hymn. To dissect the words of the hymn in sections will explain why by asking four questions for the first four sections: 1) Did mankind receive the king when Jesus was born at Bethlehem?  2) Has nature rejoiced at the coming of Christ? 3) Has the curse been lifted from the earth? 4)Is Jesus ruling the nations of the world?

The words of this great hymn more accurately describe the coming Millennium, the time when Christ will rule over the earth at His second coming, not His first. The Millennium will be a foretaste of the heavenly state that is to follow. Revelation 20:1-10 is the central passage in the Bible on the Millennium and will be our focus in this article. “Millennium” doesn’t occur in our English Bibles, but the reference to a thousand-year period of time does- six times in Revelation 20:1-10. The Millennium is a period of one thousand years that begins with Christ’s second coming to earth. He establishes His kingdom in Jerusalem and brings in a period of peace and justice on earth.

Part #4 will tell us the real purposes of the Millennium- soon!!

Three Alternative Views of the Millennium

 

Church history has seen three differing views of the Millennium kingdom: Premillennialism, A-millennialism, and Postmillennialism. Pre-millennium is the belief that the second coming of Christ will occur prior to the millennium age. This is the view accepted by an over-whelming number of biblical scholars who take the Scriptures literally and at face value whenever possible. Some believe the world is going to become more and more “Christianized”, and that kingdom of Christ will gradually evolve. In this scenario, Jesus would return at the end of the millennium to an already righteous earth. This is known as the Postmillennialism- which is totally contrary to what Jesus told John to record in Revelation. A third viewpoint, known as a-millennialism, is the result of a nonliteral or spiritualized interpretation of Scripture that teaches that the millennium is not an earthly kingdom at all but rather a description of Christ’s current reign from heaven. Again, this is not what Jesus told John.

Premillennialism

Early Christians were unquestionably pre-millennialists. The disciples and those they taught anticipated the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on earth in their lifetime. Detractors of the pre-millennial view claim that it is relatively new theory. But scholars have demonstrated that pre-millennialism was the dominant view during the first three centuries of the early church. Pre-millennialists believe that the rapture, the Tribulation, and the glorious appearance of Christ will all occur before the beginning of the millennium.  And during the millennium, Satan will be bound for 1,000 years and a theocratic kingdom of peace on earth will ensue, with Jesus as its king. The righteous will have been raised from the dead prior to the millennium and will participate in its blessing (Rev. 20;4).

Toward the end of third century, an allegorical approach to Scripture began to dominate theological thought. Philosophy replace the study of Scripture, and pre-millennialism fell into disrepute. Not until after the Reformation was there a revival of pre-millennial thought. Later, in the nineteenth century, Bible institutes and Christian schools across America began to emphasize a literal interpretation of the Bible, and with it, a return to pre-millennialism. Today, despite continued attacks, pre-millennialism is the dominant millennial view. The Pre-Millennial view is the oldest interpretation of Revelation 20:1-10 in church history and is embraced by more evangelical Christians today than any other view of the Millennium.

Amillennialism

Amillennisalists do not believe in a literal kingdom on the earth following the second coming of Christ. They tend to spiritualize and allegorize the prophecies concerning the millennium and attribute yet-unfulfilled prophecies relating to Israel to the church instead. Those to hold to amillennialism also believe that Satan was bound at Christ’s first appearance on earth 2,000 years ago- it is hard to believe that anyone truly believes that Satan is not in this world. Furthermore, its adherents differ as to whether the millennium is being spiritually fulfilled by the saints in heaven. However, they tend to agree that our current state of affairs is probably as good as it’s going to get and that the eternal state (heaven), not the millennial kingdom will immediately follow the second coming of Christ. Those who hold to this view do not adhere to a simple and plain literal interpretation of Scripture. So those with this view can point to no spiritual support to their theory.

Postmillennialism

Postmillennialism, the most recent of the three millennial views, was almost extinct by the middle of the twentieth century. Those who hold this perspective believe that the world will continue to get better and better until the entire world is Christianized, at which time Christ will return to kingdom already flourishing in peace (How is that going?). Although this view was popular at the beginning of the twentieth century, it was all but eliminated, because of the World Wars, the Great Depression, and the overwhelming escalation of moral evil in society. So many who previously held the postmillennial views adopted the amillennial position. However, postmillennialism currently is gaining some resurgence as a corollary to “preterism” and reconstructionism. It continues to promote the entrance of the kingdom prior to the return of the King.

So those with the postmillennialism views are getting closer to the Premillennialism view. The coming millennium will be the most incredible period in earth’s history. It will be a time of unprecedented peace, when those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be able to rule and reign along with their loving King. Only then will the kingdom of God finally be realized on earth. The True Holy Bible makes it clear that the Premillennium is the view described and is the one to which we can look forward.

The Targum (Aramaic paraphrase of the Old Testament), Talmud (a vast compendium of Jewish law and lore), and Midrash (an interpretive method to penetrate the deepest meaning of a Hebrew passage) all have concluded there will be a literal thousand-year period when the Messiah will reign on earth.

Look to part #3 soon.

MILLENNIUM

Other than the concept “Rapture”, Millennium may be the most misunderstood mystery in the Bible. Many have tried to explain it and even dismissed it as a fairy tale. However, the following will explain the concept and offer proof that is a promise from God.

The “Millennium”-what is it and from where did the concept come? The Old and New Testaments include references to the kingdom of the Messiah, long-anticipated rule and reign of the Lord Jesus Himself upon the earth. In fact, it is one of the most frequently mentioned subjects in the Bible. In Matthew 6:10, when Jesus taught His followers to pray, “Thy Kingdom come”, He was referring specifically to the time of this earthly reign, In the most incredible kingdom in all human history, Jesus, the anointed king, will have the nations for His inheritance (Psalm 2:8), “the wolf also shall dwell with the lame” (Isaiah 11:6), and the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:9).

How long will His earthly kingdom last? Only one chapter in the entire Bible reveals its duration- Revelation 20. “Blessed and holy is He who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” -Revelation 20:6. The kingdom is often referred to as the millennium, a name derived from the Latin words “mille” (meaning- one thousand) and “annum” (meaning- year).

Before the thousand reign of Jesus on earth, the Millennium, can begin, two things must happen: Jesus must return (Revelation 19:11-19), and Satan’s rule must come to an end. Revelation 20:1 states that an angel comes out of heaven with a key to the Abyss and holding a great chain in his hand. Revelation 20:2 says the angel seizes the devil or Satan and binds him for a thousand years.  The Millennium is needed to redeem creation. Revelation 20:3 states that the angel threw Satan into the Abyss, locked and sealed it over him until the thousand years were ended.

More to come in several other parts!