" After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”" (Revelation 4:1-8, NKJV)
On Sunday mornings at LABC we going through the Book of Revelation verse by verse. We have now reached chapter four in which John gets a glimpse of Heaven. In preparation for this Sunday’s sermon I came across an article that I thought would shed some light on the subject.
Christianity Today published an article titled “What Will Heaven Be Like?
Thirty-five frequently asked questions about eternity.” Peter Kreeft | posted 6/01/2003
That title looks like it may go well with our topic. So I read the article which was basically answers to 35 frequently asked questions about eternity. Below are a few of the questions, you can read the article in its entirety by clicking on the aforementioned link.
1. How do we know anything about Heaven, anyway?
3. Will we recognize our loved ones in Heaven?
6. Will we have emotions in Heaven?
10. What happens in Heaven?
11. Can the blessed in Heaven see us now?
12. Will we know everything in Heaven?
13. Will we all be equal in Heaven?
15. What kind of bodies will we have in Heaven?
16. What of injuries and deformities? Will they all be removed in the resurrection body?
17. Will there be nature in Heaven?
18. Will we be able to perform magic and miracles?
19. Will there be animals in Heaven? Will my dead cat be there?
20. Will we eat in Heaven?
21. Will our bodies be clothed in Heaven?
22. Will there be music in Heaven?
25. Will there be time in Heaven?
This article was written to respond to the most frequently asked question about heaven. If you carefully consider each question and I posted a link to it on my blog all of these questions focus on the centrality of man. Out of thirty five questions there is no question that addresses the central focus of heaven, God’s throne. Perhaps one of the reasons is because mankind is so naturally man centered that God is merely an after-thought.
"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3, NKJV)
Since God is the greatest good He will be your greatest delight and the center of your affections. In the man centered world in which we live it is hard to see anything better than those things which now occupy our time, but in eternity our taste buds will be expanded to delight in God.
"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11, NKJV)
Beloved Heaven if first and foremost about God, and that is why those prophets who have actually been granted a vision of Heaven reported a common message with a familiar theme. God is the centerpiece of heaven.
The central focus of heaven is God.
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