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cstockton
Posts:7
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Posted:08/02/2006 10:05 PM |
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A recent study I completed had a lot to say about living for the Kingdom of Heaven. In particular the study discussed storing treasures in heaven. The study encouraged the reader to look beyond this present life and the trappings of our "modern" society. We are of course, as a nation, caught up in accumulation of wealth and recognition. We pursue those things expecting them to make up happy. It makes a lot of sense that we should live for the pursuit of treasures in heaven that we will have for eternity. My question is about Heaven itself. What are we to expect? What is Heaven like? I know the Scripture says there will be no more tears, pain, sorrow, or death. We will be in the presence of God and all the saints from all the ages. That should be sufficient but for a guy like me I connect better with practical explainations. What will we do? The study sujjested each redeemed person will have responsibilities and duties (jobs). Will we be able to do the things we love on earth, like fishing? Or, will our personalities be changed along with our bodies? That's probably good for me since I am considered cynic at heart. If I had a better understanding of what to expect it might be easier to live for the kingdom of Heaven. Thanks.
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gfike
Posts:237
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Posted:08/03/2006 9:48 AM |
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Have you heard the one about the two old-timers who grew up playing baseball together, but now in the twilight of their lives were too feeble to play?
As they rocked together at the nursing home, Joe said to Sam, "Do you think there's baseball in heaven?"
Sam replied, "I hope so. Say, why don't we make a pact? Whichever one of us dies first tries to find a way back to let the other know?"
Joe says, "It's a deal!"
A week later, Sam dies. 3 day after the funeral Joe gets a visitation.
"Joe!"
"Sam, is it really you?"
"Yeah. And Joe - I've got good news and bad news."
"What's the good news?"
"There really IS baseball in heaven?"
"And the bad news?"
"You're pitching next week."
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gfike
Posts:237
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Posted:08/03/2006 10:08 AM |
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... but seriously, Charles...
I've pondered this question myself - especially after the disappointing conclusion of the "Left Behind" series when it seemed like the survivors were doomed to a millenium of going to small group Bible studies and wine-tasting parties where they would eat dates and gyros. It seemed to me like life was a lot more exciting working in New Babylon for Nicolae Carpathia.
There's a verse that Pastor Dave quoted at the Gathering on Aug. 2nd that speaks to this:
1 Corinthians 2:9, quoting Isaiah 64:4 -
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"
What heaven is going to be like apparently is beyond expressing in our limited view of reality. Revelation 22 gives a description of heaven as a place of healing, rest and worship, where we will be serving God and reigning in His realm. We are not told what all the activities are. Paul described his near-death experience (perhaps following his stoning reported in Acts 14) in 2 Cor. 12:2-3 - "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell..."
What will heaven be like? Will we golf... or play baseball? The Bible doesn't say. I suspect there is a feeling deep inside of us, one that comes when we remember the time God showed up in a big way... when we prayed and God came through with a miracle... when we were used to lead a loved one to Christ... when one of the Chihuahua or Moldovan orphans smiled at us for the first time in her short life... when we knew God was pleased with our worship... That's a taste of heaven. Psalm 16:11 says, "His presence brings us fullness of joy." The fleeting moment of exhilaration when I hit that 3-quarter court shot in a church basketball game in 1979 can never compare to the moment my 7-yr-old son spontaneously prayed to receive Christ while we driving home from a doctor's appointment. Those are the moments I wished would last forever... and it's good to know there will come a day when they will.
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cstockton
Posts:7
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Posted:08/03/2006 4:56 PM |
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Thanks George. I know that Heaven is an indescribable place. But, how do you teach someone to live life now for the treasures to be received. It is sort of like "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." I am interested in learning more about this topic. I know that Randy Alcorn has a book out that explores the subject. I will pick it up and get started.
You know it does not take much discernment to see that the church of today, even BRCC, is full of people living for today. There are those who truly get it but very few I think. We hear that love, peace and joy come from God through faith and obedience. Faith is knowing God will provide the appropriate outcome even though we cannot see how it could possibly happen. Obedience is following what we know from Scripture is God's will and doing it His way. So to the contrary, disobedience is not following God's will and not doing things His way. But, do we disobey just because we are sinners or do we disobey because we cannot see beyond this life?
In the process of leading the believers of BRCC to "be-the-church" wouldn't a motivating factor be to help us all grasp the superiority of the eternal life over this breath of life we live on earth. NOw I am not suggesting that the recent and current teaching series are at all off the mark. Paul says to "keep our eye on the goal." To me the goal all too often seems to be somewhere over the horizon and I am not all that sure I am even headed in the right direction. I wish I could see in my minds eye, Jesus bent down on one knee, holding out His arms beconning me to come straight away much like I do when I see one of my children coming and I am waiting for them expectantly with my arms head out in front of me. Imagine that. When was the last time you had that kind of experience?
Sorry for such a long note. Thanks again.
BTW. That was a good joke. It made me laugh.
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gfike
Posts:237
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Posted:08/04/2006 10:02 AM |
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The sticky-wicket is that "bird in the hand" living is also "wide is the road" living. At some point the appeal has to be the experience of heaven on earth when we are living the abundant life. Erwin McManus ("The Barbarian Way") has exemplified this approach to teaching that appeals to the God-installed idylls inside every person. Ecclesiastes 3 says that God "has set eternity in the heart of man." That is the hard-wiring we need to appeal to.
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