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What do you think about Heaven?
April 4th, 2008
According to a recent ABC news poll, 9 out of 10 people believe in Heaven. While belief is nearly universal, there are wildly different views of what it will be like. So what should we expect? What will we do for all eternity? And most importantly, why should we look forward to it? After all, the Bible talks so much about putting our hope in this life to come, but how can we do that without developing a clearer picture of this place we will one day call home?
We want to hear from you. What do you think heaven will be like? What are some common misconceptions that you’ve lived with for a long time? What questions do you most want answered about life in heaven? Post your thoughts and questions below and let’s discuss these issues as a community.
7 Responses to “What do you think about Heaven?”
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Jay,
1st I want to say, I have enjoyed your ‘heaven’ presentation-this kind of series is long overdue and i look forward to hearing “the rest of the stroy” (sorry I won’t be there this week but will check on line)But…
I guess I was more than a little ‘troubled’ by some of your references (particularly as a pastor) to the book of Revelation. “wierd” and “spooky” stick in my mind the most. I just wonder if in fact references like that don’t (more than you know) impact peoples thinking…perhaps in negative and even long lasting ways? (to the end where they too may ’shy away’ from even reading it whether KJ or some other version) I’m not suggesting you should not be ‘honest’ and candid but I’m wondering if you might choose your words a little bit more carefully when from a pastor they carry more weight than you might think. It does seem to deserve at least a little consideration.
Gary
1. To respond to Gary’s comment, I got the feeling that that was your feelings about Revelation in the past, not now, so didn’t feel it was particularly negative. Personally, I like the casual atmosphere that allows us all to be open and honest and express our true thoughts and feelings, even from the pulpit, and not having a big divide between clergy and laity. But words from the pulpit do have more weight than casual conversation, and exert more influence on more people.
2. My question: The Bible talks about wood, hay, and stubble vs. gold; ei: all the stuff that is basically worthless in the light of eternity and will burn as we enter heaven, vs. the things that are eternal, and worth putting our heart and soul into. I’d like to see a discussion of what those things are, on both sides.
3. I think I need, along with us all, a discussion of what we really do have to look forward to in heaven, and what made Paul so eager to go, beside just being with Jesus. Thanks for planning to do that.
(P.S. I will be at a retreat this weekend so will have to listen on line, also.) MBG
Thanks Gary, MaryBeth for your comments, good stuff! I appreciate the feedback. In response Gary, I do tend to have a loose cannon approach on the pulpit and I may be more prone to making a few missteps here and there, that being said, I think the honest and casual style is something I gravitate towards. It’s a lot like David in the Psalms, who seems to accuse God and even questions his goodness, but all the while he returns to worship and obedience. I actually read the entire book of Revelation last week and I still find it spooky and even weird, but I’ve been loving it! Thanks again for the comment, I definitely will consider the choice of words I use!
Since I became a christian in high school, my conceptions of Heaven were just the best things here on Earth, only magnified 10,000 times. It was like one giant party. Since then I have been challenged to think to about Heaven from my father in law. He has always been a spiritual advisor to me and I remember small parts of discussions and sermons about Heaven that he has given. I remember him showing a picture of a baby and that baby being Adolf Hitler, his point being that when we get to Heaven we may all be surprised at who is actually going to be there. But the idea of Heaven that impacts me the most is what my father in law wrote about it before he died of cancer.
I Am Going to Walk Among the Stars
Earth has been fine and I have trod,
Worn and lonely paths below
But always has my Spirit looked high above
To the stars and their mysteries sublime.
The heavens declare the glory of God,”
The Shepherd boy wrote to us
As night unto night he gazed
At the light of 5000 circling suns.
Pride falls away the moment we gaze
At the vastness that we call space.
I am little on earth, a simple speck,
But the Savior promised eternity
And I shall walk among the stars.
I know I’m taken from the earth
And from a simple clod
And walk thru this life my heavy step to plod
But I shall walk among the stars
With eager steps and free.
I believe I have my Saviour’s words
That this will some day be.
Evan J. Jones, I, November 2003
I believe my dear father in law is exploring the Heavens as we speak with my dog Sienna. (I know that is a whole other issue-do animals go to Heaven?) I believe my Grandma and Grandpa are dancing thru the stars as well. There is so much I do not know about Heaven but what I do believe gives me hope.
Matt and I really enjoyed the first part on Heaven. I never have really thought much about it as a physical place, just a place that is somewhere where I am CONSTANTLY in the presence of God–which is somewhere I desperately long to be 24/7 instead of snippets here and there. Matt was raised with the “streets of gold” stories, so he is more in tune with the physical aspect. He thinks Heaven is a place where there are constant parties–meaning block parties, great converstaions over big happy dinners, pick-up basketball games, etc. Just a lot of wonderful people really enjoying themselves. We asked our kids and they said Heaven was a place with God and a lot of candy and fun games.
Thanks Jay!!
My question surrounds what we do to our bodies on earth, and how that is manifested in Heaven. My side of the family always gets cremated. Does the body piece itself back together? How do we look in Heaven? If we’re 90 when we die, do we look 90? If we lose an arm in an accident, do we have just one arm?
Can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say tomorrow!
Have you ever seen a monolog on the Bema Seat? We saw a skit about it. Wow it eye opening. We went away realizing that we need to be looking forward to heaven and that what we do here on earth will matter in heaven. I made us think about what was most important in life.
Heaven is Helpful.
With all the lures and demands here on earth it’s easy to use even the Bible for misguided comfort. I can “meditate day and night” on the verses I find fit my very small marked area in-between picket fence to picket fence which I blow out of proportion to mean “world”. Putting the spotlight on heaven has sort of brought a balance as I’m reminded that heaven is a marked spot on the map for all people to trek towards and time is of the essence. We’re a part of something so much bigger. I needed the paradigm shift to be sure I’m putting my eggs in the right basket.
A much-appreciated thanks for your studies on the matter.
From Mrs. Pew Warmer in isle 5.