Heaven is real and far more glorious than anything in the universe — Billy Graham

Evangelist Billy Graham quotes Revelation 21:11: Heaven 'shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel.'

While people do not know where heaven is, popular American evangelist Billy Graham assures people that it is in real and that it is far more glorious than anything in the entire universe.

"The Bible assures us that heaven is real and that it includes things we will be able to see and touch and even hear," he wrote in a column for The Kansas City Star. "There's no reason to believe our telescopes will ever discover it. It may even exist in a dimension beyond our present knowledge."

Graham said scientists might have discovered new worlds of "unimaginable beauty" over the last few years, but he has no doubt that heaven will be far more beautiful and wonderful than anything people can discover in their lifetime.

"Every description the Bible gives us makes it clear that heaven is filled with wonders and treasures far greater than anything we know on Earth. Even the most skilled artist or most brilliant composer is unable to portray its glories," he said.

People should not forget, however, that the best thing about heaven is that it is the home of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and everyone who enters its gates will be blessed by God's presence forevermore. "No doubt we'll be stunned by heaven's beauty, but most of all we will be overwhelmed by being in God's presence," he said.

Graham quoted the Bible verse Revelation 21:11, which describes heaven: "It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel."

He then asked people if they look forward to going to heaven, or if they are certain they will go there when they die. "You can be, because God has provided the way for us to be cleansed of our sins and welcomed into his presence forever," he shared. "That way is Christ, who gave His life so we could be saved. Make sure today that heaven will be your eternal home, by repenting your sins and giving your life to Jesus Christ."

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/heaven.is.real.and.far.more.glorious.than.anything.in.the.universe.billy.graham/60112.htm

What is Billy referring to when he uses the term "heaven?"

Not a trick question.

I agree with Billy Graham.

I love to read Revelation where it describes scenes in heaven and allow it to instruct my imagination...it is glorious. I promise. I get so excited....Heaven is beautiful, no doubt. All the beauty we see here is merely a brief hint of what it is like over there.

Sandra

I had heard the testimonies of people in the throes of death who were seeing the 'beyond'. They saw beauty, heard beautiful music - "don't you hear that? It is so beautiful". And no, no one else heard or saw what they were seeing.

On the other hand there have been unbelievers who had a chance to experience hell before they took their last breath and were very vocal about its horrors. One of those was my husband's uncle. His attending nurse declared she never again wants to see anything like that!

These testimonies were from people I knew. In the first paragraph I am referring to Wilma Yoder and Kevin Yoder (no relation that I am aware of.) Out of respect to the children I will not name the uncle.

Yes, I believe heaven to be a place of such beauty that exceeds our imagination.

Sandra

Sandra-

What is your understanding of "heaven" vs. the "new heaven and earth?"

I'll confess I am not exactly sure how they mesh together. I do believe that ultimately in our resurrection bodies we will be on a recreated Edenic earth.

So I not exactly sure where the Revelation visions fit into all that.

Where or what is heaven?

I perceive it as a place where God dwells; a place prepared for the redeemed. Its exact location is unknown to me. I know Revelation talks about a new heaven and a new earth in chapter 21 - I never checked it out. Some of these things are not clear to me exactly how and where but you know what? It does not matter to me. All I know and am confident of is that it will be wonderful beyond our imagination.

Did you ever meditate on Revelation 4, visualize in your mind what John is describing there? Have you ever seen the like? Then go to chapter 5...

I always urge people to read Revelation without trying to figure out how these events can be understood in light of current history. John is describing a vision and he goes into a lot of detail. Try to see it as John saw it and what do you get? It can leave you in awe. I get so much inspiration in studying Revelation - I get really excited about it..and I suspect some think I am weird. If I am it is a delightful exercise!

Sandra

Sis. Sandra, reading this thread (and your responses) brought to mind something I once read from the writings of the very early church. Just wanted to share for whatever it is worth:

"...As the presbyters say, then those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of Paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; for everywhere the Saviour will be seen, according as they shall be worthy who see Him. But that there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce an hundredfold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold; for the first will be taken up into the heavens, the second class will dwell in Paradise, and the last will inhabit the city; and that on this account the Lord said, "In my Father's house are many mansions:" for all things belong to God, who supplies all with a suitable dwelling-place, even as His word says, that a share is given to all by the Father, according as each one is or shall be worthy. And this is the couch in which they shall recline who feast, being invited to the wedding. The presbyters, the disciples of the apostles, say that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved, and that they advance through steps of this nature; and that, moreover, they ascend through the Spirit to the Son, and through the Son to the Father; and that in due time the Son will yield up His work to the Father, even as it is said by the apostle..."

- Papias (Bishop of Hierapolis--modern Pamukkale, Turkey--circa 70-163 AD)

I remember first hearing the song below from the old "fire on the altar" website.

It does a good job of portraying some of the majesty and holiness of heaven.

http://youtu.be/puiCK_VKtnA

edit: I lean heavily toward... :) :) :) that Christian's put far too much emphasis on "heaven." Heaven is eternal but it doesn't seem to me that heaven is going to be our "eternal" home. I understand it to be like a weigh station until the Resurrection.

There will be a NEW heaven along with a new earth but my question is why is God creating a NEW earth if we will never live here again? Just a thought. :unedit

Lisa