Is our vew of heaven biblical

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Graftedbranc Jan 29, 2006

I was not brought up in Christianity. I was raised in a 'scientific agnostic" environment. But when I was saved at the age of 17 the Scriptures were opened up to me and I read through the New Testament probably 6 times in a few weeks.One thing that impressed me what that at the end of the Bible - Revelation 21-22 it was not heaven, but the New Jerusalem in the New Earth.I wondered about this. I said, "I have always heard about going to heaven and escaping hell but I never heard this."When I finally joind the big First Baptist church in my city, I heard over and over what I had heard before. But no one every addressed the scripture.Is the end of the Bible heaven? Or is is the New Jerusalem in the New Earth?I present this this way becuase what I saw in the Scritpures was based on an objective view. I was not couched in traditional Christianity. I just read the Bible and enjoyed the Spirit's enlightment and this is what I saw. One cannot help but hear things over the years and so I was not totally forign to traditional concepts but had no predetermined opinions or conclusion. I simply came to the Word of God with an open mind and heart and spirit.I had no teaching of a particular church or group or orginization. I was just a redeemed, born again believer with a Bible and the Spirit.Graftedbranch

sermonindex Jan 29, 2006

The main stream concept of heaven is wrong. I believe that you are on the right track in observing by the Spirit of God that the New Jerusalem is our so called heaven. This is what Abraham saw afar off, he was not looking for a city that is built by mans hands, but whose builder and maker is God. Now consider what Abraham saw, and consider what Jesus said concerning Abraham.John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.Jesus Christ who is the head and we are His body are the city that Abraham saw. It is here the promise to Abraham is made that "that thru you all the nations of the earth would be blessed".The concept of heaven is found in John 14:2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.The newer translations read 'ROOMS' in place of mansions. I believe more in the rooms than the mansions, because there is only one building being constructed, one temple, one Church, one body.It's a nice song we sing on Sunday morning, "I've got a mansion, just over the hill top in that bright land we'll never grow old"But I think we need to use our words wisely, especially when this word heaven is in conjunction with Canaan land. People think that when they die they are going to Canaan land. If that is the case then they better make sure that they are well armoured because that land are full of giants and walled cities and they will not lay down their arms easily.No we need to take the whole armour of God now, and enter into Canaan on this side of the river and to stand on the foundation of Gods word, the Apostles doctrine and Jesus Christ and Him crucified. You know there is a link that I would like to give to those who might be interestd on this subject, this newsletter speaks of this very thing, and I am glad this thread was started. Everyone who is interested in entering the Kingdom of God will be blessed and challenged. So here is the link.Kingdom of God Bible Study Newsletter

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Graftedbranc Jan 29, 2006

I feel I may have been a little disingenuous in this thread. While what I posted is true, I feel it gives a false impression. That is that I am questioning this fact.The truth is as can be seen in my other posts that I do have strong views on this matter and have already spent much time in these things. I brought it up because my wife who is a flight attendant brought it up with a passenger on a plane who was reading and studying his bible and she just shared it with me. it was fresh on my mind. I put it forth as a question knowing tradition runs deep.But I did enjoy this reply of Loveslave. He has some very good points. graftedbranch

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Graftedbranc Jan 29, 2006

Brother (Sister?) Loveslave,You have some very good points. Especially conserning Cannan as a type of heaven which is never asserted in the Bible. IN Hebrews Cannan is a type of our rest in Christ in this age and the kingdom age. But not in the Eternal age.I would only question your interpretation of "heavenly mansions". The Greek word means. "many abodes". In the time of King James "mansions did mean "apartments". But abodes is a better translation and does not refer to any kind of apartment or house for us to live in in heaven. The context of John 14 is the Lord's leaveing to go to the cross and to make a place for us "in the Father". And to create in resurrection in His believers the "many abodes of God".The whole theme of John 14 is Christ bringing us into God the Father and bringing God the Father into us incorporating us together as an eternal mutual abode.The Lord said, 'I am the way, the truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but by Me.And again. IN that day you will know that I am in My father and you are in Me and I am in you.He then says He and His Father would come and make their abode with us.He then says. "He is with you (the comforter) and shall be in you." and "I will come to you".This is the whole theme of John 14. It has nothing to do with Christ going to heaven to build us heavenly mansions. It is all regarding christ going to the Father to make a place in Him for us and to make a place in us for Him.Graftedbranch