Heaven - The Good News
INTRODUCTION
A good news reporter asks five questions about any event or situation: Who? What? When? Where? How? In this series on Heaven we have answered all these questions, but today I would like for us to consider them all together. The Gospel is the Good News, but without Heaven, all the rest would be less than meaningless. Paul wrote, “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor. 15:19).
I. OUR FIRST QUESTION IS WHO.
A. The Bible Tells Us Who Will Be in Heaven.
God is in Heaven, Ps. 115:3; Matt. Is. 57:15; Matt. 6:9; Rev. 4.
Jesus is in Heaven, John 14:1-6; Rev. 1; 5:6; Phil 2:10-11.
The Holy Spirit is in Heaven, Rev. 4:5 (Seven = perfect number).
Angels are in Heaven, Rev. 4.
All the redeemed of God will be in Heaven, 1 Peter 1:3-5; John 14:1-6.
B. The Bible Tells Us Who Will Not Be in Heaven.
Satan will not be in Heaven, Rev. 20:10.
No lost people will be in Heaven, Rev. 20:11-15; 21:8, 27.
II. THE NEXT QUESTION IS WHAT.
A. Heaven Is the Home of God, Rev. 4.
It is His eternal home, Ps. 33:13-14; Matt. 6:9. Heaven is God’s throne is, Acts 7:49; Ps. 11:4; 45:6; Rev. 4. Heaven is filled with His glory, Ps. 26:8; Rev. 4:8-11.
B. Heaven Is the Home of All Who Are in Christ, John 3:16.
Heaven is a real place, John 14:1-6.
Heaven is a place of rest, Heb. 4:9.
Heaven is a place of joy and pleasure, Ps. 16:11.
Heaven is our inheritance, 1 Peter. 1:3-5.
III. OUR NEXT QUESTION IS WHERE.
A. We Are Not Given Much Information About Where Heaven Is.
B. We Are Given All We Need to Know.
C. We May Conclude That Heaven Is Up.
The Holy Spirit came down from Heaven, Matt. 3. Jesus ascended into Heaven, Acts. 1:9. Jesus looked up to Heaven, Mark 6:41. Stephen looked up into Heaven, Acts 7:54-56. Our Father looks down from Heaven, Ps. 33:13; 80:14.
IV. THE NEXT QUESTION IS WHEN.
A. For God the Answer Is “Forever, ” Ps. 9:7; 23:6; 29:10.
B. For Believers the Answer Is Just As Simple.
To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord, 2 Cor 5:8. Those living when Jesus returns will be caught up to meet Him in the air, 1 Thes. 4:17. We will live in Heaven forever, Ps. 23:6; 41:12.
V. THE FINAL QUESTION IS HOW.
A. There Are Three Theories.
First is Justification by works, Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:9.
Second is Justification by works plus faith, Rom, 11:6.
Third is Justification by faith, Gal. 2:16; Eph, 2:8.