September 1, 2006
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How We Will Relate to Others in Heaven? John MacArthur
I really like this fellow's preaching. I took notes for myself, if you want to enjoy them too, go ahead. It is from his series "When We All Get to Heaven."
Earth is like a stop between heaven and hell. For Christians, it is as close as we ever need come to hell, but for non believers it is the closest that they will ever be to heaven.
I Peter 1 - live in light of the future
What will heaven be like? What about family? I Corinthians 7:29 - Paul says should we marry or not? If married stay that way, but life is less complicated unmarried. The form of this world is passing away. Marriage is part of the scheme for this world. Matthew 22 - Sadducees who don't believe in ressurection ask Jesus about it. Seven brothers die and pass wife on to the living brothers who also die, so who is she married to in heaven? Jesus said there is no marriage in heaven. So we are sexless in heaven? We will be like angels that don't cohabitate or reproduce. We will be our glorified selves, and recognized for who we are. We maintain our identity. I Corinthians 15 - this mortal shall put on immortality, the corruptable shall put on incorruptable. We will be transformed and given a new body fit for heavenly use.
Genesis 25:8 says that Abraham was "gathered to his people," meaning that he was collected with those who had gone on before. This is mentioned several times in the Bible - Concious reality that we will see those gone on before again in a real, recognizable fellowship. Matthew 8:10 Jesus comments on the faith of the centurion in Capernaum, and says that we will know all of the Bible characters. We will know them because we will have perfect, transendent knowlege, and we will know them. There is evidence of personhood and identity.
Luke 19 See the story of Lazarus and the rich man.- their awareness and self concious.
Luke 10 - your names are recorded in heaven. You will not be just a floating spirit. You are a person, and personhood is indicated by a name. If no marriage, no family, won't we be lonely? No, it will be better, because the best of family relationships will be enjoyed with everyone in heaven. Whatever is good about family and marriage will be infinitely glorious on all accounts. God also gives us a new name. Revelation 2:17, 3:12 We will recognize each other. I Thessalonians 4 gives comfort to those concerned about believers who have died. The hope that ends your grief is the hope of reunion. I Thessalonians 2 What attracted Paul to heaven? All those who have come to Christ who will be in heaven to welcome him and rejoice with him. You believers are what makes heaven attractive! II Corinthians 1:14 Paul's pride and joy will be seeing fellow believers in heaven in the presence of Jesus. Luke 16 Those to whose evangelization you contributed to will be there to welcome you!
Revelation 21 gives a picture of our fellowship in the New Heaven and New Earth. The tabernacle of God is among men, not floating indefinite spirits. God dwells among us, and we shall be his people lavished in eternal, unimaginable, limitless glory. What kind of generous God is He who gives unworthy sinners everlasting bliss and joy? This should want to make us want to fix our eyes on the grace to be revealed and love, obey, proclaim, honor and serve. We know that this is not a fantasy, because Jesus conquered death, and to shall we.
