A Study Of Heaven (Continued)

by Jim Rowe

(Session 3)

The Activities of Heaven

 

• All the Scripture says is that we “shall serve Him” ( Revelation 22:3).
• Revelation 22:3 where it says we will serve God as His “bond-servants”? There is a hint in Revelation 22:5 where it says we will reign with the Lord “forever and ever.”
• To reign implies, of necessity, that we must reign over someone. There is a intriguing clue. Revelation 21:24-27 refers to “nations” that will live on the new earth outside the New Jerusalem. Revelation 22:2 indicates that the people composing these nations will be in fleshly bodies, for it says that the leaves of the tree of life will be used for “the healing of the nations.”
• Who are these “nations”? This is one of the greatest mysteries of Bible prophecy. There are as many different guesses as there are commentaries on the book of Revelation. Could they be the Redeemed who accept Jesus during the Millennium? Nothing is said about the ultimate destiny of those who are saved during the Millennium. No promises are made to them of glorified bodies.
• We don’t know the answer. It is one of those areas where we look into a dimly lit mirror and will not understand fully until we stand “face to face” with the Lord (1 Corinthians 13:12).
• Heavenly Fellowship
• This brings us to the greatest blessing of Heaven. Revelation 22:4 says we shall see the face of God!
• And that is really what Heaven is all about. We will experience an intimacy with the Lord that transcends anything possible in this life. We were created for fellowship with God (John 4:23), and that purpose will reach its zenith in the eternal state as we live in God’s presence.
• That is why Paul wrote, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

The Judgment Seat of Christ (vs) The Great White Throne Judgment

The Judgment Seat of Christ:

Each of us will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (the Bema Seat).

• Romans 14:10-12 (NKJV) 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV) 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

In context, it is clear that both passages refer to Christians, not unbelievers. The judgment seat of Christ, therefore, involves believers giving an account of their lives to Christ.
The judgment seat of Christ does not determine salvation; that was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.  All of our sins are forgiven, and we will never be condemned for them:

• Romans 8:1 (NKJV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

We should not look at the judgment seat of Christ as God judging our sins, but rather as God rewarding us for our lives. Yes, as the Bible says, we will have to give an account of ourselves. Part of this is surely answering for the sins we committed, however, that is not going to be the primary focus of the judgment seat of Christ.

At the judgment seat of Christ, believers are rewarded based on how faithfully they served Christ

• 1 Corinthians 9:16-18 (NKJV) 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel......(also; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

 The various crowns are described in:

• 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJV) 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
• James 1:12 (NKJV) 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
• 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NKJV) 1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
• Revelation 2:10 (NKJV) 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

The Great White Throne Judgment:

The great white throne judgment is the final judgment for the lost:

• Revelation 20:11-15 (NKJV) 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Summary:

• What is heaven?
• Heaven is the place where God resides with Jesus at His side. It is also the place from whence Jesus came when He came to earth.
• Where is it? “The Third Heaven” with references to “Up” or “north”
• What is it like? Beyond the imagination of man. (no sorrow, no tears, streets of gold,
• Who will be there? God, Jesus, Saints of old, Christians
• When do Christians go there?

First; immediately after death to the “Third Heaven” (Where God & Jesus reside)

Second; When Jesus returns to earth, Christians will return with him to earth. (1 Thes. 4:13-18)

Third; The “new heaven” (the fourth heaven) will come down to a “new earth” and we will reside there for eternity with God & Jesus.

• What will we do there? Worship and serve God

Our Anticipation:

The Redeemed are going to dwell forever in new bodies on a new earth in a New Jerusalem in the presence of Almighty God and His Son, Jesus.

This New Heaven will come to a Restored Earth!

 

James Rowe is currently a member of the Hikes Point Christian Church in Louisville and serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Christian Education Corp.