Category: Heaven

In our text, the Hebrew writer enlarges upon his statement in 3:19 that the Israelites were not able to enter into the rest of God (the land of Canaan) because of their unbelief.

He begins by noting that a promise of rest remains for God’s people. The reference here is obviously to heaven, the final rest promised to the people of God. He refers to several “rests” in the text. The rest of God after the creation of the world, “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and rested…” (Genesis 2:2). The rest of Canaan missed by the unbelieving Jews, “They shall not enter My rest” (5). He then refers to Psalm 95 where David mentions those rebellious Jews, and said, “Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts, as in the wilderness…” (7-8). In the word “Today”, David was indicating another rest yet attainable for the people of God.

The key is the same here. We must believe to attain the eternal rest promised by God. “For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his words as God did from His” (10). Do not harden your heart. Believe in the promise of God!

A discussion of the Two Tabernacles and the ordinances of divine service mentioned in Hebrews 9.

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A discussion of the hope a Christian has at death.

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The second church Jesus wrote to was the church in Smyrna. The church is known as the persecuted church. This congregation was oppressed. As they sought to be faithful at this time, they were beset by tribulation (cf. James 1:24) and economic oppression. Even so they were rich spiritually!

Jesus comforted them. That comfort was not a promise to deliver them out of trials, but rather a promise to give them an eternal reward because of their faithfulness. “Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life” (10). This end of the Christian’s sojourn on earth is our reason for hope. It is the reason we can live our lives in the midst of our enemies without fear! “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) (cf. Matthew 10:28).

Here is our promise, made by the Lord to the church in Smyrna at the end of the first century, “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death” (11)!

God made a covenant with Abraham, noted first in Genesis 12. This covenant included the promise of a great nation, and a land in which they would dwell. This land — Canaan — was given as an inheritance to the Israelite nation. Under that Old Covenant, the Jews were Abraham’s seed and heirs. “So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass” (Joshua 21:43-45).  In fact, the very word is used to describe this gift. “These are the areas which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan” (14:1).

Things have changed with Christ. No longer is the physical Jew the heir of God’s promises. As Paul explained in his epistle to the Romans, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29). Continue reading “The Value of Heirship” →

In the book of Philippians we see Paul in Rome during his first imprisonment. Things were dire. His continued life was dependent upon a capricious Caesar. He was under house arrest.

His brethren in Philippi rallied to his aid in sending by the hand of Epaphroditus necessities during his imprisonment.  It is this to which Paul here responds, “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

It was good and pleasing to God that the Christians in Philippi send aid to Paul.  For it, he was greatly appreciative.  However, the phrase “Indeed I have all and abound” is especially interesting to me.

No doubt their aid helped. Yet Paul was in prison, and still in danger of losing his life. Paul’s abundance did not depend upon physical aid, but his relationship with God.  Even facing death he wrote, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23-24).

What about you? Can you withstand any circumstance in life if you are guaranteed heaven? May we all look to eternity!

A study of 1 Peter 5:10, noting that you must step out of self, into Christ, and through to Judgment to enjoy the eternal glory of God.

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A discussion of the text of Luke 6:20-26, esp. 21b and 25b, as Weeping and Laughing are discussed. This lesson shows the wisdom of living a sober life in anticipation of the joy of heaven.

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Here we write of things for which we have little information or knowledge.  Paul promised in Philippians 3:20-21, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” There are a few things this reveals, and many things we will one day know when we meet Jesus in the end.

First, our change is according to the working of our Lord. Jesus will exhibit at that time a power which is the same power He will use to put “all enemies under his feet” (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:25).

Second, the change He will render in us is a transformation. Our bodies will be changed. We will not be as we are now.  Think of a tadpole’s difference from a frog, or a caterpillar from a butterfly.

Third, our new body will glorious, as Jesus’ body is now. It will be suited to a new existence with Jesus in heaven.  Can I describe it?  No. But, there is no need for me to explain it away, because Paul revealed it to be so! In 1 Corinthians 15, he said, “There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (44).  He wrote, “And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (49).  Hallelujah for His promises!

Peter in previous verses had established the end of the faithful.  An “inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1:4).

This salvation was not fully revealed in times past. The prophets of old had questions about it as they spoke of the promise of it in words supplied by God. They did not fully comprehend the nature, or the time when redemption would come.

Now we have all revealed.  We can look to the New Testament and read from it all that Jesus had to suffer to secure our redemption. We know of His resurrection, His ascension, and His reign in heaven at God’s right hand. We are so blessed with this knowledge, and that we live in the “last days.”

As our redemption is secured through our belief and obedience to the good news of Christ, we have reason to rejoice. We have had revealed to us things that even angels could not fully comprehend before Jesus came.  We know, we can read. We are blessed by God!

In the previous verses, Peter referred to the inheritance that awaits all the faithful. It is reserved in heaven (4), and is eternal in nature (5). In our text, he notes this is a reason for rejoicing though our lives at present may be difficult.

It is a fact that life here on earth may be difficult for every human. Christians are not excepted. Rain falls on “the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). These trials serve a specific purpose for the child of God.  The establish the genuineness of his faith.

Is your faith in Jesus true? You have never seen Him. Do you truly love Him? The hope that is proclaimed, an eternity in Heaven in the presence of God, is contained in a future promise. Do you believe it? The proof is seen in how you conduct yourself as you live here on this earth. Trials and tribulations on earth serve the same purpose as fire does to the purification of metal. If you prove yourself by the life you live on earth you will receive “the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls” (9).

The apostle Peter began his second epistle with a  proclamation of God’s mercy and grace. With His divine power, He “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Further, “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises.” Because of this, we “may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (1:2-4).

What a wonderful expression of God’s love. He determined to save man from Himself, and sent His Son. It is through Jesus that God has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). When we have gained so much from Him, the obvious question we should be asking is—how should we respond to His munificence? Continue reading “The Response of Faith” →

In lesson 35 of the series, the discussion centers on the first 6 verses of Jesus’ address to His disciples on the night of His betrayal. (John 14:1-6).

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An examination of the apostle Paul’s life, discussing his persecution of the church, his conversion, his work, and his reward.

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Lesson 22 in series

In John 8:21-30 Jesus informs the unbelieving Jews that their unwillingness to believe in Him would keep them from heaven. Faith in Jesus (cf. John 14:6) is the only way to the Father. Without belief in Jesus, sin separates man from God.

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