Transparent Christian Magazine

I asked a colleague to describe heaven. He is a Christ follower and said. “The Bible doesn’t say much about heaven.”

“So the LORD God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. After sending them out, the LORD God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” Gen 3:23-24

Adam and Eve were banished from paradise, but paradise did not end.

David reflected on his version of heaven by closing our favorite Psalm with, “And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

In his last night with the disciples Jesus said, “You trust in God. Trust in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am you might be also.” John 14:1-3

The thief on the cross was guilty of his crime. He acknowledged who Jesus was, and Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Paul spent a lot of time in adverse circumstances and reflected on heaven by saying, “
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” 1 Cor 2:9-10

God does not keep secrets!

To make sure we understood, God gave John a grand tour. He described what he saw: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Rev 21:1-4

Rick Warren says we are created for a person and a place. The person is Jesus Christ, and the place is heaven.

Misconception #2: “The Bible doesn’t say much about heaven.”

Reality: Genesis 1 and 2 reveals God’s original intent of replicating His heavenly Kingdom on earth. Genesis 3 through Revelation 20 represents The Fall and judgment of that act. Revelation 21-22 is a vivid description of God’s completion of His original intent—to dwell in the “new” heaven and earth with His people—FOREVER!

Sufjan Stevens_For The Widows in Paradise