Kalamalka Lake - Vernon, BC
I am fascinated with Heaven! There are so many opinions, interpretations & mysteries about the great there-after. And so many incorrect ones I think. I'm not sure about the 'heaven' we go to when we die. I think its just an intermediate place. I do believe we'll be in 'the presence of the Lord' but I don't believe its our final destination.
When Christ returns, which I believe will happen in my lifetime, He sets up His 1000 year reign on earth. Revelation 20 I think all those who have previsouly died before His return will be there too, along with all the saints who survived and were martyrred during the 7 year Tribulation. "and I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus...who had not worshiped the best" Rev 20: 4
But what after the 1000 years. Then we get a new heaven & new earth. Revelation 21:1 So this is to believe we will get to live on this new earth for eternity. Others believe we'll only be living in the new city with the streets of gold and gates of pearl.
I'd like to believe the earth will be ours. The mountains, streams & oceans, clean, beautiful and unable to harm us. One author & theologian that believes such things is Randy Alcorn. I encourage you to visit his website Eternal Perspective Ministries if you also want to know more about heaven because he has some amazing thoughts & interpretations on it. Today I ordered Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven" I imagine it will take a week or two to get to me. But after I receive it, I will probably have more to say about his thoughts on Heaven.
Its too big of a topic to discuss in one blog and I have so many anticipations of this new heaven & new earth that it would be mind-boggling to discuss them all. But my belief is that this earth we are on now, is going to be our eternal home. But without all the devastation, death, disease and most of all, it will be without sin. And I can't wait. I've got big plans for some of the ways I'm going to spend eternity, and it includes a lot of my favourite things I like to do now - like hiking, rock climbing, swimming, eating great food, singing, dancing, spending time with those I love and meeting so many more that I will also love.
I love my life here on the present earth, but there are fears, hurts & dangers now. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away..."Behold I make all things new." Revelation 21:4-5
I can't find the credits for the words of this song but I will never forget its words
There will come a day when He will split the skies
And following the Lamb of God are armies dressed in white
I will join the thunder shouting "God Almighty Reigns"
Never will there be a doubt again
That Jesus is the great I Am
How ironic - I was thinking about Heaven this morning too! (part of the time while I was SUPPOSED to be listening to the sermon... just an EENSY bit of time) and then more afterward. Can't wait to share with you!
ReplyDeleteDid you take this beautiful photograph recently, Becky? I love how silky mirror smooth the water is!
I have always been facinated with the prophesies of the book of Revelation. I once taught a course on it to my grade 10s when I taught in a Christian school... I learned a lot while preparing the lesson plans.
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty much my understanding on the topic too. Of course, its probably beyond anything we can imagine but pretty sure there'll be squirrels. Flying squirrels!
ReplyDeleteFor a long time, heaven seemed like a concept. I believed but it seemed so distant and abstract. But as I grow "older", I am looking forward to seeing it.
When we went to Austria and we were driving through all the mountain and valley of the Alps all I could think about was heaven. Austria was so Heavenly. The most Heavenly place I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteIt really wasn't until this year that I really began to understand about heaven and what it is really going to be like. Which I know it is going to be more than I could ever imagine.
Barb - yes, this is a photo from when I used to live and hike in Vernon.
ReplyDeleteEager to know your heavenly thoughts!
Dave - prophecies are a fave of mine too - got a new DVD series on Daniel that we are slowly digesting. Tonnes of info in there. Almost mind-boggling! Did you read the LEFT BEHIND series?
LGS - I know its beyond what we can imagine because our little brains are so limited. Can't wait to get a better understanding. Flying, swimming, climbing - oh yeah!
Janice - I hope we still have Alps-height mountains to explore on the new earth - achin to climb some big ones without freezing my toes off (but still enjoying the snow, danger-free)
Hi ya Becky. Yes, I believe in that 1000 year reign too! The day when the New Heaven and Earth merge will be fantastic. I think the "New" part of it will be the combination of it all. It can be a confusing subject at times. (What's part of the Millenium vs. Heaven. On my post about Heaven, I know some of the verses I used describe the city during the 1000 years. I figure it is God bringing his city from Heaven down to earth. Although there's much more we haven't been given a word picture about as far as what Heaven looks like.) God reigns no matter what! As for doing some exploring, I'm right there with you. It will be one great adventure! I still plan on commenting about your Sunday Theology post from a few weeks ago about security. Just need some time to get those thoughts together! Thanks for visiting my site. Once again, I love your pictures and your thoughts about life and God!
ReplyDeleteSusan - I agree that the new city is going to be beautiful - breathtaking for sure and more jewels & gold than any of could ever imagine. It will be the City of the King but I do think like you said that we'll have the freedom to come in & out of it as we please!
ReplyDeleteAh good, sounds like I may have a partner for climbing the "New Everest". *grin* I always tell my husband that, as much as I would love to visit the Himilayas in this lifetime, I'm going to be all over them in eternity!
Amen, sister!
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