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The Christian Future: Hope in Heaven & New Earth

Explore the Christian destiny in heaven, the dwelling of God, and the promise of a new heaven and earth where believers will live eternally. Discover biblical references to heaven and the future described in the New Testament.

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The Christian Future: Hope in Heaven & New Earth

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  1. The Christian Future What is your destiny as a Christian? What is your future hope? Where do you expect to spend eternity? Have you spent much time thinking about heaven and what it will be like? Some people in history have. Where do Christ-followers spend eternity - in heaven or on earth?

  2. What do we know about heaven? • Heaven is the home/dwelling place of God and the angels & the seat of his authority/power/ throne • God is often referred to as “the God of heaven” or “Lord God of heaven” or “Father in heaven” • God is the Creator of the heaven/s and earth A clear distinction between heaven/s and earth • Although God is transcendent (beyond us) God is also immanent (present with us in our world and within the lives of Christ-followers by His Spirit) • Heaven is also short-hand for the Christian’s eternal future.

  3. How often did Jesus talk about heaven? …explain about heaven? • 83 references to ‘heaven’ in the four Gospels Most often referring to “God”, “from God”, up there/above/in the sky. • Most other New Testament references are in the Book of Revelation (48) Quote from The New Dictionary of Theology “The traditional language of “going to heaven” is not so securely based on scripture as is usually supposed.”

  4. In which Gospel passages does Jesus tell us something about heaven? • Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven (29) • “Store up for yourself treasure in heaven” “great is your reward in heaven” Supported by other NT verses • Trick question about marriage in heaven • Rejoicing in heaven when lost are found (Lk 15) • “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23 v43) • The Parable of the rich man and Lazarus after their deaths. (Luke 16v 19-31) • “In my Fathers house are many rooms…I go prepare a place for you…” (John 14 v1-7)

  5. Paul sums it up in Ephesians chapter 1 when he says: “Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him. Because of his love God; had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his sons and daughters - this was his pleasure and purpose. Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son! For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, which he gave to us in such large measure! In all his wisdom and insight 9 God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. 10This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head [under the authority of Christ]. (GNT)

  6. But where will God bring everything together? Where will the faithful live beyond death? The Bible mentions God creating a new heaven and a new earth…how many times? • Is 65 v17 - “Look! I am creating new heavens and a newearth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. (NLT) • Is 66 v22 - “As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be my people, with a name that will never disappear,” says the Lord. • 2 Peter 3 v13 - But we are looking forward to the newheavens and newearth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. • Rev 21 v1 - Then I saw a new heaven and a newearth, for the old/first heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.

  7. Revelation chapter 21 1Then 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. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 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 [and be their God]. 4 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.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”

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