Sometime ago I began to ask questions about something’s that mainline churches were teaching, like when we die we go directly to heaven. But then I think why? Jesus is coming back to take the dead in Christ to heaven, then those who are alive will be taken up with him. It doesn’t make any sense.
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Matthew 9:24[/FONT]
He said to them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed him to scorn.
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Job 14:12 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']12. So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Psalm 13:3 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']3. Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Daniel 12:2 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']These stories of Jesus raising the dead, that he said where only asleep, can also be used as bible verses for funerals-
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Matthew 9:24 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']24. He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']John 11:11-14 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']11. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']13. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Ephesians 5:14 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']My favorite bible verses for funerals also include these that state when Christ comes back to take us all to heaven, the dead will be raised and changed, and there is victory through Jesus Christ.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']51. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
Today, I was reading from the word and came across something else that didn’t make any sense. In Revelation it says that the earth will be destroyed and replaced with a perfect world. My immediate thought was He is going to recreate Eden, where we will live in the perfect bodies that we are given.
Here is what I feel - Many people have a misconception of what heaven is truly like. Revelation chapters 21-22 gives us a detailed picture of the new heavens and the new earth. After the events of the end times, the current heavens and earth will be done away with and replaced by the new heavens and new earth. The eternal dwelling place of believers will be the new earth. The new earth is the “heaven” on which we will spend eternity. It is the new earth where the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, will be located. It is on the new earth that the pearly gates and streets of gold will be.
Heaven—the new earth—is a physical place where we will dwell with glorified physical bodies (1 Corinthians 15:35-58). The concept that heaven is “in the clouds” is unbiblical. The concept that we will be “spirits floating around in heaven” is also unbiblical. The heaven that believers will experience will be a new and perfect planet on which we will dwell. The new earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death. It will likely be similar to our current earth, or perhaps even a re-creation of our current earth, but without the curse of sin.
What about the new heavens? It is important to remember that in the ancient mind, “heavens” referred to the skies and outer space, as well as the realm in which God dwells. So, when Revelation 21:1 refers to the new heavens, it is likely indicating that the entire universe will be created—a new earth, new skies, a new outer space. It seems as if God's heaven will be recreated as well, to give everything in the universe a “fresh start,” whether physical or spiritual. Will we have access to the new heavens in eternity? Possibly, but we will have to wait to find out. May we all allow God’s Word to shape our understanding of heaven.
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Matthew 9:24[/FONT]
He said to them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed him to scorn.
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Job 14:12 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']12. So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Psalm 13:3 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']3. Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Daniel 12:2 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']These stories of Jesus raising the dead, that he said where only asleep, can also be used as bible verses for funerals-
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Matthew 9:24 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']24. He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']John 11:11-14 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']11. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']13. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Ephesians 5:14 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']My favorite bible verses for funerals also include these that state when Christ comes back to take us all to heaven, the dead will be raised and changed, and there is victory through Jesus Christ.
[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (King James Version) [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']51. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
Today, I was reading from the word and came across something else that didn’t make any sense. In Revelation it says that the earth will be destroyed and replaced with a perfect world. My immediate thought was He is going to recreate Eden, where we will live in the perfect bodies that we are given.
Here is what I feel - Many people have a misconception of what heaven is truly like. Revelation chapters 21-22 gives us a detailed picture of the new heavens and the new earth. After the events of the end times, the current heavens and earth will be done away with and replaced by the new heavens and new earth. The eternal dwelling place of believers will be the new earth. The new earth is the “heaven” on which we will spend eternity. It is the new earth where the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, will be located. It is on the new earth that the pearly gates and streets of gold will be.
Heaven—the new earth—is a physical place where we will dwell with glorified physical bodies (1 Corinthians 15:35-58). The concept that heaven is “in the clouds” is unbiblical. The concept that we will be “spirits floating around in heaven” is also unbiblical. The heaven that believers will experience will be a new and perfect planet on which we will dwell. The new earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death. It will likely be similar to our current earth, or perhaps even a re-creation of our current earth, but without the curse of sin.
What about the new heavens? It is important to remember that in the ancient mind, “heavens” referred to the skies and outer space, as well as the realm in which God dwells. So, when Revelation 21:1 refers to the new heavens, it is likely indicating that the entire universe will be created—a new earth, new skies, a new outer space. It seems as if God's heaven will be recreated as well, to give everything in the universe a “fresh start,” whether physical or spiritual. Will we have access to the new heavens in eternity? Possibly, but we will have to wait to find out. May we all allow God’s Word to shape our understanding of heaven.