Christian Photographers Community

I thought that we could discuss something nice....and that's the topic of Heaven and what we, as Christians might do there or what we have to look forward to.

I guess my questions that we could talk about would be something like this...

• What does the Christian look forward to after death?
  
  
• What is Heaven?
  
  
• What will we be doing in heaven?
  
  
• Will we be married?
  
  
• Will we know our loved ones?
  
  
• Will we be able to see God?
  
  
• What is Hell? [/b] [/size]

I might come up with more questions as we go along--or you might--but that's enough to get us started.  I realize too that some of the answers might depend on our own interpretation of the scriptures but let's try to keep this as simple as we can.

I hope that I can learn from all of you some of the answers to my questions.


Some things just aren't spoken of in the Bible and are left silent.  Let's find out if that's the case.

Well Pat the Bible says that there will be no marrying or giving in Marriage in Heaven. But In my opinion we will certainly know all our loved ones who are there. Whether or not we will be married is one of those mysteries.

My I would have an awful choice to  make  5 husbands and none of them will problably be there.

Y'all know how opinionated I can be!  Hopefully, though, you'll understand that though I have opinions, I also know that others have opinions as well.  As Christians, we all know and believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and our God, that He's the only Savior from sin, and that we're going to be with Him forever.  Those constitute the basics, and we can't really vary from them if we love Him - these aren't opinions.

That having been said, I'd like to share with y'all what I do believe relative to, first of all, heaven.  Romans 8:18ff says, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him Who subjected it in hope.  Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

What I belive that all means is that when man fell into rebellion against God - when sin entered into the world - then it caused the whole creation to suffer, because man was its head (Genesis 1:26).  He was no longer a good head over it all.  It's still suffering.

But Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior has come.  He's saved His people by going to the Cross for them, and one day He's coming again to receive them to Himself.  That's the day in which there will be a "new heavens and a new earth in which dwelleth righteousnesss.  At that time, bit by bit, the harm that was done to creation shall be undone (see Is. 11).  You and I will serve our Lord in the renewed earth, and it'll be wonderful indeed!

There - you have my opinion.

I agree with Marilyn that there will be no marriage or giving in marriage.  I believe we'll all love one another perfectly, helping each other to serve our Lord eternally.

So - where is heaven?  When we first die, if Christ has not yet come again, then I believe that our spirits go immediately to be with Him.  Then, when He comes, those who had died and gone to be with Him come with Him.  The rest of His people join them in the air, then they all continue to earth, where He conducts the judgement.  The the renewed earth then becomes heaven - just because He's there.

So, both of you agree that we won't be married in heaven.

Will we know our loved ones?

How will we spend our time in heaven?

I personally believe that we will know our loved ones and that we will be spending all our time in worship. Worshipping our Lord.

I'd like to meet and talk to Queen Esther, and Ruth, Elizabeth, Anna, and Mary (Jesus Mother). I would like to meet Jeremiah, ing David, Solomon,  could go on and on.  Maybe we will know everyone.

I think we will live in the new Jerusalem, the one spoken of in Revelations that is 15 miles square. (I think that's what it says. (Of course that is off the top of my head.)

First I'd like to know what that mouse is running from Marilyn?
I do believe we'll not only know loved ones, etc., but that we'll know much more.  Our intelligence won't be so limited in that situation.  I personally believe we'll truly love one another - far better than we now do - and that we'll help one another with enhanced talents to do the work our Lord assigns us.  Adam and Eve were originally intended to help each other to serve God, and I think that's going to happen again, except there'll be more of us.
Marilyn says we'll be spending all our time worshipping.  Well, I think that's true, but I think we also need to realize that work, play, and many other things can be worship as well.  I think I'm going to sing while I work (and not be offkey).

Will we be able to see God?

I would imagine so.  If I am not mistaken (and that is quite possible, you know), the Bible says that no can look upon God and live.  But, in heaven, we will have our new bodies, there will be no sin, and no death, so why shouldn't we see Him?


What is Hell?
I believe that Hell is an actual place created for Satan and his demons, but where people who do not accept Christ choose to go.  Even if it were not physical, the separation from God would be Hell, too.

Just some thoughts, from my little brain.

About seeing God - it brings a question to my little mind: what will you "see?"  God is not a creature, and as the old catechism said, "does not have a body like men."  So I don't honestly know what we'll "see."  We'll know He's there, and we'll worship Him with all we've got (and we've got lots more at that time), but what we'll see, even with renewed physical eyes - I don't know.  But I'll tell y'all a few moments after I get there!  It's all very clear to Him.

Good point Al.  By the same token, it says we will have "new bodies" which we always assumes a physical body with nothing wrong with it.  Could it be a spiritual body?  If so, then we could see God, in spirit.  Right??

Once again - - - I'll tell ya right after I get there - if ya ask me.

I'll put that on my things to ask!!!  

Since it appears we can give our OPINIONS here without incurring anyone's wrath, I do have some opinions about heaven!  

I believe we will know each other in heaven; that we will look a lot like we look now, only infinitely better!  I do believe we will have bodies, yes, not just spiritual ones, either.  Maybe we will be at whatever age you feel is your best?  And I believe we will see God----as in HIs glory!  A huge brightness and power, is how I believe He will appear to us.  Jesus will have a body, since He came and was born of a human woman.  He said we will have a "flesh and bone" body, but from that I believe we will not have blood.

I also believe we will have WORK to do in heaven!  It will not be "a four letter word" (for anyone who doesn't like work) but will be a joy to do.  And I believe we will continue learning throughout eternity.  For one thing, it will take that long and longer to learn all the majestic fulness of Jesus, God and Holy Spirit.

Worshipping???  Oh, yes!  Everything we do there will be an act of the highest worship!  

I wonder who came up with the cockeyed notion of sitting on clouds and strumming harps forever?  Well----it will be nice to learn how to play ANY musical instrument, for those of us who didn't receive that talent here on earth.  And YES, I will be able to sing, and sound great!  WOO-HOO!!  I can't wait to get to heaven!

Janet - I don't think I could add much, if anything, to your views of heaven.

Something I didn't comment on earlier, though, is Hell.  I think the main characteristic of Hell will be that God's grace and love will be absent.  Any good that we have here on earth at present is due to God's (what theologians call) common grace, but Hell won't experience any such grace - at all.  Oh the bitterness, the disappointments, the discouragement, the hatred, etc., etc.  And of course Heaven is exactly the opposite.

I think that one of the worst torments of Hell will be having one's memories intact.  They will remember every opportunity they had to receive Jesus, and eternity to regret making the wrong choice.  They will also remember every kindness done to them and every unkindness they did to others.  But the most awful aspect will be the total absence of God and all He represents---goodness, light, kindness, love, etc.  And to know that the last possible chance to avoid spending eternity in that terrible state is now gone forever---what torment!

Quote from: Janet on March 26, 2004, 01:52:49 PM
I think that one of the worst torments of Hell will be having one's memories intact.  They will remember every opportunity they had to receive Jesus, and eternity to regret making the wrong choice.  They will also remember every kindness done to them and every unkindness they did to others.  But the most awful aspect will be the total absence of God and all He represents---goodness, light, kindness, love, etc.  And to know that the last possible chance to avoid spending eternity in that terrible state is now gone forever---what torment!

What torment indeed!  

AMEN

Wow, thanks guys.  

What happens to the baby's that were unborn?  Will we see them too?  Will they be baby's or older?  Do unborn baby's even go to Heaven since they didn't take that breath of life?

Quote from: Sonifo on March 27, 2004, 09:58:03 AM
Wow, thanks guys.  

What happens to the baby's that were unborn?  Will we see them too?  Will they be baby's or older?  Do unborn baby's even go to Heaven since they didn't take that breath of life?

My personal opinion on this would be that these babies will be in heaven.

As to age, etc.  That's one of the "secret things" that will be revealed to us when we get there.

I don't believe that the Lord would allow a human life to be created and not have that life be in heaven to glorify Him.  I have eight little ones that I lost before they took that breath of life and I have hope of seeing them again.  It was Jack's hope also.

I'm sure that Al will be able to help us more and everyone else that's been posting.

I just am looking forward to heaven so much.  

I once heard a Southern Baptist preacher talk about babies, heaven, etc.  Basically, he ended up by saying, "They (the children) aren't in my hands.  They aren't in your hands.  They're in God's hands.  I'm glad (he said) they aren't in my hands or in your hands.  They're in the best hands they can be in."  I agree.  I don't know of any Scripture that really tells us.  I do know that "The fruit of the womb is His reward." (Ps. 127:3), and God doesn't give us "rewards" that are of no concern to Him.  But there is much about them that we cannot know now.  We will know more hereafter.  "He does all thing well" - that I know.

And I agree, Al...  Thanks so much.

I firmly believe that every baby conceived who died before birth or before reaching an age of understand so they could accept the Lord, will be in Heaven!  I also think that those who have gone to heaven ahead of us raise those babies there.  I have been taught these things through the years, and also because I know God is a God of love, mercy and justice, and what I have read in the Word, I believe these things to be true.  While I cannot quote chapter and verse, I still believe them to be true.

Each baby conceived has within him/her a spirit that lives forever---age doesn't change that.

And that's my OPINION! 

I firmly believe that every baby conceived who died before birth or before reaching an age of understand so they could accept the Lord, will be in Heaven! 

My hubby just told that to a JW at our door.

He , also, preached a bible verse in which he refered these sayings but I forgot which one.

We just know that we trust our loving GOD to show us our two little ones who died before their first breath.

It will be a day of great glory.

Love in Christ,

Joyce

May I share a message from Charles Stanley on what Heaven will be like?

It is critical to understand what the Word of God has to say about these two places.

Today, let's consider heaven. The Scriptures describe it as a place decorated with gold, silver, and precious stones. (Revelation 21:18-19) This heavenly decor suggests valuables inconceivable to the mind of man.

It's going to be far more wonderful and far more dazzling than anything the beloved disciple John could imagine, even with the fantastic visions he was afforded.

As grand as all that may be, the real question is not what we shall see but whom we shall see.

Do you know what makes heaven heaven?

It is the presence of the Lord God Almighty. Forever and ever, you and I will live in unbroken service, fellowship, and bliss with the Trinity and every single saint who will be in heaven.

I keep thinking of these words and thought I would share with you.

Love in Christ,

Joyce

Charles Stanley goes on to say:


In sharp contrast to its descriptions of the glories of heaven, the Bible talks very clearly about another eternal abode called hell. This is the location of those assigned to eternal separation from God.

There is no way the human mind can begin to conceive of being eternally doomed to the darkness and loneliness of perpetual exile from God. Here there is no hope, no mercy, no help, and no relief.

IMO

Scary thoughts, right??

But to those who believe, I pray we will all be together.

I am not much for jewelry or gems so my delight will be to serve the LORD in the capacity that HE sees fit for me.

Another question, what will our rewards be in Heaven??

Love in Christ,

Joyce

I think, in a nutshell, one could say this...

Simply being eternally in the presence of God is heaven. 

Being eternally without the possibility of the presence of God is hell. 

What is going on "around" us in heaven or hell will make no difference.  What will make all the difference is whose presence we are in. 

I know the joy I have felt here on earth from the presence of the Holy Spirit.  It's amazing.  To be honored with that joy for eternity makes me feel so free.  To be surrounded by pure love with no sense of duty, only love.  Will the streets of gold be important?  I really don't think so.  They hold wonder for me; but it don't matter if they are literally gold or if that was John alliterating the majesty and trying to describe the pure, unadulterated amazement he had at what he saw. 

I've heard golfers say "I'll hit a hole in one in heaven" or something like that.  Maybe so, and that's okay with me, but I honestly don't think I'll feel the competitive drive that makes golf intriguing here.  Why would I want to "beat" someone else at the game?  Makes no sense.  I will be in the presence of perfect love, and I will have no sin. 

Whoa.  I will have NO sin.  The stuff that I fight every day.  The mess that drags me down.  The frustration that I feel.  The road rage in the afternoons.  The disappointment when I say something I shouldn't.  GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To me, heaven is the presence of One and the absence of many....

Hell is the absence of One and the presence of all those other things....

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Nard you've really said it in a nutshell!
I totally agree with every word you've just shared.
God bless us, every one.....

Very well said, Nards!  Kudos!

QuoteBy Al~But Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior has come.  He's saved His people by going to the Cross for them, and one day He's coming again to receive them to Himself.  That's the day in which there will be a "new heavens and a new earth in which dwelleth righteousnesss.  At that time, bit by bit, the harm that was done to creation shall be undone (see Is. 11).  You and I will serve our Lord in the renewed earth, and it'll be wonderful indeed!

So - where is heaven?  When we first die, if Christ has not yet come again, then I believe that our spirits go immediately to be with Him.  Then, when He comes, those who had died and gone to be with Him come with Him.  The rest of His people join them in the air, then they all continue to earth, where He conducts the judgement.  The the renewed earth then becomes heaven - just because He's there.

What do you all think of what Al wrote here?

Soni, I do not agree with all Al has written, but I don't want to start a controversy that might cause anyone hard feelings.

What is it that you don't agree on?  Isn't that what it says in the Bible? 

Please don't think I want to start an arguement.

Hey, y'all - don't worry, please, about starting a controversy.  Even I don't always agree with everything I say!  We can disagree on some points, discuss it by referring to the Word, maybe come to agreement, maybe not.  All the while, as long as we hold to our Savior's deity and the necessity of His death to atone for our sins, it'll be ok, 'cause we'll still love each other.  Amen?

Amen!