Resources by Topic: Heaven

It’s so easy for us to take what we know here in this present life, and think that what’s in Heaven will be a copy or derivative of our present experience. But it’s more accurate to view things like marriage now as a shadow of the true reality.

How much “time” elapses or how the dead experience any delays while waiting in the current, temporary Heaven is anybody’s guess. Scripture tells us everything we need to know for now and God will reveal as much more as He cares to when the right time comes.

I think He will always intercede for us because He loves us, and because even though we will not always be sinners, we will always be His finite creatures. To be finite is to be needy, even if one is morally perfect.

One day all Heaven will attend the ultimate wedding, and we will be Christ's bride (see Revelation 19:7-9). However, I do envision that people who’ve had important roles in each other’s lives will continue to be friends—and that would include a lot of people who’ve been married.

I can see what you’re saying about that almost sounding creepy. But that certainly isn’t what Randy is conveying. Here is what else he has written that I hope might help.

Sometimes we have an anti-works mentality, which is unfortunate since immediately after saying we are not saved by our works, God tells us “we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:8-10). 

The presence of God is the essence of Heaven. John Milton put it, “Thy presence makes our Paradise, and where Thou art is Heaven.” Heaven will be a physical extension of God’s goodness.

Tragically,  most people do not find their joy in Christ and Heaven. In fact, many people find no joy at all when they think about Heaven.

Writing about this verse, Randy says, “‘All things’ is broad and comprehensive (ESV, NASB, LSB, NCV). Of all things in Heaven and on Earth, absolutely nothing will be left out. All will be brought under the rule of Jesus (with the specific, designated exceptions of fallen angels and people who reject salvation in Christ).”

In this clip from a student session at the Kingdom Advisors Conference, Randy uses the illustration of living for the line, not the dot, to show the importance of living with a heavenly perspective.

In my years of writing about Heaven, I’ve found there are dozens of questions I'm repeatedly asked. I enjoyed answering several during my conversation with Josh Lewis and Michael Rowntree, on their podcast The Remnant Radio.

Randy does think that on the New Earth, in the ages to came, we’ll learn how God answered our prayers. He writes: “We anticipate Heaven, where we’ll learn God’s breath-taking answers to our prayers, including many that seemed unheard and ignored.”

When Jesus told His disciples that they would rule over the tribes of Israel, it could appear to be favoritism because of the fact that they were among the twelve. But He had more in mind than that, I think.

In this clip from a Q&A at the Kingdom Advisors Conference, Randy points out that many Christians do not think tangibly about the physical resurrection believers will experience on the New Earth.