Resources by Topic: Heaven

Believers often wonder about the connection between suffering and being the heirs of God, which Paul talks about in Romans 8:16-17. Randy Alcorn addresses this by pointing out that a spoiled prince turns into a tyrant king. In contrast to this, suffering in this life prepares us to rule with grace and mercy in the life to come. Randy emphasizes that though we will be made perfect (free of sin) in Heaven, we will not suddenly lose all the growth and refinement we went through on earth. Our life here prepares us for Heaven. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn quotes Abraham Kuyper, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, who emphasized that the knowledge and dominion that we gain here over this world will continue to be significant in the Kingdom. Randy argrees that there is continuity between this life and the next. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn quotes Dallas Willard who says that we were created to govern the earth and were therefore made in the divine likeness of God. Randy further clarifies that the statement found in Genesis 1 that we were created in the divine image is in the immediate context of our God given job to rule the earth. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn quotes several verses showing that in Heaven God will give authority as a reward. And though we will lay our crowns before God like the elders do in Revelation 4:10, this does not mean we will walk away from our positions of leadership as given by God. Rather, the image of laying our crowns before Him demonstrates that our positions of leadership will be dedicated to God. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Because of our experiences with hierarchy in this world, the idea of having someone over us and someone under us inherently carries a negative connotation. But Randy Alcorn explains that because God is absolutely good, hierarchy in God's kingdom will not have the negative aspects we experience in this fallen world. All will have some area of responsibility, will be under the authority of someone and possibly have authority over others. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn quotes several verses that show God intended man to rule over the earth and will do so in His kingdom. However, many people do not look forward to this. Randy encourages us not to think about ruling as we understand it now in this fallen world. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

In 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 Paul says that the saints will judge the world and even angels. However, Randy Alcorn emphasizes that the word "judge" refers more to ruling, like the judges who ruled Israel, than to judging sin, though some believers limit our ruling to the Millennium when some people will still be living in sin. Yet, the need for ruling over the world does not require the presence of sin, as seen in Adam and Eve's rule over the animals and the land before the fall. So our task of ruling will continue long past the fallen world. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Yes. Scripture says that we will see God's face. But what does that actually mean? Randy Alcorn elaborates on this answer. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn looks at Paul's writings in which he thanks those who have partnered in supporting His ministry to shed light on this question. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn looks at Paul's writings in which he thanks those who have partnered in supporting His ministry to shed light on this question. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn quotes two authors who make the point that all of human history is moving toward the renewal of the universe. Everything from history which refelects God will be remembered in the New Jerusalem. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 1 that God's explicitly intended eternal plan is to bring all things on earth as well as in heaven under the authority of Christ. Randy Alcorn argues that God doesn't plan to just abandon earth. Rather He will answer the greatest prayer of all time by renewing the earth and making His will be done on earth for all eternity as it is already done in Heaven. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn shows from Scripture that God does not distance Himself from the earth. His kingdom is not "out there somewhere." He will renew the earth and it will be our inheritance. God's kingdom is here on Earth as well. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Some think that because Jesus said in John 18, "My kingdom is not of this world" there will be no rule of God on Earth, but Randy Alcorn shows from many Scriptures that God's rule is clearly intended to extend to this world. Though at the time of Jesus' first coming his kingdom was first a spiritual kingdom meant to save souls, Jesus will rule on the earth. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.