Resources by Topic: Heaven

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.

Serving God is our joy. But Randy Alcorn quotes Jesus who said that God our Master serves us. This doesn't make Him our servant. But how great is His love for us that He would serve us by saving us to let us be with Him? This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

According to Jonathan Edwards, when we go to heaven it will be like being "cast into a sea of happiness" because we will be filled to capacity with God and His rewards. But Randy Alcorn explains that different size vessels will be filled with different amounts of rewards. Yet all will be filled and satisfied. The greater our obedience and service to God in this life, the bigger the vessel we become. But no matter the size of the vessel in Heaven, we will all be equally happy because we will all be completely filled. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

What's wrong with rewards? Nothing. Randy Alcorn emphasizes that if rewards were our idea, there would be a problem. But God chose to give us rewards and Scripture tells us so repeatedly. Because works don't achieve our salvation we have deminished the delight that our service to God brings Him. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn points out that we are often uncomfortable about the idea of God giving us rewards. But rewards are simply what God wants to give because He delights in us and we have pleased Him. This doesn't make it about the rewards, rather it makes it about the God who gives the rewards. Yet we should gladly receive the gifts that God wants to give us. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.