Episodes
Monday Jan 30, 2017
Living in the Present Heaven
Monday Jan 30, 2017
Monday Jan 30, 2017
At first glance, there isn't much written in the Bible about life in the 'present' heaven. But if we do a little digging we'll find answers to the many facets of the question, "what happens when I die"? Listen in on the discussion...
Notes and Outline
What Will We Do In Heaven?
Again, the answer differs depending on what ‘stage’ of heaven we are talking about. In the ‘present’ heaven we’ll be in the spiritual realm with physical characteristics and presumably out of the grip of time. In the millennial kingdom and the new earth, the answer reflects our physical realm and resurrection bodies and minds.
Our Reference Authority
As we look to Scripture for our answers we see some clues in the rich man and lazarus account. We pick up a few clues in Revelation where John was shown into heaven. Paul reveals a vague account but held back some of what he heard. Daniel and Ezekiel interfaced with heaven’s creatures and the pre-incarnate Christ. Rounding out our search is focusing on the character of God.
At present, God is in the 3rd heaven with Jesus by His side. Jesus is advocating for those on earth. I would suspect those in present heaven will hear this. The angels know when someone is saved and they rejoice. Obviously this is from hearing the conversation between Father and Son and possibly because they can see what is happening on earth.
Along the same vein, will we pray in heaven because we can hear the Advocates prayers?
Certainly, we see rejoicing, praise and worship. But consider the logical activities that occur when all of saved mankind is together in space and time…
We will be fellowshipping and visiting and testifying and listening. Think of all of the questions we could ask our bible heroes. What of the questions and stories we could ask of people we’ve known? What about connecting up with your relatives? And even your ancestors that you have not met yet. And likely every minute someone new will be saved or suddenly enter heaven. New people, new stories, new experiences. Loners will not be in heaven. Being in Christ is a draw to fellowship.
God has emotions. They are revealed in Scripture. We won’t likely lose ours. I think sadness or grief or depression will surely be banished immediately because they are a function of sin and brokenness.
We wonder if we’ll be bored. In answer, no. God is not boring! Jesus is fun and cool! He used to walk the countryside, mountains, go fishing, campfires on the beach. Dude! Think of all of the things that God created on earth out of nothing. His imagination knows no end. And we’ll be in His presence. Boredom is a sin thought. We typically relate fun with sin. You know… getting drunk or high, having immoral sex, breaking the law, etc. Think through things you like to do that don’t involve sin… [can you?!! ha ha] and the fun you have doing that. Add in the likelihood that we won’t be bound be mortal bodies and gravity. What fun can we have being unbound? We know what the first and second heaven looks like, won’t the third heaven be AT LEAST as spectacular?
Remember that God resides in a temple with the ark of the covenant.
Remember that the focal point we will be looking forward to is the Marriage Supper and the great horse ride back into the physical realm accompanying Jesus as He returns to Jerusalem and sets up the new kingdom. Are you still bored?
Consider that nobody who encountered the pre-incarnate Christ, the incarnate Christ, angels, or creatures from heaven or were shown into heaven or were told to write down what they saw—ever described things as boring. No way. Inexpressible. Unimaginable. Powerful. Nobody is described as trying to get out of heaven. Out of hell yes but not out of heaven!
As we get ready to ride from heaven with the purpose of reigning with Jesus in the Kingdom on Earth… what will we be doing? Will we help build things, like planting a church? There is a 75 day period before the Kingdom begins… what happens during that?
Monday Jan 23, 2017
The Present Heaven-Stage 1
Monday Jan 23, 2017
Monday Jan 23, 2017
As Christians, we look towards heaven as the place we go when we die. But where is it? What’s it like? And what will we be like? To complicate matters, there are three time stages of heaven. The present heaven, the coming 1000 year kingdom on earth, and the future new heaven.
Notes and Outline
Where Is Heaven?
Jesus never said we go to heaven, rather that we go through Him to the Father, or that He gives us eternal life, or that wherever he is, there we will be.
Outline of the Present Heaven
Where is it? A. It’s in the third Heaven where God lives with Jesus at His right hand. The bible mentions three heavens. It means, the atmosphere around our earth, space, and the 3rd heaven where God resides.
- 2 Cor 12:2-4 Paul’s testimony
- It is a spiritual realm with physical characteristics; like earth but not exactly Rev 1:19; 4:1; 5:1,8,11,13; 10:9,10
- God resides in the temple there Rev 11:19; 3:12; 7:15; 14:15-17; 15:5-8; 16:1,17; The ark of the covenant is/will be there Rev 11:19 Jesus always referred to His Father who is in heaven.
- The human body cannot exist there. Has to die before we go there.
- Our spirit goes there upon death Eccl. 12:7; Psalm 146:4; 104:29
- We are given some type of spirit body in the nature of angels, as demonstrated at the transfiguration Matt 17:2 and the Appearance Luke 24:39 and the Ascension Acts 1:9; but isn’t detailed in Scripture and isn’t permanent, facilitates us living in the spiritual realm before we return to the physical realm
- Unknown how far away this spiritual realm is
- In this present heaven we are fully conscious and there are physical elements we are familiar with as revealed in Luke 16:9 and many other places throughout the bible.
- God departs from the temple He is residing in, takes up new dwelling in new Jerusalem Rev 21:3
- Not permanent. This heaven will ‘pass away’ when the new heaven is created Zech 2:10-12; Isa 65:17; Rev 21:22
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO STUDY ABOUT HEAVEN?
- Jesus said, signs will inform us, look to the sky for His return, live for that day - use our talents.
- Answers the q. of ‘what happens when we die’
- Gives us hope in this life, helps understand eternal life
- Exposes Truth rather than legend, cancels fear
- Heaven Is our eternal home
- Jesus is evidence of the permanency of the physical realm
- Inspires and directs us how to live now esp. in relationships, work, and sleep
- We don’t fear hell enough because we don’t ave a full picture of heaven
- Inspires & directs us what to spend our time on now
- We truly don’t want heaven bad enough
- Inspires us to share the gospel with loved ones
Monday Jan 16, 2017
Heaven Our Home
Monday Jan 16, 2017
Monday Jan 16, 2017
The place of home is a powerful draw on us. Do we realize that heaven is our forever home? Do we long to go there? Let's listen in to the discussion...
Notes and Outline
Heaven is home. Christians have always thought of going to heaven as going home.
On earth, we always orient towards going home.
Taken from scripture, we find…
- Home is about comfort.
- Where friends come to visit.
- Only good things will happen in our heaven home. Jesus said He goes to prepare our home for us.
- When we or a loved one dies, we go to a better home, a better party. When we step through the door everyone is so happy to see us! We go around greeting, hugging, kissing.
- In the 1000 yr Kingdom the only new entries are babies of natural bodies. In the New Earth there are no new people.
- As heaven transitions from present heaven to 1000 yr kingdom to new earth it just keeps getting better. We go from 1) spiritual existence that has physical elements, to 2) resurrected earth, to 3) new earth. Like getting that brand new car or brand new home. Got that new car smell!
- The resurrected earth period will be much like living in a huge garden that we traveled to with ease. Upon arrival we start nesting and setting up things. We have much daylight and unending energy. We wanna go outside and play. We wanna go talk to the neighbors or check in with others we’ve been longing to see but haven’t yet.
- We are unrushed because our frame of reference of time has been 80 years not 1000!
- As we settle in and start planting we watch as things blossom so easily and beautifully. We are relaxed because we know no-one is there to do us harm. Snakes and spiders will not concern us. We can’t wait to go fishing in that great river.
- At the same time we know God is preparing this heavenly city to come out of heaven down to earth. Something to look forward to!
- At the end of the 1000 years all of the elements are burned up with fire and we find ourselves in an entirely new earth with a new heaven and a new Jerusalem. Almost like looking in the distance at Oz, except that we’ll be in the City.
- As it lands on earth like a huge spaceship it’s beauty is beyond anything we’ve known. The great river starts flowing out from the throne past the gates and walls out onto the new earth.
- We walk along the streets that are paved with gold. Which gate will we use? The walls are spectacular, kinda clear, made of jasper. The foundations are made of beautiful jewels in them.
- As we encounter people we know they only speak truth, kindness, love to us. They are real. No hidden agendas. No talking behind our backs. No conflicts with other people. No cliques.
- We are feeling so safe, secure, happy as we see God literally sitting on His throne and Jesus there next to Him. We can talk to them directly. His name is actually on our foreheads!
- How long before we decide we want to leave this extravagant city and go out through the incredible gates of one huge pearl and put our feet on the new earth?
Monday Jan 16, 2017
The Road to New Jerusalem
Monday Jan 16, 2017
Monday Jan 16, 2017
What physical world events will happen that let us know Jesus is returning? Where will they happen? When will they happen? Where will WE be? What happens to physical earth? Listen in on this introduction...
Notes & Outline
Jerusalem is the spiritual center of the earth. All the surrounding nations will unite against Israel. The UN Resolution is but one example
God will enter into judgment at the battle at Armageddon
Psalm 83:4; Joel 3:2
When?
The Antichrist
70th Week: Daniel 7:24-27; 9:24-27; 12:7-13
_period of time known as the tribulation.
_a 7 year period beginning with the confirmation of a treaty by the man of lawlessness.
_During this period many things will happen, but the primary thing to know is God will release His Judgments and His Holy Wrath upon the Earth and it’s remaining occupants. Rev. 4-19.
_2 periods of 3 1/2 years (Rev & Dan)
_plus a final of 30 + 45 days (Dan 12:11,12) wind carry...
When and In What Order?
The Battle at Armageddon, Return of Christ & Saints Rev 19:11,17
1000 yr Kingdom sandwiched by two wars Rev 20:1-3
THE GOG - MAGOG WAR AGAINST ISRAEL Rev 20:7-10 (Eze 38,39)
Why is this important to me? Where will we be during these events?
Jesus said, signs will inform us, look to the sky for His return, live for that day - use our talents.
Sunday Jan 01, 2017
Jerusalem - U.N. Resolution
Sunday Jan 01, 2017
Sunday Jan 01, 2017
This latest resolution puts many countries including the USA on the wrong side of God's plan. Does this matter to us here? and now? Find out...
Notes & Outline
Genesis 12 & U.N. Resolution of Dec 2016
The Bible warns the destiny of the World is inseparable from Israel and Jerusalem.
The Bible says God would one day re-gather the children of Israel back into their land from among many nations around the world.
The Bible says they would be re-gathered in unbelief ... God warns He is not re-gathering the children of Israel into their Land because they deserve it, but because His Name and His Word are at stake (see Ezekiel 36:17-23) ... and because He loves them. They are His chosen people.
The Bible warns God would then make Jerusalem a world trouble spot. The Bible says all nations of the world will turn against Israel.
The Bible warns a coming world leader (the 'Antichrist') will rise out of 10 nations which once formed the Roman Empire and will enforce a peace plan or treaty (‘covenant’) upon Israel ... Then, one day when the armies of the world will gather in and around nation Israel (the coming battle of Armageddon) and when all seems lost for the children of Israel, the Bible says a believing remnant will recognize their Messiah from Scripture, and will call upon His Name. He will then return to save Israel.
The Bible also tells us 'after these things' the little nation of Israel and the children of Israel will rule over all the nations on Earth, in peace, under her King and Messiah Jesus Christ
Origins
1st of 7 Promises Great Nation Genesis 12:3
2nd of 7 Promises (the Land) Gen 13:14-18
God’s Timetable Daniel 7:24-27; 9:24-27; 12:7-13
Prophecy
Israel will be divided
Nations will be judged Joel 3:1-2
Armageddon Revelation 16:12-16
Final Attack Against Israel Eze 38:8,15,16,23 / Revelation 20:7-10
Israel & Saints shall rule all nations Rev 21 - New H, E, J
WHY THIS TEACHING? Primarily to teach a biblical worldview on the recent UN Resolution and America’s abstention and how Israel factors into our future.
Jesus said to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria. Judea and Samaria are in the West Bank which is the area the UN Resolution 2016 (and previous ones) deals with. And it is part of the historical lands given to Israel by God.
What's Special about Israel?
The land variously called Israel and Palestine is extremely small (about 10,000 square miles) compared to its neighbors. Its original Jewish occupants were scattered to the nations some 2,500 years ago and since then it has been occupied by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Turks and the British. Even in 1900 the population of Israel was only some 500,000; it was politically and industrially insignificant, with a mix of many peoples representing some 50 languages. So why is Israel frequently in world focus today?
It is prophesied that all nations will eventually abandon support for Israel; in fact, all nations will eventually be gathered against her in war. T
The Whole World Against Israel
This international bias is best seen in UN Resolutions. As of 2012, the UN had passed 79 resolutions directly critical of Israel, and 40% of UN Human Rights Council Resolutions have been against Israel. This is surprising since Israel is the only true democracy left in the Middle East.
The pre-Christmas resolution condemned Israeli settlements as illegal, siding with the Palestinians and their claims that Israel is trespassing on their territory in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.