I was going to use another title which is basically the same, naming it: “Heaven: At Least 1,007 Years Away.”
Question: What awaits believers in Christ at the very end of the “Age” that God has predetermined according to His Word, the Holy Bible? From the beginning in Genesis 1:27 to Revelation 20:9, all who would believe and trust in GOD and His Son Jesus Christ would inherit eternity in Heaven and all its Glory. Scripture is factual and still relevant even today because the Lord and His Word will not change.
A quick note about the 1,007 years that are mentioned: Presently, if Jesus came today for his Church, the believers in the Rapture, it would be at least that many years before we would enter the “new Heaven” that’s spoken of in chapter 21 of Revelation. After the rapture, the remaining people on earth would enter the 7-year Tribulation period described in the Bible. The issue is, we don’t know when that really starts. There could be and probably will be a “time gap” for various reasons before it starts. Some believers and theologians believe that the Antichrist will reveal himself during this gap period.
Then, at the end of the Tribulation period of seven years (Jewish calendar of 360 days per year), the Lord Jesus comes back (with the Saints-Rev. 19:14) and slays the wicked, thus beginning His earthly reign of 1,000 years from His Throne in Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:3, 14:4-9, & others). This is just a rough overview but you can understand what I am saying.
Therefore, what awaits us in the future is so glorious and marvelous, we cannot really imagine even if we wanted too; here’s why:
1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
We can’t really comprehend, in any way, what Heaven or Glory is going to be like for all eternity. I hope you know and believe in Him! Call upon the Lord now so you can have this peace that surpasses all understanding which is, you belong to the Lord. The opposite of this is denying Jesus as Lord and spending an eternity in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15) after you have stood before God at the great White Throne Judgment (verses 11-13). People go to an eternal hell/fire because of the wrong choice they have made. They send themselves there.
Revelation: Chapter 21
Free at last: Yes, we will be free of sin, sufferings, and the body we had that was wasting away in all its corruptible ways. We will have a new incorruptible body just like Jesus that the Apostle Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15; read it. That’s one of the many promises God gives us, the saints.
There will be a new heaven and earth promised to us also in Revelation 21:1 “And I saw a new heaven and earth: for the first heaven and first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” Here are two more corresponding verses that back this one up:
Isaiah 65:17 “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come to mind.”
2 Peter 3:13 “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
Notice the key words that God is giving us here. Create, new, and former. Some believe this present earth will just be revamped, reconstructed, and made like new. It’s possible; but this is not the opinion I hold to.
Let’s look at what Chapter 21 shows us that we can be excited about while we serve the Lord here, especially in these difficult times. I’m not going to bring up the “Virus” here.
There are seven new things that we can look forward to that are brought up in my Scofield Study Bible.
*The new heaven
*The new earth
*The new peoples
*The Lambs wife: The New Jerusalem
*The new temple
*The new light
*The new Paradise and its river of the water of life (Chapter 22)
Read this chapter in awe and amazement in what God is giving us – a “sneak peak of a wondrous heaven.” But now, our eyes should be fixed on him, and not the world. Caution: there is a warning here in one verse that everyone should look at seriously and know not to be a part of.
Verse 8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Ouch: take heed and notice. This is what will happen if a person rejects Christ and desires to live his or her way throughout life without the Gospel of salvation.
Short summary of the new things:
1 & 2- self-explanatory; vs. 1 & 2, it says what it means, and it means what it says.
3- God will have a new people who will reign and serve him forever without any present human imperfections we now have. Verse 7- “I will be his God, and he shall be my son”; perfect, sinless, humble adoration, fellowship, and servitude throughout all eternity. Wow!
4- Look at verses 9 & 10. We are the Bride of Christ spiritually (Jews and Gentiles), the wife of the Lamb. We will live in a new city that God is preparing for us now (John 14:1-3). The great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven, will be our new home. Read 11-21 to see how it’s built.
5- There will be no literal temple like there was on the previous earth. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple; vs. 22.
6- 23-27, The Lamb, Jesus, will be the light. There will be no need for a moon or sun to give light. Notice the end of verse 27, “but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” How Glorious!
7- Chapter 22 covers this.
I don’t know about you, but I hope to see you in Glory one day; paradise, just like when Jesus told the thief on the Cross right before he died, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” That’s where we are headed when our time is up on this earth, or when Jesus comes to get us in the Rapture if we/you are alive at His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
I pray that this has blessed your soul in many ways and you will share it all over. It’s the truth because God’s Word is the Truth.
Peace be unto you,
Clay Smith
All Scripture taken from the King James Bible
All emphasis mine.