Hey Gang,
Did you know that the second most popular book of all time is Pilgrim’s Progress, second to only the Bible. It tells the allegorical story of Christian, a pilgrim who journeys through life enduring suffering, temptations, and setbacks on his way to the Celestial City. This story was originally written to entertain and challenge the author’s children, but it became a great inspiration for the millions who relate to Christian, his acquaintances, and his struggles.
Did you know that the second most popular book of all time is Pilgrim’s Progress, second to only the Bible. It tells the allegorical story of Christian, a pilgrim who journeys through life enduring suffering, temptations, and setbacks on his way to the Celestial City. This story was originally written to entertain and challenge the author’s children, but it became a great inspiration for the millions who relate to Christian, his acquaintances, and his struggles.
John Bunyan (1628–1688) penned Pilgrim’s Progress as he sat in a Bedford jail. The Anglican church had required that preachers obtain a license after agreeing with state-approved doctrine. Bunyan would not compromise his faith and was repeatedly imprisoned for preaching without a license. Bunyan wrote several other books including Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and The Holy City.
This Sunday we will come to the end of God's Story and what a story it has been for we too are pilgrims on a journey to the celestial city. God has already revealed the completion of the story, and He wants the promise of Christ’s return and of heaven to encourage each of us that follow Him. The Bible tells us that believers do not need to live in fear of the end time. Think about this:
- Only God would create a world that demonstrates Him with sunrises, sunsets, and an indescribable menagerie of creatures.
- Only God would have the plan in place for eternal forgiveness before the first sin was ever committed.
- Only God would use 2,000 years of His chosen people’s writings to point to His Son.
- Only God would let us in on the inside scoop on how life works.
- Only God would come Himself in the flesh to demonstrate how to live, to show the loveliness of life according to His rules.
- Only God would let us know when it will come to pass.
- Because only God knew the end of the Story before it began.
Where are you when you think of the end times!
“I’m ready to go to heaven to see my loved ones.”
“I’m not ready
to go to heaven yet; there’s more I want to experience here. Please God, don’t
take me to heaven yet – I haven’t even been to Hawaii!”
Life Goal
Live in joyful
anticipation of eternity.
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If you could know one thing about heaven when you die - what would it be?
I. THE PLAN – JOHN 14:1-3
The Way to the Father
14 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.
John 14:1-3 is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse. Jesus gave His farewell discourse to prepare His disciples for life after His return to the Father. The disciples were troubled by His departure announcement and Jesus sought to comfort them. Jesus called on His disciples to believe in God and in Himself. He was going away to prepare a place for them, and He promised that He would come back for them so they might be with Him.
What does it mean to believe in God? What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
- It’s more than just accepting that they exist. To believe them as Jesus instructs, we must believe what they have told us about themselves and live according to those truths.
Choices of interpretation:
1. You believe in God (statement) and you believe in Me (statement). According to this translation, Jesus merely stated the fact His disciples’ hearts did not need to be troubled because they already believed in God and in Jesus.
2. You believe in God (statement), believe also in Me (command). According to this translation, Jesus stated the reality of His disciples’ belief in God and called on them to believe in Him also. By trusting in Jesus as they already trusted in God, their hearts would be comforted.
3. Believe in God (command); believe also in Me (command). According to this translation, Jesus commanded belief in God and in Jesus as the way to quiet their troubled heart. This is the preferred rendering in the Holman Christian Standard Bible with a note suggesting the second option.
4. Believe in God (command) even as you believe in Me (statement). According to this translation, Jesus commanded His disciples to have faith in God even as they already believed in Jesus.
Of these four possibilities, I prefer the second. Jesus’ disciples demonstrated basic faith in God. As Jesus prepared for departure, His disciples needed to believe in Him the same way. in all four translations God and Jesus (Me) are considered equals.
Why does Jesus tell about the dwelling places? How does Hebrews 11:13-16 demonstrate that Old Testament men and women of faith already believed in Jesus’ explanation of heaven?
- Jesus assured His disciples He would prepare a place for them in heaven. He stated the reality that “in My Father’s house,” known to us as heaven, “are many dwelling places.” The King James Version reads “mansions,” a word used to denote the magnificence and grandeur of heaven. The Greek word for either dwelling places or mansions refers to rooms or abodes within a larger house. Jesus stressed to His disciples that God had a place fot them in His house. Jesus’ departure would not be permanent. Instead, He was going away to prepare a place for them.
- The passage in Hebrews helps us understand that without being told, those who believed God in the Old Testament had faith He would provide an eternal place for them. Glory!
Many people, even believers, fear the end times and are hesitant to talk about them. Why might that be true?
1. Believers do not have to live in fear if they live in trust.
2. Jesus has prepared a place in heaven for all who believe in Him.
3. Believers can live in anticipation that Jesus will come again.
God’s entire Story focuses on His desire for fellowship with those whom He created in His image. Sin broke fellowship; faith in Jesus restores it. Yet, believers have to live in a sin-laden world, waiting for Christ’s return. God revealed the completion of His Story by promising Christ’s return. Jesus is preparing a place in His Father’s house for all believers and will come to take them to be with Him forever.
God’s Story didn’t begin with creation; it began with God, who always was and always will be. God’s Story doesn’t end with the resurrection of Jesus and the creation of the church; it won’t ever end, because God always will be. But there’s more to the story; we’ll be there – Forever – with Him!
II. THE PRESENCE – REVELATION 21:1-4; 22:1-5
The New Creation
21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. 2 I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.
The Source of Life
22 Then he showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the broad street of the city. The tree of life was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, 3 and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves will serve Him. 4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.
The Book of Revelation is a vision of God’s provision for His people and His conclusion to the Story. As Revelation 21 begins, Satan and unbelievers have been judged and eternally banished. God’s Story concludes with a glimpse of the wonderful things God has prepared for those believing in Jesus. John describes his vision of things related to the new heaven and the new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away. God would dwell with His people and would do away with death, grief, crying, and pain. John was shown the river of living water flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The tree of life was there, and there was no longer any curse. The residents of heaven would serve God and see His face.
What will be in heaven? What won’t be in heaven? Why will it all be new?
- God will be with us, as well as a river of living water, the tree of life, the Lamb (Jesus).
- Included in the list of things we won’t find are tears, death, grief, crying, pain, the sea, the curse (see Genesis 3), sun, or lights.
John wrote the Revelation from the isle of Patmos, where Rome had banished him for failing to honor the emperor over Jesus. Separated from his church in Ephesus by the Aegean Sea, John envisioned a new heaven and a new earth where the sea no longer existed.
John saw the new Jerusalem, which he called the Holy City. In contrast to unholy Rome, the new Jerusalem is the Holy City. Both Rome and Jerusalem in the Revelation are metaphors for the people who make up those cities. Rome represents all peoples and governments who set themselves against God. New Jerusalem represents all who put their faith in Jesus. Coming down out of heaven pointed to God as the source of the new city.
The analogy of the bride was a common metaphor for the relationship between God and His people (Hos. 2:20; Eph. 5:32; Rev. 21:9-10). John not only saw wondrous things, he heard wondrous things too. In the new creation, God’s desire for unbroken fellowship with His people is fulfilled. This perfect union of God and His people fulfills God’s promise made first to Abraham and repeated many times throughout the Bible (Gen. 17:7; Ex. 6:7; Lev. 26:12; Jer. 7:23; 11:4; 24:7; 30:22).
Jesus redeemed believers from the curse (Gal. 3:13-19). Adam and Eve’s lives were thrown into turmoil and despair. Revelation 22:1-5 restores the losses of Genesis 3:1-19.
Without doubt, the most marvelous thing about heaven will be God’s presence. Think about what will be present and absent in heaven, what is the second most marvelous thing about heaven?
How is reflecting on Christ’s return an important part of your faith?
1. The Lord has prepared a place for the redeemed, the holy city where God is present and they will live in complete fellowship with Him.
2. In the place the Lord has prepared the redeemed will be free from all the pains and sorrows of life on earth and set free to worship and live in triumph for eternity.
III. THE PROMISE – REVELATION 22:12-14
12 “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
Jesus reminded His people He was coming quickly. The term quickly refers to how He will come not to when He will come. No one but God knows when Jesus will come! Whenever He does come, He will come too quickly for people to change their allegiances. Jesus could come before you finish reading this lesson or tarry for another 2,000 years. Therefore, He challenged His disciples to live by faith, doing His work every day, for no one knows the hour of His coming. He also promised rewards to those He found working when He returns (Matt. 24:44-46).
John’s vision concludes with Jesus saying that He is coming quickly and will bring a reward for each person according to his or her deeds.
What in the description of heaven speaks to a point of need in your life?
1. Consider it both a warning and a promise: Jesus will come again!
2. What we do in this life has eternal consequences.
3. The Lord promises the blessing of eternal life and a welcome into the eternity of heaven to those who believe in Him.
The story is over but not yet fully ended. Jesus will come again to consummate all things. Then we shall see that what seems like the end is actually the beginning of all that God had in mind for His people from creation. We shall live in eternal fellowship with Him, bringing glory to His name. Hallelujah! Amen!
5 Lasting Truths from God’s Story:
1. Realize there is an end to pain and troubles.
2. Believe that there is so much more to heaven than a reunion; God Almighty is there!
3. Know that heaven will be even better than what we long for.
4. Delight in getting ready by passionately obeying Jesus as beloved Lord.
5. Look forward to eternity and want everyone we know to spend it with us in heaven.
The life to come will be vastly superior to this present, temporary existence. It will be a life abounding in both purpose and pleasure: "In your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore," wrote David (Psalm 16:11).
Jesus had been with God in eternity past (John 1:1) and in heaven. With first-hand knowledge, He taught His disciples about heaven. Though Jesus didn’t often share many of the details of heaven as a place, He often taught about the kingdom (Matt. 4:23), helped His followers know that those who knew Him would rise and join Him (John 11:24), and gave many parables concerning heaven (Matt. 13). Jesus pointed to an eternity with God that gave His earthly followers fact-based hope and encouragement. This was important, for tradition tells us that all but one of the eleven disciples who carried the good news to all nations were killed for their faith. The only one who lived to an old age was John. And though he lived for Christ and was persecuted for his faith just like the others, God saw it fit to allow him to live long enough to see into heaven with his own eyes. John’s vision of the throne room in heaven (Rev. 4) is evidently the same room witnessed by the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-4). The faithful of the Old Testament knew they were looking for a “better place – a heavenly one” (Heb. 11:16), but until John’s vision no one knew just how amazing, wonderful, and powerful it would be. The Book of Revelation communicates the vision God gave to John. Through it we get a peek into heaven. Soon we will experience it for ourselves.
Prayer of Commitment
“Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Rev.22:20). Amen.
“Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Rev.22:20). Amen.
Well, here we are at the end of God's Story - do you understand more than you did before the series began? I hope so, you know God's Story truly is a pilgrim's progress on a journey of love to the celestial city. See you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
In light of these biblical truths, where does that leave us? As we have seen, the beliefs of people about the nature of heaven and hell have ranged over a broad—and confusing—spectrum. But there is one thing on which we all should agree: "The living know that they will die" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
The prospect of death has hung over the heads of mankind as long as human beings have existed. When people do not understand God's truth, they are gripped by the fear of death and enslaved in a cruel and unforgiving bondage.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary summarizes how the truth of the resurrection, exemplified in the resurrection of Christ, transformed the outlook of many: "In the first century this [fear of death] was very real. The philosophers urged people to be calm in the face of death, and some of them managed to do so. But to most people this brought no relief. Fear was widespread, as the hopeless tone of the inscriptions on tombs clearly illustrates. But one of the many wonderful things about the Christian gospel is that it delivers men and women from this fear...They are saved with a sure hope of life eternal, a life whose best lies beyond the grave" (Leon Morris, 1981, Vol. 12, p. 29, note on Hebrews 2:14-15).
The Bible reveals that the best that man can experience lies beyond the grave. It shows us that converted Christians will inherit eternal life at the first resurrection and that death will never again lay a claim on them: "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory'" (1 Corinthians 15:54).
The life to come will be vastly superior to this present, temporary existence. It will be a life abounding in both purpose and pleasure: "In your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore," wrote David (Psalm 16:11).
What will we be like?
We can know in general terms what we will be like in this resurrection because the Bible tells us we will be like the resurrected Jesus. "The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven...And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man" (1 Corinthians 15:47, 49).
We learn that in the resurrection we will take on the same image, or likeness, that Christ has. This includes becoming a spirit being with a spirit body rather than flesh and blood (see verses 45, 50).
Moreover, Paul tells us that true Christians will "share the likeness of his Son," who is "the eldest among a large family of brothers" (Romans 8:29, Revised English Bible). Did you catch that? We will be Jesus' brothers and share His likeness. Though Christ has eternally existed and we have not, we will be elevated to a plane so high that we are called children of God and brothers of Jesus Christ.
The apostle John confirms these same two truths—that we'll be children of God and that we'll have the same glorified form as Jesus Christ. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us," he writes, "that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1). And in the next verse he tells us, "We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
Raised in unimaginable splendor, we will share the divine glory and dominion of Christ (Romans 8:16-18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2:5-9; Revelation 21:7)—though we will never equal Him. He is the one Son of God who has always existed, superior to all but the Father.
The glory of Christ
What is the glory of Christ like? During His physical ministry on earth, He gave three of His disciples a preview of His appearance in this glorified spiritual state. "He was transfigured...His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" (Matthew 17:2).
Years later, at the writing of the book of Revelation, John saw a vision of the resurrected, glorified Christ. Notice how John describes His awesome appearance: "His hair was as white as snow-white wool, and his eyes flamed like fire; his feet were like burnished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of a mighty torrent...His face shone like the sun in full strength" (Revelation 1:14-16, REB).
This language describes Jesus Christ, the glorified Son of God, as a being of awe-inspiring brilliance. We, too, will share that dazzling appearance!
After His resurrection Jesus had the ability to take on the appearance He had when He existed in the flesh. Early on the morning after He rose from the garden tomb, Mary Magdalene visited His grave. When she saw the tomb was empty, she began to weep (John 20:11).
Then "Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?' She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, 'Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away'" (verse 15). So Jesus appeared to Mary as a normal human being rather than in His radiant state. She at first mistook Him for the gardener.
On another occasion Jesus appeared from nowhere inside a closed room where His disciples were meeting: "And after eight days His disciples were again inside...Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!'" (John 20:26). After His resurrection Jesus was able to pass through solid barriers—such as the walls of a building or the stone enclosure of His tomb.
Like Jesus, when we are changed to spirit we will not be limited by the laws that govern physical things. With the ability to simply materialize as Jesus did, we will not be subject to restrictions on physical objects. As part of this change we will no longer need to eat to survive, but apparently will have the option of eating for pleasure and fellowship if we choose. In two of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances He shared a meal with His disciples (Luke 24:28-30; John 21:9-15).
Those to whom God gives eternal life in the resurrection will forever possess these supernatural characteristics. Notice the description of the resurrection in the book of Daniel: "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:2-3, NIV).
What will we do as spirit beings?
As spirit beings in God's family, we will live and work at the highest possible level and environment. Jesus said, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3). We will spend eternity with God in His environment—the world of spirit and unimaginable power. We will not sit idle in our new life. We will be positively occupied. Jesus said, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working" (John 5:17).
When Christ returns to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, those in the first resurrection will serve as judges (Revelation 20:4) and priests (verse 6) and will "reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10). We will not go to heaven to live passively and idly.
Jesus will return to a world that has largely destroyed itself by living in opposition to the commands of its Creator. He will teach people to obey God's laws. He will begin a massive reeducation process to help people un learn their old ways of doing things and for the first time learn to do things God's way.
Notice Isaiah's prophecy of this future rule of Jesus as Messiah and King over the earth, wherein "mountains" and "hills" are symbolic of larger and smaller kingdoms or political states respectively: "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, 'Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
"He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:2-4).
At that time Christ will teach all people who have not known God's way. He will be assisted in this by all who are changed into glorified children of God in the resurrection at His return (see Luke 20:36).
If we enter that new life we will be endowed with great power and unlimited energy. As immortal members of God's family we will be like "the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, [who] neither faints nor is weary" (Isaiah 40:28).
A change for the better
Describing the event that will change our mortal bodies, Paul writes: "The sun has a splendour of its own, the moon another splendour, and the stars yet another; and one star differs from another in brightness. So it is with the resurrection of the dead: what is sown as a perishable thing is raised imperishable. Sown in humiliation, it is raised in glory; sown in weakness, it is raised in power; sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:41-44, REB).
God will give us bodies that will never tire nor grow ill—and minds having the kind of supernatural abilities He has. Reigning with Christ (Revelation 2:26; 3:21), we will help bring about worldwide peace. We will assist in spreading the knowledge of God to the most distant lands in His globe-spanning program of reeducation. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain," He tells us, "for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9).
Those changed at Christ's return will include all His faithful followers at His return as well as the dead who were called, had repented and who lived in faithful obedience to God. It will include all of the faithful listed in Hebrews 11, who "died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (verse 13).
Those who died in faith include Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (verses 17-21). The promise they have not yet received is the promise of the Kingdom of God. As Jesus says, "I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 8:11). Remember that the Kingdom of Heaven is synonymous with the Kingdom of God, which Christ will establish on earth at His return.
Responding to God's invitation
You can be among those who arise from all parts of the world in the resurrection to be with Christ in His Kingdom— if you respond to God's invitation. God is issuing that call through the preaching of the gospel. This very booklet you are reading is part of that effort.
The calling of God is not offered to everyone in this age. Jesus told His disciples that the understanding of God's truth is not yet available to many: "It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given" (Matthew 13:11).
The Bible speaks in several places about God's "elect" or chosen people. They are called to understand these things now, in this present age, but the rest—the vast majority—will not be called until later.
Most of the people of Israel, God's nation spoken of extensively in the Old Testament, were not called to understand the Kingdom of God during their lifetimes. Their hearts were hardened, their minds blinded. But the opportunity for most of them will come in the second resurrection. "Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded" (Romans 11:7).
Yet as Paul explains in this same chapter, the time is coming when "all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob [i.e., Israel]'" (verse 26). God's calling is carried out according to His timetable. When all is said and done, His plan is entirely fair to everyone.
Peter explains that those who now become a part of His Church are chosen in this age to receive salvation in the first resurrection. Peter says of them, "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
The good news is that God eventually will offer eternal life to everyone who repents. He desires that everyone enter His Kingdom. He wants to share this opportunity for eternal life with all (2 Peter 3:9).
In a final, breathtaking view of what God has in store for those who serve Him, the apostle John was inspired to write this glimpse of the future in Revelation, the last book of the Bible: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away...He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son" (Revelation 21:4, 7).
The future God has planned for us is fantastic beyond belief! It is far superior to the fanciful heaven of men's imagination. God will share the real future with all who repent and turn from their sins. As for those who willfully refuse to repent, they will not suffer forever in hell. They will simply cease to be. But this need not happen to you.
You may share in the eternal Kingdom of God if you heed the words Jesus spoke when He began His ministry: "The time has come...The kingdom of God is near . Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15, NIV).
Take comfort in the truth of God. There is no need to fear death if you turn your life toward Him. After all, He wants you to live with Him in abundant joy forever and ever. And He'll make that happen—if you let Him!
All that is not eternal is eternally out of date.
- C.S.Lewis
Your Awesome Future
Heaven & Hell: What does the Bible really teach?
This is by The United Church of God
Heaven & Hell: What does the Bible really teach?
This is by The United Church of God
In light of these biblical truths, where does that leave us? As we have seen, the beliefs of people about the nature of heaven and hell have ranged over a broad—and confusing—spectrum. But there is one thing on which we all should agree: "The living know that they will die" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
The prospect of death has hung over the heads of mankind as long as human beings have existed. When people do not understand God's truth, they are gripped by the fear of death and enslaved in a cruel and unforgiving bondage.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary summarizes how the truth of the resurrection, exemplified in the resurrection of Christ, transformed the outlook of many: "In the first century this [fear of death] was very real. The philosophers urged people to be calm in the face of death, and some of them managed to do so. But to most people this brought no relief. Fear was widespread, as the hopeless tone of the inscriptions on tombs clearly illustrates. But one of the many wonderful things about the Christian gospel is that it delivers men and women from this fear...They are saved with a sure hope of life eternal, a life whose best lies beyond the grave" (Leon Morris, 1981, Vol. 12, p. 29, note on Hebrews 2:14-15).
The Bible reveals that the best that man can experience lies beyond the grave. It shows us that converted Christians will inherit eternal life at the first resurrection and that death will never again lay a claim on them: "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory'" (1 Corinthians 15:54).
The life to come will be vastly superior to this present, temporary existence. It will be a life abounding in both purpose and pleasure: "In your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore," wrote David (Psalm 16:11).
What will we be like?
We can know in general terms what we will be like in this resurrection because the Bible tells us we will be like the resurrected Jesus. "The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven...And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man" (1 Corinthians 15:47, 49).
We learn that in the resurrection we will take on the same image, or likeness, that Christ has. This includes becoming a spirit being with a spirit body rather than flesh and blood (see verses 45, 50).
Moreover, Paul tells us that true Christians will "share the likeness of his Son," who is "the eldest among a large family of brothers" (Romans 8:29, Revised English Bible). Did you catch that? We will be Jesus' brothers and share His likeness. Though Christ has eternally existed and we have not, we will be elevated to a plane so high that we are called children of God and brothers of Jesus Christ.
The apostle John confirms these same two truths—that we'll be children of God and that we'll have the same glorified form as Jesus Christ. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us," he writes, "that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1). And in the next verse he tells us, "We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
Raised in unimaginable splendor, we will share the divine glory and dominion of Christ (Romans 8:16-18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2:5-9; Revelation 21:7)—though we will never equal Him. He is the one Son of God who has always existed, superior to all but the Father.
The glory of Christ
What is the glory of Christ like? During His physical ministry on earth, He gave three of His disciples a preview of His appearance in this glorified spiritual state. "He was transfigured...His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" (Matthew 17:2).
Years later, at the writing of the book of Revelation, John saw a vision of the resurrected, glorified Christ. Notice how John describes His awesome appearance: "His hair was as white as snow-white wool, and his eyes flamed like fire; his feet were like burnished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of a mighty torrent...His face shone like the sun in full strength" (Revelation 1:14-16, REB).
This language describes Jesus Christ, the glorified Son of God, as a being of awe-inspiring brilliance. We, too, will share that dazzling appearance!
After His resurrection Jesus had the ability to take on the appearance He had when He existed in the flesh. Early on the morning after He rose from the garden tomb, Mary Magdalene visited His grave. When she saw the tomb was empty, she began to weep (John 20:11).
Then "Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?' She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, 'Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away'" (verse 15). So Jesus appeared to Mary as a normal human being rather than in His radiant state. She at first mistook Him for the gardener.
On another occasion Jesus appeared from nowhere inside a closed room where His disciples were meeting: "And after eight days His disciples were again inside...Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!'" (John 20:26). After His resurrection Jesus was able to pass through solid barriers—such as the walls of a building or the stone enclosure of His tomb.
Like Jesus, when we are changed to spirit we will not be limited by the laws that govern physical things. With the ability to simply materialize as Jesus did, we will not be subject to restrictions on physical objects. As part of this change we will no longer need to eat to survive, but apparently will have the option of eating for pleasure and fellowship if we choose. In two of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances He shared a meal with His disciples (Luke 24:28-30; John 21:9-15).
Those to whom God gives eternal life in the resurrection will forever possess these supernatural characteristics. Notice the description of the resurrection in the book of Daniel: "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:2-3, NIV).
What will we do as spirit beings?
As spirit beings in God's family, we will live and work at the highest possible level and environment. Jesus said, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3). We will spend eternity with God in His environment—the world of spirit and unimaginable power. We will not sit idle in our new life. We will be positively occupied. Jesus said, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working" (John 5:17).
When Christ returns to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, those in the first resurrection will serve as judges (Revelation 20:4) and priests (verse 6) and will "reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10). We will not go to heaven to live passively and idly.
Jesus will return to a world that has largely destroyed itself by living in opposition to the commands of its Creator. He will teach people to obey God's laws. He will begin a massive reeducation process to help people un learn their old ways of doing things and for the first time learn to do things God's way.
Notice Isaiah's prophecy of this future rule of Jesus as Messiah and King over the earth, wherein "mountains" and "hills" are symbolic of larger and smaller kingdoms or political states respectively: "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, 'Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
"He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:2-4).
At that time Christ will teach all people who have not known God's way. He will be assisted in this by all who are changed into glorified children of God in the resurrection at His return (see Luke 20:36).
If we enter that new life we will be endowed with great power and unlimited energy. As immortal members of God's family we will be like "the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, [who] neither faints nor is weary" (Isaiah 40:28).
A change for the better
Describing the event that will change our mortal bodies, Paul writes: "The sun has a splendour of its own, the moon another splendour, and the stars yet another; and one star differs from another in brightness. So it is with the resurrection of the dead: what is sown as a perishable thing is raised imperishable. Sown in humiliation, it is raised in glory; sown in weakness, it is raised in power; sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:41-44, REB).
God will give us bodies that will never tire nor grow ill—and minds having the kind of supernatural abilities He has. Reigning with Christ (Revelation 2:26; 3:21), we will help bring about worldwide peace. We will assist in spreading the knowledge of God to the most distant lands in His globe-spanning program of reeducation. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain," He tells us, "for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9).
Those changed at Christ's return will include all His faithful followers at His return as well as the dead who were called, had repented and who lived in faithful obedience to God. It will include all of the faithful listed in Hebrews 11, who "died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (verse 13).
Those who died in faith include Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (verses 17-21). The promise they have not yet received is the promise of the Kingdom of God. As Jesus says, "I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 8:11). Remember that the Kingdom of Heaven is synonymous with the Kingdom of God, which Christ will establish on earth at His return.
Responding to God's invitation
You can be among those who arise from all parts of the world in the resurrection to be with Christ in His Kingdom— if you respond to God's invitation. God is issuing that call through the preaching of the gospel. This very booklet you are reading is part of that effort.
The calling of God is not offered to everyone in this age. Jesus told His disciples that the understanding of God's truth is not yet available to many: "It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given" (Matthew 13:11).
The Bible speaks in several places about God's "elect" or chosen people. They are called to understand these things now, in this present age, but the rest—the vast majority—will not be called until later.
Most of the people of Israel, God's nation spoken of extensively in the Old Testament, were not called to understand the Kingdom of God during their lifetimes. Their hearts were hardened, their minds blinded. But the opportunity for most of them will come in the second resurrection. "Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded" (Romans 11:7).
Yet as Paul explains in this same chapter, the time is coming when "all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob [i.e., Israel]'" (verse 26). God's calling is carried out according to His timetable. When all is said and done, His plan is entirely fair to everyone.
Peter explains that those who now become a part of His Church are chosen in this age to receive salvation in the first resurrection. Peter says of them, "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
The good news is that God eventually will offer eternal life to everyone who repents. He desires that everyone enter His Kingdom. He wants to share this opportunity for eternal life with all (2 Peter 3:9).
In a final, breathtaking view of what God has in store for those who serve Him, the apostle John was inspired to write this glimpse of the future in Revelation, the last book of the Bible: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away...He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son" (Revelation 21:4, 7).
The future God has planned for us is fantastic beyond belief! It is far superior to the fanciful heaven of men's imagination. God will share the real future with all who repent and turn from their sins. As for those who willfully refuse to repent, they will not suffer forever in hell. They will simply cease to be. But this need not happen to you.
You may share in the eternal Kingdom of God if you heed the words Jesus spoke when He began His ministry: "The time has come...The kingdom of God is near . Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15, NIV).
Take comfort in the truth of God. There is no need to fear death if you turn your life toward Him. After all, He wants you to live with Him in abundant joy forever and ever. And He'll make that happen—if you let Him!
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