What Will Heaven Be Like?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIUc4Kng1SQ&feature=relmfu

Many people ask the question what will heaven be like? 

Luckily the Bible does give us a small glimpse of what it will be like in the last few chapters in Revelation.

Rev. 20:

 ^"I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.
And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

This passage seems to suggest that plenty of Christians will be there in the tribulation, does it not?  I don't know how we overlook this is the modern church.  The belief that the rapture was before the tribulation only entered Christian theology within the last 200 years.  Before that it was accepted that we would not be ruptured before the tribulation, but after or in the middle.

It is also interesting to think about what the mark of the beast will be.  They are putting micro chips in any animal in shelters now.  You may not know if your dog or cat has a micro chip in them lol :)  I was surprised to find out my cat did. 

It's only a matter of time before they start doing this to people, and that could be what the "mark of the beast" will be.  It would be very hard for people to not get this as Rev. says you will not be able to buy or sell without it.  But the rewards is ruling with Christ for one thousand years! So obviously it would be worth it :) 

Rev. 21:

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Praise God! 

"I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. ²⁵ On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. ²⁶ The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it."

What is interesting is the reference to "the kings of the earth" in this passage, because right before this was the great white throne where God separated the "sheep" from the "goats."  The "goats" are said to be sent to the "lake of fire," but then who then are these kings of the earth?  Are they Christians there just do not live in the city of God, the new Jerusalem?  It is unclear. 

Rev. 22

Eden Restored

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

 

Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Amen! 

And thus things in the end will be as they were at the beginning in Eden, perfect, holy and good. 

In regards to the video N.T. Wright says we will be rulers in the new kingdom.  However, the only reference to people ruling is those who were beheaded in the tribulation.  Eternity in heaven looks like we will be serving God.

What that looks like we do not know exactly.  My mom has a theory that whatever job we have done on this earth or whatever we excel in will be our job in heaven.  I have always worked with kids and love working with kids so perhaps I will be working with them in heaven.  I bet the amusement parks in heaven will be 100 times better then Disneyland and Wild Rivers like we have been to here. :) 

My personal dream is that we can fly in heaven.  I have always wanted to fly.  lol As long as I can fly I will be good.  And I would perhaps like to have a horse, a white horse. 

I think whatever heaven is like, all our wildest wishes will come true.

The only movie I have seen that really depicts what heaven might be like is "What Dreams May Come" with Robin Williams.  That movie is phenomenal!  Also the depiction of Hell in the movie is pretty similar to what is described in Dante's book "Inferno."  I actually have read that book twice and it it pretty intense.  I recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their fear of the Lord, lol.  It is very interesting and enlightening. 

And I recommend you see "What Dreams May Come."  Aside from him rescuing his wife who committed suicide from hell and the incarnation part at the end, it is pretty accurate of my picture of the two sides of the after life. 

I will conclude with the beautiful verse, "No eye has seen and no ear has heard what God has prepared for those who love him!" 

Amen!