Heaven
The Christian life is described many ways. It is a joy, pleasure,
abundant life, rejoicing always. It is also a race to be won, battle
that must be fought. There are times of joy when we feel close to God
and it is easy, but what do we do when we tire of the race, want to sit
and rest before the finish line or become weary of the battle that Satan
puts in our way? We must keep our hope because our hope gives us
patience to endure when times are hard. Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the
eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the
hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance
in the saints. Heb. 11 is the chapter of faith, but it is also the
chapter of hope - 11:1, 6 Heb. 11:10-16 When we know this, it helps us
live as we should. Heb 12:1-3  Therefore... Look to Jesus      How was
he able to accomplish the work given to Him? He looked for the joy set
before Him. We need to keep joy set before us in mind, remind ourselves
where we are headed. Col. 3:1-2       If we don't think on heaven we
won't be seeking heaven.  Those not spending time with Word are
not wanting to go very much, they are too involved with world. Phlp.
3:20 "Our citizenship is in heaven" This must be where our goals and
hope lie, keep this as our dream, live the best we can with everything
we do wherever in life we are, (school, work, retired), being used to
obtain this goal.     1 Peter 2:22   Beloved, I urge you as aliens and
strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the
soul.
The Hope of  Heaven Keeps Us Going As We Grow Older Paul writes
of his troubles in 2 Cor 4:8-12, yet, he has hope of the resurrection -
4:14 Therefore - 4:16-18,  5:1-8 2 Cor 11:23-28 yet, "our momentary
light affliction".  How does he know? 12:1-4 Luke 6:20-23 Heaven is so
great that we are to rejoice in persecution because of our reward in
heaven Luke 10:20

        We Are Not to Rejoice Because of Miracles, but name written in
heaven. It is the Father's good pleasure to give heaven to you Luke
12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly
to give you the kingdom. Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those
on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
2 Corinthians 5:5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God,
who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 And it was
for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory
of our Lord Jesus Christ. God rejoices when What is lost is found Luke
15:6-7 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his
neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep
which was lost!' I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy
in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous
persons who need no repentance.

What Will Heaven Be Like?
 1. We will keep our identity (Hindus and
other religions teach that in Nirvana we blend into a universal oneness
and loose our personal identity.) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob will be
recognized. Matthew 8:11-12 And I say to you, that many shall come from
east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, and Isaac, and
Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom shall be
cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. Matt 17:3 Moses and Elijah are still
themselves. Matthew 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the
living.
2.We will receive a Spiritual Body - 1 Cor. 15:35-44  Phlp.
3:20-21 How? 1 John 3:2  Psalms 17:15  As for me, I will behold thy face
in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy
likeness.
a. Christ prayed that we could be with Him and see him in his
glory John 17:24
b. God dwells in light unapproachable - 1 Tim.
6:14-16
c. God is the light of heaven - Rev 21:10-11, 23, 2:5
d. Christ shares in the light - Rev 21:23, John 17:5, s24
e. No man can see God and live - Exodus 33:20 We get a
brief glimpse at Mount of Transfiguration. Matthew 17:2...
His face shone like the sun, and His
garments became as white as light. Mark 9:3 His garments became
radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Luke 9:29...the appearance of His face became different, and His
clothing became white and gleaming.

 The Promise to the Righteous Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous
shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Being in
presence of God made Moses' face glow so that Israelites were scared
when they saw him. This was in physical body. Imagine what it will be
like in the spiritual body in presence of God for eternity.

 3.We Will Be with The Lord in Perfect Fellowship
 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we
which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the
Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to
be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Philippians
1:23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart
and be with Christ, which is far better.
 4. Heaven is a Place of Rest - Heb. 3:11, 18, 4:1-9
 Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from
heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord
from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their
labors; and their works do follow them. Jews wandered 40 years in
Wilderness. They looked forward to the time they would have a settled
home where they could rest. We are wandering now. Strangers and
Pilgrims. We must not make this place home. Revelation 21-22 Many
symbols describe the greatness and beauty of the church, but the
complete, perfect fulfillment will not come to God's people until after
the judgment.
a. The Tabernacle - Rev 21:1-8 Tabernacle was God's
meeting place with His people in the O.T. There will be no more sea, no
more separation (4:6).  We will be able to come before God. God will
wipe away all tears. Christians now suffer, mourn, have tears, but our
Father will remove all the problems when we get home. No sinner will be
there. Instead, there will be perfect loving fellowship for all
present.
b. A City - Rev 21:9-27 Rev 21:19-20 - Walls in ancient
cities were for protection. This is a symbol of perfect protection,
nothing can harm Gates of pearl 21:21 2 Peter 1:11 For so an entrance
shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pearls are made from suffering of
oyster. Our entrance made by suffering of Christ and our own enurance
under trials. The city of Heaven is described as a perfect city,
offering for God's people and abundant entrance, perfect beauty, perfect
protection, and perfect holiness.
A Garden - Rev. 22:1-5 The word "garden" not used but
the description is used. Revelation 2:7...To him
that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the
midst of the paradise of God. "Paradeisos" was used of royal parks of
Persia. Christ uses it for the reward of the righteous. Rev 22:2 Man
lost the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. Now He receives it again in
even a greater way. Through this, we can see the working of God in
bringing redemption to man. God made everything perfect for man,
provided everything he needed. What did man do?  Rebel! Now man deserves
destruction, death. What did God do? Died in man's place so that man
could receive more than what he had even in the beginning. Ephesians
3:14-19 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom
every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would
grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with
power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in
love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth
and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which
surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of
God. Romans 8:18-25 This is what gets us through this life, being able
to look ahead, many problems, world is wicked, doomed for destruction.
We need to be as Jesus, for the joy that was set before him, endured the
cross, Life not meant to be just fun and games, it is very
serious. John 17:13 -Christ prayed that we might have his joy fulfilled
in us. How? not from looking at the world, this not home, this is place
of journey One morning in Civil War, North and South armies camped on
opposite sides of Rappahonnack River. North band played their national
song and all North army cheered. South band played Dixie and they
cheered. After a little time, one band started playing "Home Sweet Home
" and then the other band picked up the tune. At the end both sides
joined each other cheering with tears. Common bond, wanting to be at
home.
 We All Must Be Striving To Get Home 1 John 3:3 And everyone who
has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. We are
first purified by baptism - Eph. 5:25 We remain pure by walking in the
Spirit, and cleansed by the blood of Christ
Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.nethttp://users.twave.net/ncc
Hope of Heaven

After teaching about Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah: Hebrews
11:13-16 These all 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 pil grims on the earth. For those
who say such things declare plainly that they seek a home land. And
truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come
out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a
better, that is, a heav enly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be
called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Heaven causes us to think about many different things. Dwelling in the
presence of God. Mansions, city of gold. In the presence of the faithful
of all time. Drink of the river of life, eat of the tree of life, No
toil, labor, pain, sorrow. Song: "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be." The
greatest message of the Bible is that we, in spite of our failures and
rebellion, can be forgiven and be redeemed from this corrupt world and
live forever.

This is not just some fantasy we dream of but a real hope that provides
        an anchor for our souls. a.      This hope motivated Abraham to
        leave his home and family, because he looked for a city, whose
        builder and maker is God. b.      It enabled Moses to suffer
        many hardships, because he looked for the reward. c.      This
        hope motivates us to be able to imitate Christ and run with
        patience the race set before us and endure the hardships along
        the way, because we, like him, look for the joy set before us.
        Heaven is a place the Bible speaks clearly about Hebrews
        13:12-14 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people
        with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us
        go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For
        here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. a.
        This is strong motivation for obedience. b.      It gives
        purpose to life. Many wonder why they are here and what the
        purpose of life is all about, and if this life is worth living.
        The knowledge of heaven gives us the an swers. c.      The hope
        of heaven gives us hope and comfort for us as we grow older and
        realize that we will never be young again. What is your concept
        of Heaven? What is your motivation to go? If we asked everyone,
        we would probably get many different answers. We need to be
        careful about our motivations and make sure we keep our attitude
        right.

a. Sometimes people may think that heaven is really just better than
        hell. It is the best of two alternatives. I don't want to go to
        hell, so therefore the only alter native is heaven so
        I will do whatever it takes to go there. I will the minimum it
        takes to just get my foot in the door. Not necessarily
        concerned about commit ment and love for God, but between
        the two alternatives, heaven is a lot better place to end up
        than hell. The problem with this way of thinking is that we are
        not playing to win but playing to not to loose. We
        cannot win this way. We don't live to stay out of hell but to
        enter the reward. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that
        those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run
        in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone
        who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now
        they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an
        imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus:  not
        with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27
        But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,
        lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become
        disqualified.

b. We may think that heaven is a place where we will be served. We will
        lay around being served by the angels who will do everything for
        us and take care of all of our desires. There is a
        danger in this. People who have this attitude concerning heaven
        can easily have this same view con cerning their
        place in the church, i.e., they are in the church to be served,
        and heaven will be a greater place where we will be
        served in even a greater manner.

c. We can have very materialistic view toward heaven. When some read
        the figurative descriptions of the streets of gold and precious
        stones, they and start thinking that heaven is where we go so
        that every materialistic desire we ever had    will be satisfied
        by God. We even sing about mansions: "But in that city where the
        ransom will shine, I want gold one that's silver lined."

        We need to be careful that this does not become our main
interest and desire. We could end up   being like a woman getting
married, not because she loves her husband but because he is rich
and she will get a new house and car. If this is our attitude, we, as
the bride of Christ, want to be married, not because we
love Him but because of the incredible riches He has to offer. Rev. 4 -
Introduction of Jesus and Letters to the seven churches is complete
Revelation 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing
open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet
speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things
which must take place after this."

The church was going through some difficult times. God was going to
reveal the future to them so they could be motivated to live faithful to
the end. We, too, need to be able to see what is coming. We must
understand what the future has in store for us so we can be motivated to
live as strangers and pilgrims on earth.

When we come up to heaven we can see that the situation in heaven and on
earth are opposite. On earth there is chaos. Often blatant, obvious
trouble. There was great trouble in John's time and it was going to soon
get much worse. In America, violent crime makes many areas unsafe. Many
things are not fair. The wicked are praised and protected and those
trying to do right are ridiculed.

The first thing that John sees when he comes up is that God Almighty is
on His Throne. He has not lost control nor is He helpless concerning the
events on earth. The first thing John needed to see concerning the
future struggle the church was about to endure was God on His Throne. As
we face life and all its problems, we need to understand that God is
still in control.

When we study heaven, the first thing we need to see is God. Before John
was shown the future, he was first shown God. As we look into the
future, to a time after the struggles we find ourselves in, we too are
shown God. The essence of heaven is not streets of gold and gates of
pearl. The essence of heaven is that is where God is. We will be in the
presence of God's love is, where His righteousness is, where His peace
is. Heaven is where we can have perfect fellowship with Almighty God. a.
21:2 The city is from God b.      21:3 God will dwell with His people.
c.      21:7 "I will be his God and he will be My son" d.      21:10 The
city is from God. e.      21:11 The city does not have its own glory,
but God's. f.      21:22 God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple g.
21:23 God Almighty and the Lamb are the light. h.      22:1 The river of
the water of life comes from the throne of God and of the Lamb. i.
22:3 The throne of God and the Lamb will be there. j.      22:4 We shall
see His face. k.      22:5 The Lord God shall illumine them.

When Paul wrote Philippians he was facing a very real threat of death.
Philippians 1:21-23 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet
what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the
two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

He was not thinking of the streets of gold or walls of jasper. He was
thinking about being with God. This is heaven. On earth there is chaos.
Come up, and there is God on His Throne. On earth there is uncertainty.
Jobs, economy, health. We do not know what the future may hold. In
Heaven, God is in control. Our Desire On Earth Must Be to See God Exodus
33:18 Then Moses said, "I pray Thee, show me Thy glory!" Psalm 63:1 ...O
God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly; My soul thirsts for
Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee, In a dry and weary land where there is
no water. Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides
Thee, I desire nothing on earth.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but
God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 84:2 My
soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my
flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 143:6 I stretch out my hands
to Thee; My soul longs for Thee, as a parched land. Isaiah 26:8-9
Indeed, while following the way of Thy judgments, O Lord, we have waited
for Thee eagerly; Thy name, even Thy memory, is the desire of our souls.
At night my soul longs for Thee, indeed, my spirit within me seeks Thee
diligently... Philippians 1:23-24 But I am hard-pressed from both
directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is
very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for
your sake. Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing
salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly
desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great
God and Savior, Christ Jesus. Those Who Desire To See God On Earth, Will
Have Their Desire Fulfilled In Heaven Job 19:25-27 And as for me, I know
that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the
earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see
God; Whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes shall see and not
another. My heart faints within me. Psalm 11:7 For the Lord is
righteous; He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.
Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall
be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. Isaiah 33:17 Your eyes will
see the King in His beauty; they will see the land that is very far off.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Philippians 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also
eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform
our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according
to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet
been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we
shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has
this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Revelation 22:4
and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
This is our hope - Hebrews 6:9-20 With all the problems in life, we need
to have hope, know this is not all there is. We have an anchor for the
storms of life.

Eph. 1:15-18 - Paul's prayed that his brethren could know: a.      Hope
        of his calling b.      Riches of His inheritance Heaven is our
        true treasure, and savings account Matthew 6:19-20 Do not lay up
        for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy
        and where thieves break in and steal; lay up for yourselves
        treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and
        where thieves do not break in and steal.

2 Peter 1:9-11 ...if these things are yours and abound, ...an entrance
will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our
Lord and Savior 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

If you are going to live with God in eternity, you must live with Him
and for Him now in this time that we now have. There is no other way.

That is why we need to be striving to be obedient today. How can you
know about heaven, and not be right with your Father? Dying becomes not
a time to be dreaded, but the purpose of our living. To come to the
point where we lay aside this body but not to be not clothed, but to be
clothed.




Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc
Heaven - Part 3

We have had two lessons on Heaven. Although there is much that we don't
know, there are many descriptions that let us know that it is a place we
will totally enjoy, and everything will be perfect. Just the word
"heaven" indicates something that is pleasurable and desirable. People
talk about "heaven on earth", certain recipes are called "heavenly"
(although none of them are good for you). One of the greatest messages
of the Bible is that we will be in the presence of God in heaven. Our
greatest desire of heaven should not be the streets of gold and gates of
pearl or any of the other figures used to describe heaven, but "to be
with Christ". Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall
see God.

This lesson will cover more descriptions of heaven. Many of them are in
general terms and leave a lot of details out, but we can better
appreciate Paul's words: 2 Corinthians 4:17 For momentary, light
affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all
comparison.

1. Heaven is a place joy and pleasures Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the Lord
continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be
shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh
also will dwell se curely. For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol;
neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay. Thou wilt make
known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy
right hand there are pleasures forever.

This is quoted by Peter on Pentecost to help prove Jesus raised from the
dead. Acts 2:25-28 For David says of Him, 'I was always beholding the
Lord in my presence; For He is at my right hand, that I may not be
shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my
flesh also will abide in hope; Because Thou wilt not abandon my soul to
Hades, Nor allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay. Thou hast made known to
me the ways of life; Thou wilt make me full of gladness with Thy
presence.'

When the NT writers quote from OT passages, they usually quote up to the
main point and stop. Hebrews 8:7-12 For if that first covenant had been
faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. 8 For
finding fault with them, He says, "Behold, days are coming, says the
Lord, when I will effect a new covenant with the house of Israel and
with the house of Judah; 9 Not like the covenant which I made with their
fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the
land of Egypt; for they did not continue in My covenant, and I did not
care for them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will
make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord : I will
put My laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts.
And I will be their God , and they shall be My people . 11 And they
shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother,
saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least to the
greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I
will remember their sins no more."

The writer stopped here because the forgiveness of sins is the greatest
part of the new covenant. When Peter wanted to give Scriptural evidence
that Jesus had raised from the dead, he quoted Psalm 16 up to "Thou wilt
make me full of gladness with Thy Presence." The main point is the truth
of the resurrection. Something else is being taught too - the gladness
and blessedness of being in the presence of God. Being filled with
gladness and joy in the presence of God is offered to all of us. John
17:24 (17:26) Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me,
be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which
Thou hast given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the
world. Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to
make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to
the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory,
majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.
Amen. 2.We Will Be Praised By God in Heaven. The desire of honor is
natural within mankind. God created us this way just as He cre ated us
with all of our desires and emotions. The Bible is not teaching us to
destroy our desires and become Buddhist monks who try to eliminate all
feelings and emotions, but to get them in control and used them in the
proper way. As with all of our God given desires, they can be misused.
Desire for honor and praise is one that is abused in many harmful ways.
Heaven will provide the greatest legitimate fulfillment of that desire
possible. 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment
before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to
light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of
men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

a. We Should Seek The Proper Praise John 5:44 How can you believe, when
you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that
is from the one and only God? Romans 2:5-8 who [God] will render to
every man according to his deeds: to those who by persever ance in doing
good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to
those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey
unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.

We commonly talk about seeking the immortality and eternal life, what
about seeking the glory and honor? Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew who is
one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the
Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little
while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that
the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is
perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise
and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 5:4 And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of
glory.

b. Our Desire For Glory Must Be Properly Channeled! John 12:42-43
Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the
Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of
the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men rather than the praise
of God. 2 Corinthians 10:18 For not he who commends himself is approved,
but whom the Lord commends. 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore,
under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.

c. We Receive Glory Because Of God's Grace, God Receives Glory Because
He Is Worthy Revelation 4:11 Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to
receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and
because of Thy will they existed, and were created." Revelation 5:12
...Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and
wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 3.We Shall Reign With
Christ In Heaven 2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we shall also reign with
Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

How will we reign with Him? Over who or what shall we reign? This
passage does not say, it just states it as a fact. Even after reading
the rest of the Bible, the answer is not completely clear, but there are
hints and clues to let us know that our reigning in heaven with Christ
will be totally different from our life on earth. Mankind was created
over God's Creation on earth (Genesis 1:26) . In our redemption, there
are indications that we are exalted to rule in even a greater degree.

a. The Two Servants - Matt. 24:45-51 Jesus compares two servants, one
good and the other is bad. One servant is given a position of
responsibility while the master is gone. When the master returns, he
finds the servant busy being faithful in his duties. Matthew 24:47 Truly
I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

What possessions? We are not told. We just know that whatever the Master
has, the faithful servant will be put in charge of them.

Some claim this only refers to events in time because of the earlier
prophecies in Matt. 24 The other servant sees the master is gone for a
long time and became careless and wicked. When the master returns, the
unfaithful servant is cast into the place where there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. This phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is
used to describe the outer darkness (Matt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30) and
furnace of fire (Matt. 13:42, 50). This only comes after the final
judgment, not in this life.

b. The Parable of the Talents - Matt. 25:14-30 This has a similar
message, the need of being faithful with our duties. The one who was
given five talents made five more. Matthew 25:21 His master said to him,
'Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few
things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of
your master.'

To the servant who earned two more talents: Matthew 25:23 His master
said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with
a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the
joy of your master.

What things will they be put in charge over? Jesus did not go into any
detail. He just says it will happen. The unprofitable slave will be cast
into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth. Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right,
'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world.

In both Matt. 24 and 25, the rejected one was a servant just as much as
the one rewarded, but he did not remain faithful and work.

c. The Parable of the Faithful Steward - Luke 12:35-48 In Luke 12:35-40,
Jesus tells a parable to teach the need of being faithful at all times.
The promise to the faithful: Luke 12:37 Blessed are those slaves whom
the master shall find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you,
that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table,
and will come up and wait on them.

In 12:41, Peter asks a question. Jesus does not give a direct answer,
but tells another parable. The promise to the faithful: Luke 12:44 Truly
I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

What possessions? Jesus does not say.

d. The Parable of the Unjust Servant - Luke 16:1-13 The parable was told
to teach the wisdom of planning ahead, not to promote corrupt business
practices. The application: Luke 16:10-12 He who is faithful in a very
little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a
very little thing is unrighteous also in much. If therefore you have not
been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the
true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that
which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

The contrast is unrighteous mammon and true riches. That which belongs
to another and that which belongs to us. No matter what we may
accumulate, it is still unrighteous mammon compared to the true riches
of heaven. Whatever we have in this life, it still belongs to God. We
are only stewards of what God has created. What true riches will we
have? What will be given to us that will be our own? No detail is given.

e. Parable of the Pounds (Minas) - Luke 19:11-27 Luke 19:17 And he said
to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very
little thing, be in authority over ten cities.' Luke 19:19 And he said
to him also, 'And you are to be over five cities.'

What cities is Jesus talking about? Who is going to be living in those
cities?  In what way will they rule? Jesus does not go into detail.

All These Passages Are Small Hints To Understanding The Promise: 2
Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.

We Are Now Members Of The Royal Priesthood 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a
chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own
possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Not only are we priests, we are also royalty. We are part of the ruling
class. Not because we are so great in ourselves, but because of or
relationship with God. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, then, I urge that
entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf
of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may
lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is
good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

The Promise To Those Who Overcome In Thyatira: Revelation 2:26-27 And he
who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will
give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of
iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have
received authority from My Father.

The promise is for those who overcome in time. The nations will be gone
after the judgment. Because of our relationship with the Father, we rule
now. It is just a sampling of the reign that will be just as we know
only have the earnest of the Spirit, it is a down-payment of the full
relationship with God we will later enjoy. Revelation 3:21 He who
overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I
also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 21:7
He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and
he will be My son.

Heaven 1. We will have a spiritual body, 1Cor. 15, Matt 134. Have
praise, honor, and glory 2. New Jerusalem - Rev 21-225. Reign with
Christ 3. Be with God - Philip 1





Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc