Heaven: Aren’t we to prefer it over this life here?
Not much is stated in the Bible about Heaven. Hardly anything at all! But a lot is said about a coming Kingdom OF Heaven that will be provided here on a New Earth for the regenerate [born again] people of Israel. You’ll find an article on this website about it. Here’s the link to it—
Millennium: What will be its features?
But, again, there’s very little about Heaven itself in the Bible.
Don’t most people do all they can do to hold on to this life here? Don’t they partly do this because life here is all they know? Can’t we rely on what the Bible does tell us about Heaven and everything else we read in it?
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God [THEOPNEUSTOS = God-breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect [TELEIOS = complete or mature], thoroughly furnished unto all good works. [Emphasis added]
But isn’t it true that most people don’t search the Scriptures to see what it says about Heaven? They just don’t seem to be all that concerned about it. Their focus is instead on temporal matters.
Romans 8:5
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [Emphasis added]
Doesn’t Paul in his writings tell us that dying is GAIN? Doesn’t he also say he preferred dying and going on to Heaven?
Philippians 1:21-24
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Wouldn’t it be advantageous for us to believe this?
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot [know] not.
23 For I am in a strait [SUNECHO = undecided, under a pressure which prevents a definite choice] betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is FARfar better:
Please note that last comment! Here we’re told that Heaven will be FAR better than anything we’ve ever known in this life here.
24 Nevertheless to abide [EPIMENO = remain (a strengthened form of MENO)] in the flesh is more needful for you. [Emphasis added]
In addition to divine revelation, wouldn’t Paul know about all this because he personally got a preview of Heaven?
2 Corinthians 12:1-7
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man [here he’s speaking of himself] in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
In Scripture the first Heaven is the Earth’s atmosphere, what we call space is the second Heaven, and then there’s the third Heaven, what is now said to be every believer’s eternal “home”—Heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise [PARADEISMOS = paradise (In this case the word is used for the third Heaven)], and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [Emphasis added]
Aren’t we told to “follow” Paul in his thinking and his beliefs? Isn’t he said to be our example? Furthermore, if we follow Paul, aren’t we then also following Christ?
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers [MIMEOMAI = mimickers or imitators] of me, even as I also am of Christ. [Emphasis added]
Doesn’t Paul exhort us multiple times to follow him?
1 Corinthians 4:16
16 Wherefore I [Paul] beseech [PARAKALEO = lit. to call alongside, to intreat] you, be ye followers of me. [Emphasis added]
Why was Paul willing to stay here on Earth instead of going on to Heaven?
Philippians 1:23-25
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart [and to go on to Heaven], and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; [Emphasis added]
Will there be any pain or sorrow at all in Heaven? We know from other passages of Scripture that while the immediate context of this next passage applies to regenerate Israel, there are some general principles here that apply to us.
Revelations 21:3-4
3 And I [the apostle John] heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [the eternal home of God the Son] is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Isn’t Jesus God? Aren’t we told that He is God personified [John 1:14]
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. [Emphasis added]
Won’t this be a wonderful time for us as God’s people who chose to utilize the provision He made for our salvation?
John 1:3
3 All things were made by him [a reference to Jesus Christ]; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [Emphasis added]
Colossians 1:14-16
14 In [or By] whom [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him [Jesus Christ] were all things created, that are IN HEAVEN, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [Emphasis added]
The Bible gives us a lot of information about this as it discloses many other wonderful things about Him.
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
It is amazing and sad to know that so many people refuse to believe what’s clearly given about the complete identity of this Jesus of Nazareth. For more information about this, please see my article about it—
Jesus: Who is this man of Nazareth?
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Emphasis added]
But one very important thing we need to realize about this is the need for us to know we’ve fulfilled what God requires for our entrance into Heaven. The ONE other alternative to Heaven is certainly not a desirable one. Because of the extreme importance of all this, I have numerous articles about it on this website—
Hell: Does God pick and choose who’s going there?
Hell: How can a loving God send people there?
Hell: Are there people there for whom Christ died?
Hell: Are there degrees of punishment?
Hell: What does the apostle Paul teach about it?
Heaven and Hell: Are they both forever?
Heaven and Hell: How can a person qualify to go to Heaven?
Making sure you are Heaven-bound is the most important thing you or anyone can be doing with the time God has given you. If you don’t have this matter settled, I certainly hope you will soon. As you can see from the above list, there’s an abundance of articles on this website that can help you with this. It would be for your benefit to read and study them all.
