#9

                                                               HEAVEN

   (Genesis 1:1) “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”. The word heaven in the Hebrew is plural. There are three heavens mentioned in the Bible and God created all of them.

(1) First heaven- Home of the birds, air, and clouds- (Daniel 4:12; Mathew 6:26).

(2) Second heaven- Home of the sun, moon, stars, and galaxies- (Psalms 19:1).

(3) Third heaven- Home of God, the angels, and the departed saints (believers of God)-

(II Corinthians 12:2).

   We will discuss heaven for the believer from the initial time of when we will actually see heaven for the first time and what and when the major events will be once we arrive there.

                                    I. THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

                          (I Corinthians 15:51-53; I Thessalonians 4:15-17).

   Since we have already studied this particular doctrine in last week’s study (#8), we will not go into detail as to what, how, and when this major event takes place. However, it is important to note that this is the next prophetic event to take place in earth’s history, and the first event to take place that will take the existing Church and all the bodies of deceased believers into heaven.

   Once the Rapture takes place, we will be transported to the place (John 14:2) that Jesus has been preparing for us. That particular place is called (Revelation 21:9-10) The City of New Jerusalem where The Bride is made ready (Revelation 19:7, 8) for the Great Marriage of the Lamb.

                                      II. THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

                     (Romans 14:10-12; I Corinthians 3:13; II Corinthians 5:10).

   The Christian life is a race, and the divine Umpire is watching each of us as to how well we run our individual race. After the church has “run her course”, He will gather every member before His judgment seat for the purpose of examining each one of us and give us our proper reward.

A. The Purpose of the Judgment Seat-

   (I Corinthians 4:2; I Peter 4:10)- Paul and Peter tell us that all Christians are to conduct themselves as good stewards.

  1. (I Corinthians 3:10-13)- Here Paul explains that when we are saved, we are placed on the ‘foundation’ of Jesus death, burial and resurrection, from then on we are to build onto that foundation “works” during our life time that will eventually be tested at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

   Although it is not directly listed for us to determine what exactly is “gold, silver, and precious stones, wood, hay or stubble”, we can come to some pretty good conclusions by searching the Scriptures in order to determine what God is particularly interested in.

  2. (Hebrews 6:10; Mathew 10:41, 42) – How we treat other believers.

  3. (II Timothy 1:6; I Peter 4:10) – How we use our God given abilities.

  4. (I Timothy 6:17-19; II Corinthians 9:6, 7; I Corinthians 16:2) – How we use our money.

  5. (I Corinthians 9:25-27) – How we control the old sin nature within each of us.

  6. (I Thessalonians 2:19, 20) – How many souls did we witness to and win for Christ.

B. The Results of the Judgment Seat of Christ-

  1. (I Corinthians 3:14) Some will receive rewards.

  2. (I Corinthians 9:25 The incorruptible crown- given to those who master the old nature.

  3. (I Thessalonians 2: 19, 20)  The crown of rejoicing- Given to soul winners.

  4. (James 1:2, 3; Revelation 2:10) The crown of life- Given to those who successfully endure temptation.

  5. (II Timothy 4:8) The crown of righteousness- Given to those who love the doctrine of the rapture.

  6. (II Timothy 4:1, 2) The crown of glory- Given to faithful preachers and teachers.

                                       III. The MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB

   Several passages in the Bible teach us that the most fantastic and wonderful wedding of all time has yet to take place.

A. (Mathew 22:2; Mathew 25:1; Luke 12:35, 36) The marriage described by Jesus parables.

B. (Revelation 19:7) The marriage described by John.

C. (Luke 14:16-23) The host of the marriage.

D. (Mathew 3:17; 17:5, Luke 5:32-35) The Bridegroom of the marriage.

E. (Ephesians 5:22-32; II Corinthians 11:2) The Bride of the marriage.

F. (Revelation 19:7, 8; 21:9, 10) The place of the marriage.

G. The Time of the Wedding- In light of all the Scriptures that reference the Bride and the Bridegroom (Lamb), it would seem that the wedding ceremony will be conducted privately in heaven, during earths tribulation period, and probably in the great city of New Jerusalem shortly after the Judgment Seat of Christ takes place. The celebration stage, or (honeymoon), for Jewish weddings was always determined by the wealth of the Father. Therefore, when His Son, the Lord Jesus is married, the Father of all grace will rise to the occasion by giving His Son and Bride a celebration that will last one thousand years, all during the millennium, or the 1000 year reign of Christ’s Kingdom, where we will rule and reign with Him (Revelation 20:6).

                                       IV. THE MILLENNIUM KINGDOM

                                     (The 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth)

A. (Revelation 20:4) The fact of the millennium.

B. (Psalms 58:11; Mathew 5:12; 25:34) The purpose of the millennium.

C. (Revelation 5:9, 10; 20:6) The Saints reward will be to rule and reign with Christ.

                                   V. A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH

                                                    (Revelation 21:1-5)

   (Revelation 20: 11-15) After the Great White Throne Judgment of the unbelievers, Jesus banishes death, sorrow, and pain (Revelation 21:1-5) and creates a new heaven and a new earth.  The city of New Jerusalem, where Jesus and the Church (The Bride of Christ) will live throughout eternity apparently comes down from heaven and hovers somewhere over the new earth where it will stay (Revelation 21:9-25).

God bless