Bible Study Seattle

Saint Peter stood at the pearly gates and asked why she should be let in…

This is the popular conception of Christianity. It is about believing in Jesus and floating away to the dreamy land of immortal people in white clothes floating around playing their harps for eternity.

But…. this is mostly wrong. It may involve people in white clothes and they might be able to float or fly but remember… “on earth as it is in heaven”. Heaven and earth are intimately linked. Heaven will eventually come down to merge with earth. And heaven isn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Satan is a frequent visitor: “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.” Job 1:6 Contrary to the perfect peace people assume in heaven, there has been war: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.” Revelation 12:7

Heaven is a higher plane of existence than earth but it is like parent and child. Those people God deems worthy to go to heaven will. And they will not only minister in heaven but on earth as well. It is not like there will be some infinite chasm between heaven and earth. Even Jacob had this dream:

“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.  There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.” Genesis 28:13-14

When we reach the next life we will commune with our family even if we are in heaven and they on earth. This is why Jesus appeared to the disciples for 40 days after he rose from the grave. He may have able to walk through walls, but he still appeared in his human body as they had known his. He said to Thomas:

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:27

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