Homecoming - Part 2 [Notes]

Many learned the children’s song “Heaven is a Wonderful Place” in Sunday school. The song begins, “Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I want to see my Father’s face. Yes! Heaven is a wonderful place.”  Although the song is simple, it captures a remarkable truth. The most wonderful aspect of heaven will be seeing the face of the One who loves us so much. But this is only the beginning...

Today's Takeaway // Look to heaven to learn about heaven.

“The more I know, the more I realize I know nothing.” – Socrates

If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it.^{k 1}
– 1 Corinthians 8:2 (HCSB)
_{^k 8:2 1Co 3:18; 13:8–12; 1Tm 6:4
¹ The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (1 Co 8:2). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.}

1. Where is heaven?

No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the •Son of Man.
– John 3:13 (HCSB)
_{^• Most frequent title Jesus used for Himself (Dn 7:13; Mt 8:20)}

“Don't cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father—to My God and your God.”
– John 20:17 (HCSB)

After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.
– Acts 1:9 (HCSB)

2. What is heaven like?

After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door...
– Revelation 4:1a (HCSB)

...you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering...
– Hebrews 12:22b (HCSB)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.
– Revelation 21:1-4 (HCSB)

"For I will create a new heaven and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind."²
– Isaiah 65:17 (HCSB)
_{² The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Is 65:17). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.}

3. Will we recognize people in heaven?

Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here! If You want, I will make three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
– Matthew 17:3-4 (HCSB)

For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy!
– 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (HCSB)

4. Do babies (and those unable to understand the gospel message) go to heaven when they die?

He answered, “While the baby was alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let him live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I’ll go to him, but he will never return to me.”
– 2 Samuel 12:22-23 (HCSB)

"I assure you,” He said, "unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
– Matthew 18:3 (HCSB)

5. Will we be married in heaven?

"In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had married her." Jesus answered them, "You are deceived, because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven."
– Matthew 22:28-30 (HCSB)

6. Do people become angels when they die?

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, ^y and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”
– Genesis 1:26 (HCSB)
_{^y 1:26 Syr reads sky, and over every animal of the land}

Don’t you know that we will judge angels—not to mention ordinary matters?
–1 Corinthians 6:3 (HCSB)

7. Will we be bored in heaven?

"Nearly every Christian I have spoken with has some idea that eternity is an unending church service. After all, the Bible says that the saints "worship God in heaven," and without giving it much more thought we have settled on an image of the never-ending one great hymn after another, sing-along in the sky, forever and ever, amen. And our heart sinks. Forever and ever? That’s it? That’s the good news? And then we sigh and feel guilty that we are not more 'spiritual.'"
– John Eldridge

You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.
– Revelation 5:9b-10 (HCSB)

8. Will pets be in heaven?

9. What will our new bodies be like?

But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have when they come?” ...Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power; sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body... For this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality.
–1 Corinthians 15:35, 42b-44, 53 (HCSB)

10. How can we make sure we end up in heaven?

1. What are some misunderstandings people have about heaven? Where do you think people get these misunderstandings?
2. Why is it important we get our theology about heaven and hell from the Bible instead of our culture?
3. Read Revelation 21:1-4 and Revelation 22:1-5.How do these verses make you feel? Based on these verses, what are some of the things that will be true concerning us and our future destiny?
4. What do you think we will do throughout eternity? How should we live in light of the reality of heaven?
5. How might you apply today's lesson to your life?

Egypt / King of My Heart / Hymn of Heaven / Tin Roof

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