“The Reward & Inheritance Factor” Pt 4
(The Fatherhood of God Message 18)
X. The Reward and Inheritance Factor
We inherit our Dad’s riches and resources
A. PRESENT AND FUTURE REWARD
God rewards faithful service. Sometimes the reward is now. Sometimes the reward comes later.
With our Heavenly Father, no good deed goes unrewarded.
Recognition, responsibility, riches
B. FUTURE INHERITANCE
Children of God are heirs to all that the Father possesses. This inheritance depends on relationship not works.
C. FUTURE ETERNAL HOME
Every human being enters this word with a longing for a place to call home. Our heavenly Father promises every child a place. We will live eternally in a place specially prepared for us as children and as individuals.
1. The original creation – the original home
2. Present polluted or fallen earth
3. Present Heaven or intermediate heaven
Much of the confusion and fog related to heaven has to do with confusing images. There are some things related to the present Heaven and there are some things related to the future new heavens and new earth and some things common to both. The first thing we need to settle is the difference between the present Heaven and the new heaven and earth. Both old and new Testaments use the word heaven to indicate God’s dwelling place. God does not need a place to live. He existed before creation outside of creation. He chooses to manifest His presence in a particular location called heaven.
There are actually three heaven's referred to in Scripture.
1. There is the heaven in which the birds fly or our atmosphere.
2. There is a heaven of outer space.
3. Then there is the heaven in which God currently manifests His presence.
a) Who lives there?
Of course God is there in all of his glory. The resurrected Christ in His resurrected glorified physical body is there. The Holy Spirit is a permanent resident. Myriads of Angels with various responsibilities inhabit operated out of heaven. Old Testament followers of God as well as those adopted into God’s family through faith in Christ presently reside in this wonderful place.
Heaven is the intermediate dwelling place for all those awaiting the eternal establishment of the new heavens and a new earth. Hebrews 12 draws attention to all of heaven’s inhabitants in one passage. Writing to encourage believers to keep faithful and not loose heart in the midst of hardship and persecution, the writer of Hebrews contrasts the frightening Mount Sinai experience with the present reality of God’s chosen habitation. Hebrews 12:22-24
Someone has very well said: "At three things I shall wonder in heaven: first, that I shall not find many there of whom I was certain; second, that I shall find many there whom I was sure I wouldn't find; but lastly, and most wonderful of all, that I am actually there myself."—Bible Illustrations
b) What is it like?
The present heaven is mostly of a spiritual nature with definite physical elements. Plato taught that all matter is evil, only spirit is good; rejecting all thought of a physical world. His philosophy influenced human thinking for centuries; including Christianity. We somehow think that even though the Bible uses physical imagery that heaven is more an intangible and unfamiliar “spiritual” environment. The present Heaven contains many physical characteristics.
I believe that paradise, the garden of God, presently resides in heaven. The tree of life currently finds its resting place in heaven. The New Jerusalem, God capital city is located in heaven and will come down out of heaven to earth. Jacob got a glimpse of the gateway to the present heaven. Genesis 28:12-13
Was this real or just a dream? Jacob felt the reality of this experience even after he “woke up.”
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."
He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." Genesis 28:16-17 He even named the place “Bethel” meaning “house of God”.
God took the Apostle Paul up to the third heaven although he admitted he didn't know whether it was in the body or in the spirit. Paul’s glimpse of the present heaven was so glorious he was not able describe any detail. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
John described many physical aspects from his visions of the present and ultimate heaven.
He described followers of Christ who were martyred for their faith wearing white robes. They must have had some kind of body in order to wear robes. They have sorrow and indignation as they ask God how long will it be until there blood is avenged. All will have an eternal perspective however which enables them to wait for the ultimate redemption. This also indicates an awareness of time in the present heaven. “How long?” He talked about rest from their labors. (Rev 14:13) Hebrews promises an ultimate Sabbath rest for believers.
Jesus himself, who took on a physical form for eternity, sits on a throne in the present heaven.
When Jesus returned from His father after the resurrection, He still had a body that could be touched and that still bore the scars of the crucifixion.
Stephen got a glimpse into heaven, as he was being stoned. He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
John also described some other gripping characteristics of the physical appearance of Jesus.
There are doors, candle sticks, bowls, creatures, angels, angel armies, horses, crowns, a temple.
In fact, the earthly tabernacle was modeled after the Divinely built temple structure in heaven.
That is why God gave such precise directions to Moses. God talks about this heavenly temple in Hebrews. Perhaps a great deal of what we see on earth is a model of life in heaven and in the New Earth. Houses, lands, cities, streets and buildings, government, culture, society, nations and countries, commerce, trade, arts, music, musical instruments.
There are at least two people who faithfully walked with God that most likely retained their original physical characteristics; Enoch, who has been there since the early days of creation, and Elijah who God transported into heaven via fiery Chariot in the days of the Divided Kingdom period.
God clothes those who die before the resurrection with temporary bodies as they await their glorified resurrected bodies. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5
It seems these temporary bodies have certain recognizable characteristics. Samuel was recognized. Moses and Elijah on the mount with Jesus were recognized and conversed about current and future events. Abraham is recognized in Paradise and seems to have particular leadership responsibilities. Even those in the holding cell for unbelievers awaiting their resurrection to judgment possess some sort of physical characteristics. I.e. The rich man asked for a drop of water on his tongue to quench his parched mouth. Luke 16:23-24
Babies who died early or those who died before birth through miscarriage or abortion will perhaps be given temporary bodies and develop spiritually during their time in heaven. Perhaps they will be given a chance to experience some of the joys of growing up in their resurrected bodies in the New Earth. There is memory of Earth's past events accompanied by God's comfort. There is awareness of Earth's current events. Perhaps there is even intercession by those who have gone before. Perhaps intercessory prayers in the bowl before the throne are the prayers of our family who are in heaven and talking to God concerning us who still live in the present earth. Will such awareness of earth’s present struggles diminish happiness in heaven?
It is not likely. Happiness does not depend on ignorance of troubling events but on eternal perspective. And in heaven, all enjoy God's eternal perspective not only on all the earth's present events but also on all of life’s past events as well as the glories to come.
There is also great rejoicing in heaven at every conversion on earth. Luke 15 actually says there is rejoicing “in the presence of Angels.” Who is doing the rejoicing? Perhaps it is the followers of God who have died. Who better to rejoice than the friends and relatives who have gone before as they observe their family and friends coming to Christ guaranteeing a heavenly reunion? Who better to understand the wonder of salvation but those who have experienced salvation on earth and now the glories of heaven?
Angelic beings usher new arrivals into heaven every day.
There is great worship in heaven. John described some of the worship he observed in the present Heaven, much of which I am sure will continue on the new earth. He saw people from every tribe and language in people and nation giving praise to the Lamb. That being the case, there will still be families and nationalities and language groups. Nationalities but not Denominations. He saw Angels and unfamiliar creatures bringing praise to Him who was and who is and who is to come. There is music, singing, shouting, praising, thanksgiving.
With one voice we will all glorify God. New songs, the song of Moses, perhaps some of the songs we sing today will follow us. The present Heaven will be absolutely glorious because the full glory of God resides there. There will be perfect fellowship, unity, communication, grand stories of redemption, walks through the garden of God, intimate conversations with Jesus, exhilarating times of worship, praise and thanksgiving. We will be especially equipped to take it in. We won’t get bored or tired. We won’t get distracted by evil thoughts. There won’t be jealousy or irritation or frustration.
Paul contemplated both the immediate state after death and the ultimate eternal state.
Philippians 1:21-24 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
However, it is still not our final destiny. It is not the culmination of God's plan yet. There is more to come. Jesus taught his disciples to pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is a prayer for the culmination of God's plan on earth.
c) How do we get there?
The present heaven is a staging area for genuine followers of Christ until the final events of history and redemption unfold. There is also a holding place for those who refuse Christ until their judgment and transport to the place prepared for the devil and his angels. At the moment of death every person will be ushered to one place or the other. After Jesus encouraged His disciples by a glimpse of the future and their eternal home, He also revealed the way to get there.
John 14:1-6
I want to make it very clear. Even though hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41) all those who refuse to follow Christ will end up there as well. Not every one will enter heaven. Works will get no one into heaven. Entrance into heaven and eternal life on the New Earth comes only through faith in Christ.
d) How should this affect my living now?
1 Encourage continued endurance
We have already referenced many whose focus on their future home encouraged present endurance of hardship and trial. Scripture urges us to endure, not to become weary in well doing, keep pure, stay diligent, walk worthy, serve well, and faint not in this present world in light of its connection to the life to come.
Many in Hebrews 11 endured unspeakable suffering (sawn in two) by focusing on a country, a city not made with human hands or polluted by human hands; a better country. Heb 11:13-16
2 Inspire faithful diligent service
There will be more continuity between our life now and our life on the New Earth than we realize. What we do here and now has significant effect on life hereafter. It will relate to position, reward, responsibility, recognition, treasure. Faithfulness and diligence during this short time we live on this present earth affects our life on the New Earth for eternity.
Jesus urges us not to lay up treasures on earth but treasures in heaven. Paul talked about building with quality materials. He warned that no matter what our deeds may be down here, if they are tainted with bitterness, anger, selfishness, jealousy, prided, selfish ambition they will not stand the test of fire and all eternal benefit will be lost. 1 Cor 3:10-15
Much of our eternal circumstances will depend on our earthly commitment and faithfulness.
It will depend not just on faithful doing or working but on faithful being. Not just our daily occupation but our daily obedience. How much of our time is spent trying to restore the New Earth Life on the Old Earth? How much of our energy is spent acquiring and experiencing the good life now while forfeiting life in the next.
3 Promote holy living
2 Peter 3:10-18
Most every extended passage dealing with future events also contains a strong exhortation to present holy living. God did not tell us about the future for our information but our transformation and motivation. Contemplation of our future hope is intended to motivate our present holiness.
“What sort of people ought we to be?”
We will discuss life on the New Earth in a couple weeks but I want us to realize that contemplation of our heavenly home is to encourage endurance, inspire diligence and promote holiness. Hebrews 12 exhorts us to run with endurance the race set before us by thinking about the example of Jesus and the example of the faithful who have died and are cheering us on from their place in the present heaven. Submit to the Father’s training and discipline intended to train us in holy living. It may be uncomfortable now but the eternal results far outweigh the temporal distress. God instructs us to give particular attention to some particular issues as a family.
The motivation is to understand our present relationship to eternity.
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling."
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:18-24
We have a connection to the present heaven. We are citizens of an eternal kingdom.
See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven." This expression, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29
Listen!
4 Show gratitude by faithful service with appropriate reverence and awe.
What specific things should we as the family God give particular attention? (Ya all)
That is a discussion from the rest of Hebrews 12 that we will take up shortly.
Many have put great time and energy in your earthly retirement years but have given very little thought to your eternal destiny. We will not all be the same. Our life there will be significantly affected by our living here. As we express our commitment to Him through the communion celebration give it some thought.
