March 22 Lesson #1 (part 3 of 3)
Who are We? Where are We Going?
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Sunday Morning Foundations Classes --
God's Positioning System (GPS)
Who are We? Where are We Going?
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Sunday Morning Foundations Classes --
God's Positioning System (GPS)
 |
| From the Garden of Eden (Genesis) to the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation) Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and the End |
What happens when this life ends?
Most of the people coming to this blog are familiar with some concept of heaven or the hereafter. To Christians it may mean one thing, to others it may have an entirely different meaning or no meaning at all. But, the question remains: Is heaven real? Is it an actual place? For those that believe in the Bible, the answer is "yes" heaven is a real place. Which raises the question, "What happens to the soul when someone dies?" Do all people go to heaven? The Christian Church is adamant that there is a heaven, but somewhat vague on what heaven is like. Part of that vagueness is that the Bible doesn't describe heaven in detail--the reason being, it is beyond our knowledge and understanding; almost like trying to explain Einstein's Theory of Relativity to a third grader. But, what about the new heaven and new earth mentioned in the Bible? We will attempt to explore that question and not contradict Scripture in doing so.
But first things first. What happens when we or a loved one dies? Though our body dies and is laid to rest, our spirit lives on and goes before God at which time our eternal destiny will be established--either with God or alienated from God forever. Christ assured the thief on the cross of this with these words in Luke 23:42-43 (NIV)
42 Then he [the thief] said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
42 Then he [the thief] said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
The Bible also states that there will be "a new heaven" and "a new earth, "which is part of the focus of this study.
End of Lesson #1 (part 3 of 3)
This is a weekly study series. Each lesson will be posed on the following Saturday. Same link address. Check the index on the right when you log on for updates.
This is a weekly study series. Each lesson will be posed on the following Saturday. Same link address. Check the index on the right when you log on for updates.
