IN SUCH AN HOUR AS THIS

GOD'S HEAVEN

"Will You Be There"

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Today´s World

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If Then, you have been raised with Christ (to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead) aim at and seek the (rich, eternal treasures) that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For (as far as this world is concerned) you have died, and your (new, real) life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in (the splendor of His) glory. (Colossians 3: 1- 4)

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For every person in the United States, who believes he's going to Hell, there are hundreds who believe that they are going to Heaven. No doubt, there are more than hundreds of people who believe they will go to Heaven when they die. Thousands are deceived ~ including Christians. Thinking that something is so, does not necessarily mean it is the truth. No matter how many times people go to church, it doesn't mean that those people are real Christians who will go to Heaven.

In today's culture, we find many people who 'hope' they will go to Heaven, and others who think they will go to Heaven just because they have lived clean lives. The fact is, there is only one way to get to Heaven and few there are who actually get there.

In Matthew 7:13 -14, we find this account: "Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and 'many' are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it."

The narrow way is the only way to go through the realm of Heaven. There are people who play a game called Dare and some do it unconsciously, and others on purpose. The game goes like this: I will wait and see ~ and when it comes my turn to die ~ I will slip out of this world and into another world that Christians call 'Eternity'. And then I will decide which door I will open.
This kind of logic produces destruction and death. Once sinners die and go into Eternity, there is no looking back. Hell is the only option they have left!

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And Jacob woke up from his sleep and he said, surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it. He was afraid and said, How to be feared and reverenced is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gateway to Heaven! (Gen: 28: 16-17).

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What Will Keep Us Out of Heaven?

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All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. If you are not saved by the blood of Jesus, you are still a sinner. If you die in your sins, you immediately go to Hell.

Sin separates us from a relationship with God. Without His presence living in you, then you are not a child of God. You do not qualify for Heaven.

God is so holy that He cannot in anyway allow sin into His Presence. Sinners, who now are in Hell, are completely cut off from God forever.

God's eyes are too pure to look upon any evil. Evil is an abomination to God.

God cannot and will not tolerate wrong. Wrongdoing is spawn from Satan.

Because we are sinners, we are not entitled to enter the presence of God. No one can automatically go to Heaven, unless her or his sin problems are resolved.

A lot of people cross their fingers and hope their name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. The doubting Thomas' have reason to wonder. Real Christians should know and can know, that their names are written in the Book of Life.

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Hell is a reality check for the lost. It is also a reality check for Christians, who do not make an effort to win sinners to Christ. We should be broken hearted and tearful when someone goes to Hell. We should fall to our knees and pray for the lost, then go to the doors of those who are without Christ. But sadly, many Christians never take time to do the most important thing Jesus told us to do.

"Hell is by far the worst tragedy that has encompassed the World and our Universe". ~ T.Hart

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Behold, the heavens and the heaven of heavens belong to the Lord your God, the earth also, with all that is in it and on it. (Deut: 10:14).

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The curious people have many roads they travel. Some people contend that everyone ultimately will be saved and go to Heaven, but that is a lie of lies from Satan. Others argue that we as Christians (?) need to take a higher road, one that consists only by God's love. These are the people who reject the Truth about Hell, and the ones who merely assume they are Christians and on their way to Heaven. I would encourage anyone who has this thwarted idea to make a conscious decision to accept Jesus Christ and surrender your life to Him. Then you can be certain that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and that your home is Heaven.

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But will God indeed dwell with men on the Earth? Behold, the heavens and heaven of heavens (in its most extended compass) cannot contain You; how much less this house that I have built? (1 Kings 8:27).

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God created the Heavens and the heavens of heaven. This implies that there is more than one Heaven. Three of these heavens are the first heaven which contains are atmosphere. The second heaven is the dwelling place for Satan and his angels. The third heaven is said to be the dwelling place of God, however, God is not limited to His dwelling place and He can move from the spiritual realm and into the physical realm. Granted, God is a Spirit and so our His angels. But, the Son sits at the right hand of the Father, and He is a spiritual being as well as a physical being. Jesus, after His resurrection, was definitely still a physical person as well as a resurrected person. He showed many His nail pierced hands and feet. He also ate, drank, and appeared to the disciples and His followers worshipped Him. When He left Earth, and went to live with His Father, He was still in a physical and resurrected form. One thing that changed was the fact that He then had a resurrected body with many capabilities.

Jesus told the disciples that He must go away ~ but that He would come again and take them and the believers to a place to live with Him. A place is by nature 'physical', and we see this when Jesus mentioned that He was preparing a place (homes) for us. (John 14:2-3)

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"As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice, and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake (to find myself) beholding Your form (and having sweet communion with You.)"

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There are no words to accurately describe the place called Heaven because we have not yet been there. But, we can in our mind's eye, catch a glimpse of the beauty that awaits us. Imagine that you are in Heaven. All about you are people who are smiling, laughing and enjoying life in Heaven. There are no angry or depressed people there. You look out God's window and the sky is breathtaking with vivid hues of the sunset. There are jagged mountains in the distance and crystal clear rivers flowing, and meandering brooks and waterfalls for the delight of the children.

There are lovely flowers and trees, and children frolicking about in the soft green grass. You reach up and pluck an orange from a tree and it is so sweet it is startling. Little children play without fear, as mothers and fathers enjoy meeting other believers. Everything is peaceful and serene and everyone you meet has eyes filled with love.

Our loved ones, who have gone before us, are there in God's Heaven and what joy they display and how happy they are in His presence. You see someone coming and as He gets closer you see, that it is Jesus and He has a big smile on His face. You fall at His feet in worship. Then He reaches down and picks you up and embraces you. There is never a boring minute there for there are many discoveries to make in Heaven, and best of all, Jesus is there. ~ Tara's Thoughts

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Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; (your eyes) will behold a land of wide distances that stretches afar. (Isaiah 33: 17).

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Prompted by faith Abraham dwelt as a temporary resident in the land that was designated in the promise (of God, though he was like a stranger) in a strange country. For he was (waiting expectantly and confidently) looking forward to the city, which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God. (Heb. 11:9-10).

These people all died ~ controlled and sustained by their faith, but not having received the tangible fulfillment of (God's) promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, and all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon Earth. (Heb. 11:13).

But the truth is, that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly (one). (Heb. 11:16)

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Earth was our original Home but it is no more, because has been damaged by Sin. (Gen. 3:17). The existing earth is under the Curse and thus it cannot be our home. We as God's children have never known a world without sin, suffering and death. For that reason, we long for our heavenly home. Although are home is not currently on Earth, yet it will be one day in the future. As pilgrims in this world, we wait even now for Christ's coming and our bodily resurrection. And one day, after all is said and done, we will live in the New Earth and the New Heaven throughout the eternity of eternities.

"For behold, I create New Heavens and a New Earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.". (Isaiah 65:17).

"For as the New Heavens and the New which I will make shall remain before Me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain." (Isaiah 66:22).

"Then I saw a new sky (heaven) and a new earth, for the former sky and the former earth had passed away (vanished), and there no longer existed any sea."

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The Intermediate Heaven

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When a Christian dies, he or she enters into what Theologians call the Intermediate State. It is a transitional period that encompasses our past lives on Earth, and the future resurrection to life on the New Earth. Normally, when we refer to "Heaven", we mean the place that Christians go when they die. When our children ask where their Grandparents went after they died, we tell them Grandma or Grandpa is in Heaven. Yet actually, we are referring to the Intermediate Heaven. By definition it is the Intermediate State or location ~ it is "temporary" not eternal. There are those who contend that there is an intermediate body after death. This could not be further from the truth. Although the body is in the grave, it is the same body that will be resurrected.

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The life in Heaven that we go to when we die is a place where we will dwell 'prior' to our bodily resurrection. This place is far better then the lives they lived on Earth, for they are no longer under the Curse. However, the Intermediate Heaven is not our final destination, it is simply a temporary place. We are assured that this Heaven will be a glorious place to live, for God never gives us used goods. Remember, Jesus is with us no matter where our dwelling place is situated.

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The present Intermediate Heaven is in the angelic realm, and is distinctly separate from Earth. In contrast, the future Heaven will be in the human realm, on Earth.
References in Revelation concerning human beings speaking and giving praise to God, in Heaven prior to the Resurrection of the dead displays our spiritual-beings as being conscious, and not sleeping after death.

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For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? Who among the mighty (heavenly beings) can be likened to the Lord. A God greatly feared and revered in the council of the holy (angelic) ones, and to be feared and worshipfully revered above all those who are round about Him? (Psalm 89:6-7).

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The Intermediate Heaven is not our final destination; it is simply a temporary place. We are assured that this Heaven will be a glorious place to live, for God never gives us used goods. Remember, Jesus is with us no matter where our dwelling place is situated.

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This Heaven is not the place we are made for ~ because the place God promises to Refashion for us to live in is Forever. God's children have a destiny, and a life everlasting, and we will be Resurrected Beings on a Resurrected Earth. Our true destination (the resurrected Earth and Heavens) is far into our future, for many things must occur before our final Destination is completed.

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Will we be with our Lord Jesus Christ forever? Yes! We absolutely will be with Him forever! One person asked, if we would always be with Him in the same place that Heaven is now. The answer is No!

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The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the Earth has He given to the children of men. (Psalm 115:16)

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In the intermediate Heaven, the people will be in the presence of our Lord and they will be happy and filled with love. But beyond that, each and every one living there will be waiting with anticipation for Christ's return to earth and our bodily resurrection. When the trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ rise first, and those still alive will meet Him in the air, and then we will go to God's dwelling place and live there for seven years.

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Immediately after the Tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light, and the stars will fall from the sky; and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and the sign of the Son of Man will come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. After Jesus will be crowned King and Satan and the false Prophet will be cast into the pit and will remain there for 1,000 - year-reign on Earth. After that Satan will reappear for a short time. The next thing in this scenario will be the Great White Throne Judgment. After the final judgment, Satan and his evil ones and all of those people whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire that burns forever and ever.

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For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17)

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We find many things in the book of Revelation that give us renewed hope and rejoicing. There are things in these passages that many of us have neglected to digest. Bear in mind that this scenario is in the present Heaven where God and Jesus dwells with his saints, the Prophets, and the angels.

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In Revelation 6:9-11, it says: "When the Lamb broke open the fifth seal, I saw at the foot of the altar the souls of those whose lives had been sacrificed for (adhering to) the Word of God and for the testimony they had borne. They cried in a loud voice, O (Sovereign) Lord, holy and true, how long now before You will sit in judgment and avenge our blood upon those who dwell on the earth? Then they were each given a long and flowing and festive white robe and told to rest and wait patiently a little while longer, until the number should be complete of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed as they themselves had been."

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There are several things we need to address in this passage of Scripture, that will open eyes and bring hope and rejoicing to those who have already died, and each of us who will die. We notice firstly that these people died on the Earth and then they relocated to Heaven (vs.9). These are not different people; they are the very same ones that were killed on Earth. This shows us a direct continuity with our identity on Earth and our identity in Heaven! These martyrs have their own personal history intact that goes directly to the lives they lived when on Earth. Be sure ~ that these are the very same people who were martyred on Earth and are now in Heaven. (Heb: 12:23).

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Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on Earth besides You. (Psalm 73:25)

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Many people probably have wondered, if the souls in Heaven have any memories of their lives on Earth. The answer to that is, yes, they do. People in Heaven will be remembered for their lives on Earth. The souls under the altar certainly would be remembered for their lives during their time on Earth. Many of them living there would be able to identify those who were slain and sacrificed, because of the testimony they so maintained. (vs 9).

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The souls under the altar called out with a loud voice. This tells us that they had the ability to audibly express themselves. This could 'possibly' mean that they exist in physical form, with vocal chords or other such means of expression. This we are not certain about. Many are the mysteries that lie far beyond our reach.

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People in the intermediate Heaven are able to raise their voice (vs. 10). This displays that these souls are rational, able to communicate and are emotional beings that suggests that these souls are like people that were on Earth. They called out in a Loud voice. They are real individuals who speak out with 'one' voice ~ that expresses the unity of shared love with all those who are in Heaven.

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The martyrs by all means are conscious and aware of their surroundings and those of God, and the happenings on Earth. They plead and ask God to intervene on Earth in their behalf. "How long now before You will sit in judgment and avenge our blood upon those who dwell on the Earth?" (vs. 10)

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According to Your steadfast love give life to me; then I will keep the testimony of Your mouth (hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it). Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven (stands firm as the heavens). (Psalm 119:88-89)

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Those residing in Heaven can gladly have an audience with God, and they are free to sit at His feet and ask Jesus questions. The people desire to learn and have understanding and they pursue it.

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People in the intermediate Heaven know and understand what is happening on Earth. The martyrs realize that those who killed them have yet to be judged. (vs. 10)

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Those who have lived in Heaven for some time, have a deep-seeded concern about justice and retribution. (vs10). These people are not disinterested in what is happening on Earth, they have a thirst for justice. Neither God nor we will be satisfied until the enemies are judged, and our bodies raised and sin and Satan defeated. They wait for the restoration of Planet Earth and Christ being exalted over all.

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The martyrs still remember the lives they lived on Earth, and even remembered that they were murdered for the cause of Christ. (vs 10)

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The throngs of people in Heaven have the distinct privilege of seeing God's attributes (Sovereign; holy and true) and these are able in such a way to make His judgment of sin certainly more understandable.

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Born anew into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay (imperishable), unsullied and unfading, reserved in Heaven for you. Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through (your) faith (til you fully inherit that final) salvation that is ready to be revealed (for you) in the last time. (1 Pet:1:4-5)

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Everyone in Heaven is a distinct individual. "Then each of them (the martyrs) was given a white robe" (vs 11). Each individual is unique and thus no identity problems exist in Heaven.

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The Martyrs who are wearing white robes have an appearance that they are in physical forms. Disembodied spirits are not known to wear robes. Perhaps the robes are symbolic, but again it could be physical ~ seeing that John could actually see the martyrs.

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In verse 11, we see that God answered their question. This shows that there is communication and process in Heaven. Furthermore, it indicates that even though we are in Heaven, we will not know everything. Certainly the martyrs knew a lot more after God answered their question. The people living there learn much in the presence of God.

God agreed to fulfill the request from the martyrs, with the stipulation that they would

"wait' a little longer."

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Some people might dispute the fact that there is 'time' in the intermediate Heaven. But it is true. The martyrs clothed in white raiment, asked God a time-dependent question. "How long, Sovereign Lord ~ until You judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (vs 10). The martyrs no doubt are aware of the passing of time, and they are expectantly waiting the coming day of the Lord's judgment. God's answer was "wait' until other events transpire on the Earth."

Clearly there cannot be any dispute about the 'passing of time' in the Intermediate Heaven.

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The family of God in Heaven is connected with those still on Earth. They are called and who are their "fellow servants and brothers" (vs 11). We all share the same Father, no matter where we are at present.

"For Whom every family in heaven and on Earth is named (that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name)."

There is no wall of partition or separation within the Body of Christ (the Bride of Christ). We as a corporate family are 'one'. We are one family with those also who have already gone to Heaven. And when each of us goes to Heaven, we still will be one family with those on Earth.

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Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! (Job:22:12)

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Revelation 22:4 says of God servants on the New Earth, that they will see His face. To see His is the loftiest of all aspirations. For us to be told, that we one day would see God's face, has to be one of the most shocking things we will ever encounter.

When Moses asked God to show Him his glory, God told Moses that He would cause all of His goodness to pass in front of him, but that he could not see God's face.

The New Testament says that God lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To see God's face was utterly unthinkable. (1 Tim. 6:16)

When we see the face of God, and we will see it, we will be totally astounded. The obstacles to seeing God are daunting.

"Without holiness no one will see the Lord". It is only because we will be fully righteous in Christ Jesus, and completely sinless, that we will be able to see God and live! Not only will we see His face, but also we must ask ourselves if we ever lived before we saw His face! To see the One who sits on the Throne in all of His majesty will be the greatest of joy. It will be a joy by which all others will be measured.

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