(Revelation 21:27) "...but they which are written in the LAMB'S Book of Life." Only those who have accepted JESUS CHRIST as their personal Savior (John 3:36) - "He that believeth on the SON, hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abideth on him."
In the Old Testament (before CHRIST'S birth, death, and resurrection), there was a place in the heart of earth, called Paradise. There was a great gulf fixed between Paradise and Hell, as told in Luke 16, which we will study more thoroughly in our next lesson. But into Paradise went the souls and spirits of the believing dead. They, by faith believed in CHRIST, looking forward to HIS first Coming and death on the Cross with this Hope they sacrificed the blood of animals, as their faith in the Coming of the LAMB of GOD. Their bodies of course, went back to the dust from whence they come, to await the resurrection of their bodies, which is a future Event.
After the death, burial and resurrection of CHRIST, the period we call LAW, was ended, and we entered the period of GRACE, or the CHURCH Age. Now, when believers die, they go directly to Heaven to be with CHRIST. (Phil. 1:21-23) "For to me to live is CHRIST, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I want not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with CHRIST, which is far better."
The Old Testament Paradise and its believers
have been moved into the Third Heaven. Christ and the Cross are the "Central
Events" of all history.
Now Paul says, "To die is to be with Christ." We know that CHRIST is at the right-hand of GOD, the FATHER, in the Third Heaven. (II Corinthians 5:8) says, "...to be absent from the body, is to be present with LORD."
There are some other things you may be wondering about Heaven; such as, will we recognize each other in Heaven? I think the Scriptures indicate so, for on the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah, who had died long before, were still recognizable and their names were still Moses and Elijah.
I Corinthians 13:12 says that we will have more superior knowledge than what we have now. "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
It also seems that the redeemed in Heaven know what is going on here on earth. In Luke 15:7, it says: "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." This couldn't mean the rejoicing is among the angels, for remember, we said angels can never know the joy our salvation brings.
Hebrews 12:1 says: "We are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses" (saints in Heaven watching what is going on in the earth).
Will we have a body if this physical body goes back to the ground? The Bible teaches that when a believer dies, his soul and spirit leave the body and go immediately to be with CHRIST. Based on II Corinthians 5, that soul and spirit occupy a temporary body between death and resurrection while awaiting the resurrection of their body. (I Thessalonians 4:16). We don't know just what the body will be like, but I John says, we shall be like JESUS: "Beloved now are we the sons of GOD, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when HE shall appear, we shall be like HIM; for we shall see HIM as HE is." That's good enough for me.
Who is going to Heaven? Go back to the beginning of our lesson and note, "They which are written in the LAMB'S Book of Life." only those who have accepted CHRIST as their own personal Savior. (John 3:36) "He that believeth not the SON, shall not see life: but the wrath of GOD abideth on him." (Romans 10:13) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."
If you are not sure that you are saved and going to Heaven, settle the matter right now by acknowledging to GOD that you are a sinner. You cannot save yourself. Call on the NAME of the LORD and accept CHRIST's death as your own; then by faith, you will become a child of GOD and will spend eternity with HIM in Heaven.
If you have just accepted CHRIST NOW, write down today's date as your spiritual birthday.
