Let’s Talk About Heaven: Our Eternal Home

You are listening to a new beginning with Greg Laurie, a podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God.

Visit our website and learn more about harvest partners@harvest.org when I was running track and field many years ago. I always read roster for the girl was watching some people wonder of those who've gone to heaven watching heavily wrenched today on a new beginning after Greg Laurie address his friends watching us like to say with any certainly, but I know one thing Jesus Christ watching should be the greatest motivation for running the race. Any major city. There are cameras watching walk drive security cameras in front of the market building to a nearby ATM maybe a WebCam building someone video doorbell. What about our friends and loved ones in heaven they watching what's going on here on earth after Greg Laurie addresses that question several others as you present a glimpse of life inside our eternal talk about heaven part two were in Revelation chapters let's answer some often ask questions about the afterlife number one what we do in heaven. I think some people think of going to be super boring what we know we will be worshiping and that's of course why I exist to bring glory to God, but Revelation 15 says I saw glassy mix of fire and there stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast that would be the Antichrist in this image and the number representing his name. They were holding harps.

There are harps in heaven got a given them and they were singing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb. So there will be singing in heaven. I think one of the reasons of the unbridled worship in heaven is because now we know all things, all of our questions are answered all of our pain is removed all of our tears are dry, but here's something to get to doing that, but I guarantee this, you're going to be eating amazing food and have it come on, you want to to get that from the Bible. The only authority source in heaven. Revelation 1919, then the angel said blessed are those who invited to the wedding supper, and not only will you have that meal but to be with people whole thing about having a nice meal is having.

It was someone you like to be with right being with friends and family enjoying a meal together will check this out. You have some pretty amazing company. Matthew 811 says, and that they come you will take your place at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. How's that for starters. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to have a meal with think about meaning people of the Bible asking David what was like to slay Goliath to know so-and-so working in that article that time there are Moses when you parted the Red Sea give me some details about Esther. What was it like to save the entire Jewish race.

Deborah, what was it like to lead all those people in the battle. Hey Mary, Mary. What was it like to carry Jesus in your womb, and later have them in your heart. I mean don't you want to ask those questions. I do is when I'm around godly people.

I want details I want information I want to learn from them and you'll have access to all these great men and women of God from the Bible gone before us to meet the Lord."

Of course it's been reunited with loved ones that we miss, how many of you have someone that was very close to you who has gone to heaven right now you have someone that's pretty much everybody so you think about those people. Don't you and you think about being with them because one of the hardest things about death. This communication is cut off immediately and you want to communicate with them and it's so hard when you can't so that brings me to the next issue in this is a big one. That of course is to people in heaven know what's going on on earth know my answer is going to surprise some people because I've heard others give a different answer than the one I'm going to give to you two people in heaven know what is going on with us on earth by answer. Simplified is maybe okay maybe I might even take it a step further and say, quite possibly do some would say no that the kind of default answer as many as know there were never the worshiping God they don't know about you this home care about you. There'd preoccupied with Jesus. Well, I think there are some scriptures I would suggest a different approach to that. Not sure a few of them in the will close on number one people in eternity are aware of the fact that their loved ones are not. Say zero. How do you know that because over in Luke 16 will get into this more next time is the story of Lazarus and the rich not the Lazarus, Jesus raised from the dead, another luscious they both died Lazarus as a godly man, the rich man was an ungodly man to the book entered into eternity. Lazarus went to the place of comfort with Abraham and the rich man the sinful man was separated out place of torment, but that man was conscious of those he left behind and he says in Luke 1628. I have five brothers and I want to warn them about this place of torment so they won't come here when they die, that indicates a knowledge in eternity of what is happening on earth because sometimes it was that you don't know anything while back I knew that brothers I want to go for my brothers. I don't want them to end up here so there's a knowledge in eternity what's happening on earth number two when people believe in Jesus on earth it's public knowledge and have it I was going to crusade one sitting with San Jose and I went to bed and then ask their crusade was the start and I heard some noise in the room fixing the little music I got louder and louder. Then it was like so loud it was insane music.

The wall was something that I thought of you this this I can't sleep next to this.

I called down the front. Is there something really noisy going on in the room next to me and so they yet I didn't want them to rat me out. You know that I'm the guy, but I want to my little people.

Okay, so they sent security up some guy was having some kind of a bachelor party, you brought a DGN with a sound system and I watched the people. The whole time.

I think there were like 30 people in this room there taken a giant speakers lights and all and I know what it was so loud, so my point is, if there's a party happening in the room next door to you. You'll hear it. So there's a party and have been you'll know about it. So in Luke chapter 15 Jesus talked about a shepherd who lost his sheep, a woman who lost the coin and a father who was reunited with his son.

So talking about this shepherd that lost his sheep. He left his $99 lost sheep wrapped around his neck, brought it back happy.

He found that little lamb and then Jesus is and I tell you there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than 99 people who don't need to repent. Then Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son and another boy came back to his father again and then he says likewise. I tell you, there's more joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents that we read that and think what I means the angels rejoice every time a sinner repents job they probably do. But Jesus did not say there is joy among the angels.

Rather, he said that when a sinner repents. There is joy in the presence of the angels of God. So I'm rejoicing to but maybe were rejoicing. Maybe in heaven, you're aware that someone you had prayed for for your entire life on earth just came to Christ and you're aware of their salvation and your giving God glory for that. So there is an awareness in heaven of what is happening on earth. Then Revelation 6. The chapter had to turn to.

Like a year ago, we read in verse nine. This is a scene from heaven when the Lamb broke the fifth seal ice on the altar the souls of those who had been martyred for the word of God were being fearful for their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said all sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to the world and avenge our blood for what they've done to us and it was said that they should rest a little while longer. So here are people who are martyred for their faith. These are not angels. These are mere mortals like us.

They been put to death for their faith in Jesus there in heaven and they knew they were put to death for following Jesus demonstrating a direct continuity between identity on earth and identity in heaven. They were the same people are not different people there aware of what is happened to them.

There also aware of the passing of time on earth is in verse 10, how long until you judge and avenge our blood. So the idea is they know something is wrong and they wanted me right again. My point is, people in heaven are aware of what's happening on her. So when people say they don't know anything up there will actually I beg to differ.

I think they may mean no more than we think. Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message just a moment. It's such a blessing to hear from listeners who take time to express their appreciation, Pastor Greg, I just wanted to thank you for your daily devotionals and also for your sermons. I especially liked your series on heaven and what to expect when we get there.

It's helped me accept my husband's death easier knowing that for the year and 1/2 of him being in the hospital suffering complications from a liver transplant and him not being able to eat any food. Now that he's in heaven he needed anything he wants to. That somehow gave me great comfort in knowing this, since my faith is in the Lord and Savior. I know that he's not suffering any longer and I will see him again someday, but also learning of things that we can expect in heaven. From your message just brought me a little more comfort in this very difficult time right now. Thank you so much for being a vessel for God. If you have a story to share. Why not call us and give us all the details. Here's the number 1866-871-1144 866-871-1144. Will Pastor Greg continues now with one of the most requested messages of the past year. It's called let's talk about heaven part two, Hebrews 12, a very familiar verse. It's a cinch or surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside the weight and the sin that so easily besets us and run with endurance the race of the set before us, looking on the Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith. For the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and now is set down on the right hand of God. Now member. I told you recently whenever you see the word therefore find out what it's there for so whoever wrote Hebrews.

We don't know who wrote it made them Paul. We don't know. But the author of Hebrews is therefore center surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Okay, he's drawn and what was said. What are the just say Hebrews 11 he told us all about the heroes of the faith recall Hebrews 11 the heroes of the faith, the hall of faith and these are great men and women of God that were used very powerfully, Abraham, Moses, Joseph Gideon Samson David Rahab Daniel.

The list goes on and I would start therefore. So here's the thing I'm wondering is this telling us that there watching us from heaven. Therefore center surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, run the race. It is simple for you heavenly grandstands, you know, when I was running track and field many years ago I always ran faster. If a pretty girl was watching me.

I notice this. It was just drudgery running house in Nassau to grow faster, you know when someone is watching you that you love like only go to the soccer game of one of our grandchildren.

The they score a goal of the do's and then look over to see if her watching you know they want to be watched and so are we being watched.

I don't know but it may be that they're just giving us an example.

They want before. As they showed us how to do it so we admire that example are they watching this. I can't say with any certainty.

But I know one thing Jesus Christ is watching us and that should be the greatest motivation for running the race of life. He's cheering you on. And I've heard it said we use 5% of our brain capacity. Can you imagine 5%.

I don't even know some people use all 5% and maybe one of so presumably in heaven will get the other 95% of our brain given to us and probably a lot more you not the thing about heaven when you get there is knowledge, I don't think you'll know everything there are many verses that would apply. You learn things in heaven, things will be revealed to you and have another way, should be like one of those bobble heads of those bobble head to big John had little tiny body so you know you can alert you to know a lot more. The moment you get there, but I think you'll learn new things about the glory of God learn new things about God's creation learn new things about the mysteries of God learn new things about all kinds of things though you're going to be learning in heaven, you're going to be worshiping in heaven you going to be eating in heaven.

The Bible says you'll be serving and have you'll be serving the Lord. The Bible says we serve the Lord day and night, so this idea of being bored and haven't forgot about is going to be nonstop action and beauty and splendor in New Orleans but best of all it will be nonstop Jesus and you'll see your loved ones again. You'll be reunited with those that have gone to heaven before you and what a day that will be. I'm looking forward to that. Especially with my son and the other members of my family so I think deep down inside were homesick for a place we've never been before second line of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. There's no place like home and then home is heaven for each of us one day. Heaven is your home a place of paradise is city or country so how can I know that I am going to have this corrected. John 14 they quoted no close with this Jesus said in my father's house are many mansions and I were not so I would've told you if I go I'll come again and receive going to my cell phone where I go you know in the way you know good old Thomas said excuse me, we don't know where you're going to we don't know the way I'm so glad he asked that question is ending. A lot of times Jesus would say something and all the other disciples would not in unison so good, that is so deep I'm tweeting that later, but I think Thomas was honest like I have no idea what you're even talking about what you even mean when you say where you go. We know the way we know we don't know where you're going and we don't know the way, what is Jesus say I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes of the father but by me. Excellent question. Thomas giving us this signature statement of Christ to say you believe in heaven, but then not read what the Bible has to say about it would be like say what I believe in Disneyland, but I do not believe that the location is accurate.

So I'm in a go to where I think Disneyland is and I will enter the way that I want to enter Disneyland okay whatever.

So you can end up with some lame golf course with one broken ride height or no, but if you happen to make it to the Magic Kingdom. You gotta go in the Disney way. You don't go in at all. You try to just walk in the car shall be stopped, arrested by the Disney police will be put in Disney jail and and I don't know what happens after that but you want to get into Disneyland you pay the price of what is $2000 for a day. That's just the food but whatever it is you pay the price and they stamp your hand and I you can go in the parking out of the parking back in the park again and all that you have to be the price will look you can afford the price to cover, but it was paid for you. 2000 years ago by Jesus on the cross member I told you heaven is not for good people because you're not good enough to get there but heaven is for forgiven peoples of the real question is are you forgiven have you said the God I know in the center. I know I don't deserve to go to heaven but you've offered me this wonderful promise that I can go there someday and I want to so I want to believe in you and that's really what it comes down to, you have to admit your sin believe Jesus died on the cross for your sin churn from that sin asked God to forgive you of that sin and begin to follow Christ. When you do that you can know with certainty. I'm going to have a when I die I guaranteed how do you know because God promised that I would go there and I'm taken them on that promise.

I'm standing on that promise. And I know many of you believe it is well I want to make sure everybody here and everybody wherever you are. I want you to know this and he's just a prayer away so I'm in a give you an opportunity to ask God to forgive you of your sin so you can know that you know that you know you're going private spray father, thank you for your word to us.

Thank you for your promise to us of heaven. How amazing it is and we want to all go there. One day we want to see you, Lord.

We want to see this paradise. This place the city this country.

This place it exceeds our wildest dreams, and I pray for any buddy here or anybody listening wherever they are, that they don't have the hope of heaven them to come to you and believe in you right now right now, for we ask Jesus to Greg Laurie important word of prayer. And if you like to make a change today in your relationship with the Lord. Pastor Greg would like to help you with will do so before today's edition of a new beginning.

Concludes then we want to make available a wonderful book for kids.

It's a devotional book. Boy what a great time to give your child a devotional book so they can start this new year off right. It's the colorful book from pastor Levi Lesko called roar like a lion partially by what your parents know about how kids are coping with life as we began 2022. Are they navigating this crazy time better than we think. Or worse than we think.

I think the answer that question is yes, Dave.

I think it's the best of times, and a source of times I think I will level the this the studies are in anxiety, depression, suicide, hopelessness, drug addiction, these things are skyrocketing, but I don't think it's just because of COBIT.

I think it's a perfect storm of a of a of the society that's continuing to hasten towards a state of secularism. I think it's also the social media addiction as well as the fact that you know people are not outside walking around, getting Nate, the nature fix like were meant to everyone's inside there's a there's a toxicity to social media being on devices binge watching Netflix people are reading less, which is one of the things that so important just reading to our kids are kids reading. People are reading.

Re: Lester just skimming you have the Internet and and so yes, it's the worst worst of times on that level what we expect out of out of of you know people being isolated which we know is as bad as it is bad for your body is smoking a pack of cigarettes to live in isolated life, like to a week of isolation without friendship. That's just sociologists have proven that, but I think also it's the best of times to because what we call the greatest generation is the generation that came out of the Great Depression. So the hardest times can create the best people yes so I see glimmers of that I believe God is raising up a generation of young people to seek him to glorify him and to stand up in this world and and and bring him the Majesty. He's T deserves but it's it's both. It's both, and at the same time so even listening.

The pastor Levi Lesko who had just written a brand-new book called roar like a lion 90 devotions to a courageous faith.

This is the book you been looking for to read your children and your grandchildren and will rush to your own copy for your gift of any size to us here at a new beginning so we can continue to come your way with the teaching of the word of God and the proclamation of the gospel.

Yeah, that's right.

And you notice the perfect time to maximize your investment in the work we do here at harvest ministries and we have huge plans for 2022, including a large Crusade outreach and a film documenting the Jesus revolution will pray God sends another revival like the Jesus movement so your donation couldn't come at a better time and with your investment.

Be sure to ask for roar like a lion by pastor Levi Lesko. You can donate online@harvest.org or write us at a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300.

We can take your call anytime again at 1-800-821-3300 Pastor Greg you spoke today about having a relationship with the Lord. Yes, someone can enter into that kind of relationship with God right now can't yet they really can.

That's the amazing thing. I think people are surprised that it doesn't take years to become a Christian.

It doesn't take months. It doesn't take weeks. It doesn't take days, it doesn't even take ours you can believe on the spot and I would like to lead you in a prayer where you can ask for his forgiveness. A prayer where you can receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior and Lord.

So if you want Christ to come in your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want a second chance in life. If you want to go to heaven when you die, stop what you're doing and pray after me these words Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I'm sorry for my sin and I turn from it now and I choose to follow you from this moment forward as Savior and Lord is God and friend. Thank you for loving me and calling me ever giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen man listen. If you have just prayed those words with pastor Greg.

The Lord has heard you and forgiven you of your sin. The Bible tells us Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and would like to send you some materials to help you begin to live this new life we call that our new believers growth packet just ask for it and will send it your way, free of any charge if you prayed for the first time today with pastor Greg call us at 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime at 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or just go to harvest.org and click the words know God when next I pastor Greg offer some help when the burdens of life began piling up just like when the trashcan is overflowing. It's time to take out the trash. Learn how to do that next time.

Join us here on a new beginning with pastor and Bible regularly new beginning as a podcast, made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God if this cell has impacted your life. Share your story, leave a review on your favorite podcast and help others find help