What Does the Bible Say Heaven Will Actually Be Like?

What will it be like in heaven best is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answered your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. The numbers 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 course you can also email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com. You can post a question on her Facebook page or Instagram page. We would love to hear from you. First up today Israel have a good news story to share with you many schools in the San Francisco Bay area had been closed for six weeks now, but nine-year-old Jaden fabricant is using his free time and putting his computer skills to good use during the coronavirus lockdown. He has been making 3D printed face shields for frontline healthcare workers and local churches. 3D printing has been Jaden's hobby since the age of five is they had help them get started.

So far he has made 103 departed face shields and he says he doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. While I can tell you something Bill. That kid is going somewhere. I mean that I was nine years older than my hobbies were eating bugs and things had with my friends to keep doing 3D printing while okay cool, isn't that amazing is so cool, so good for you Jaden. Let's get to our first question. This one comes from Jimmy, who posted on our Instagram page. He says thank you guys for your amazing videos.

I have a question regarding salvation. I got saved at the age of 19 and immediately had a heart for evangelism and helping Christians grow in their faith. When I came to faith.

I recognize the incredible love of the Lord that he would choose me to be his child through the perfect sacrifice of his son. However, here I am almost 3 years later and I still do not weep over my sin.

I am angry at my sin, but not always. This scares me, since if I don't understand the depth of my sin. I probably don't understand the gospel fully. I feel if I did understand the value of Christ and the unity he has with the father and that my sin is separated that unity, then I should be on my face before God every day. I guess my question is if I sometimes feel numb to my sin.

Am I really saved and how do we understand the severity of my sin more yeah Jimmy thank you for that question. You know when we first come to the Lord. I think we have just a small understanding of our sin, and of the greatness of the gospel. May we think we get it all II did at least when I first started walking with Jesus. He was like. I understand the lights been turned on. But the reality is throughout our Christian life were always going to be growing, but at that stage just small understanding of the depth of our sin.

And I think it's the grace of the Lord and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that causes us more and more as time goes by to see just how bad our sin really was and is still in as we recognize how bad our sin is an I was a that really is the grace of God is God revealing to us. It's a work of the Holy Spirit areas in our lives. We still need to repent and turn to the Lord as we realize that what should be happening is our appreciation of the work of Jesus Christ should be growing. Our love for the gospel.

Our love for the cross should be increasing so the Christian life. I think Jimmy is this steady progression in seeing more and more the depth and the heinousness of my sins while simultaneously resting in and receiving the grace of God's forgiveness in the gospel so that I'm actually loving him even more. I think of that scene. And in Luke chapter 7 where Jesus forgives the sinful woman in your member what he said in Luke chapter 7 in verse 47 there in the presence of a religious leader and Jesus says therefore I tell you, her sins which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much but he was forgiven little loves little other reality is all of us have a lot that we need to be forgiven if we just don't realize it. And the more and more we see the depth of our sin, the more and more I think we come to love the Lord because we can rest in the fact that God through Jesus has forgiven our sins. Now let me give you. I think Jimmy just one warning something to watch out for. Often times were trying to earn God's forgiveness by our response to our sins. It's subtle we can sort of go through this practice of penance self-flagellation unit we fail in in one area of our lives. Maybe it's an area where we have these repeated failings and we think why just can't approach the Lord now. At least not until I have a period of sorrow until I feel really really sorry about what it is that I've done with the truth is, our sin is so evil in the sight of a holy God that we couldn't feel sorry enough to atone for our sins as a pastor I used to know and yet this great line. He said there are only two places that sin is taken seriously in the hell and at the cross and when we think that by our pitiful sorry displays we can atone for our sins, got a fake okay you feel bad enough, now accept you at what it does that actually cheapens the high view of sin that Scripture gives to us that we take sin seriously. You know how not by wallowing in sorrow by turning in faith to Jesus. And so when you feel guilty when you recognize I know that this is a sin rather than say okay I want to feel really sorry about the thing to show that I'm really sorry for this turn to Jesus in faith and say God forgive me. I know I've sinned. Help me, help me to truly grieve over my sins, but know that you're not forgiven because of the extent of your grief. Your forgiven because the extent of Christ work for you Jimmy. Thank you Jimmy for your question in a drill for your response.

By the way, you can always call us with your questions at 833-843-2673 you want to spell it out. It's 833 the court let's go to war first call of the day in Ohio I heard� By terrible trying to figure out how to interpret the story of Moses becomes a survey and very broad outreach to help preserve reporting prevails, but I'm trying to figure out what power girl friends were able to accomplish that goal. Thank you. Anyway, thank you for that question. The text you're referring to is in the book of Exodus chapter 7 and verse 10 says Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent and Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers and they the magicians of Egypt also did the same by their secret arts for each man cast down his staff and they became serpents, but Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs still Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he would not listen to them as the Lord had said. I think the first thing is in Scripture. One of the things that we see weight is that there are demonic forces that can even perform great signs and miracles that could be what's happening here in Exodus chapter 7 and this could be the work of the evil one assertive demonic miracle. Or it could be just a complete hoax and we were not really told but I am willing to say on the basis of Scripture that there are serious supernatural forces of evil that are at work in the world today. Mark 1322 through 23 sets for false Christ's and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible. The elect be on guard. I have told you all things beforehand. I think also if that really terrifying passage in Matthew chapter 7 where Jesus is talking about the false teachers and he says these false teachers. These false prophets are going to come to me on the day of judgment and they're going to say, Lord, Lord, didn't we perform many miracles in your name, and cast out demons in your name do all sorts of things the Lord is good to say to them, depart from me. I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness is also that story in the book of acts where there's this woman who is possessed by a spirit of divination were told and she's following around the disciples and she thinking of these men are servants of the most high God your member what happens the disciples. After a while, in acts chapter 16 it says that they became frustrated with what she was doing and they cast the demon out of her and were told that her masters were upset because she brought them much profit by fortune-telling what that sounds like to me as she was actually there was some sort of evil spirit at work in her that was able to work miraculous powers that had me the gift of foresight in some way that caused her to have this lucrative business. And yet we know that it was not of the Lord. And so I think there are a few ways that understand this one. It's either just a hoax and we do see those kinds of things all over the place today, but to there truly are evil forces at work today and that's why we as Christians have to be discerning the sign of a work of God is not necessarily that miracles are taking place signs and wonders those kinds of things can be replicated.

There can be no counterfeit miracles that we see in week so we have to be careful that the real sign that the spirit of God is present somewhere. Is love the fruit of the spirit. The truth of God's word. We have to be careful. We are chasing miracle signs and wonders because the devil he can have a field day with that he can.

He can counterfeit that can lead people astray.

We have to be rooted in the Scriptures and know that the true sign of God's Spirit and that the presence of God spirit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit drill of the fact that you pointed back to love and that if the spirits work is truly present, then it'll always be centered around love and centered around the truth of the gospel. We always need to evaluate anything that occurs through that lens unit. Can I just say something bill because a lot of times you brought those two things together really well there love and the truth of the gospel and a lot of times we separate those things we think, well, it's all about love and why we have to be about truth and discernment and knowledge with knowledge and understanding against love.

I was just reading this morning and in Philippians chapter 1 verse nine. Listen to what Paul said this would praise for the flip is my prayer is that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, there it is right there and we have these kinds of questions right. Love is is so important, but true love exists in knowledge and in all discernment, and so with a question like the one that we just received from weighted. It's important for us to have discernment as well, especially with the work of the evil one in the world today. Love without truth ends up being license. In many cases and so I'm so glad you are pointed that out. Great passage.

Remember from Philippians.

This is core Christianity. The radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day and it really one letter listers know about a very special opportunity. Yeah, Bill.

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I shared a story a few days ago about a guy who contacted me in England who's been listening the core radio program and wants to be baptized me just hear the stories and I'm so grateful to the Lord and we couldn't do it without your help. And so, with your monthly donation of $25 or more. You can be a part of the team is making it possible for us to answer these questions and share the core truth of the Christian faith. Please head over core, Christianity.com/inner core. To learn more or give us a call at 833. The core thanks Israel that number again is 1833. The core 1-833-843-2673. Give us a call anytime and ask about the inner core drill we had an email coming from Wayne and he asked this question, what will heaven be like that's a great question and I'm sure a lot of us with.

You know the present circumstances are just daydreaming about having you know, like a Lord you know me or not they come now. Well a few things I like to think of heaven as a party with the best company in the best food and I think that's one of the pictures that we did in Scripture in Isaiah chapter 25 628. Listen to what it says on this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples of the feast of rich food, a feast of well aged wine of rich food, full of marrow cells are you talking about the bone in stakes right there you know of aged wine well refined and he will swallow up on this mountain, the covering that is cast over all peoples.

The veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.

And the reproach of his people.

He will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken man.

II don't know about you Wayne, but when I read that text even just now I made it just fills my heart with longing not just that the picture of the, the eternal party but the comfort that we are going to receive from the Lord in the presence of the Lord, destroying death fully and finally wiping away all of our tears you think about the suffering. This everywhere around us right now. The things that we see because of the coronavirus meet.

You had the story just not long ago about that young black man going for a jog and getting shot in broad daylight.

The pain the anger, the grief we need the Lord to wipe away our tears. We need the Lord to swallow up death that we know that ultimately Jesus conquered death and his resurrection from the dead were waiting for it for the final day, the consummation the coming of the Lord when we are all in the presence of the Lord. When this is Isaiah 25 628 is fully fulfilled. That's heaven, it's rest, eternal rest, it's eternal peace its eternal joy in the presence of the people of God.

I think of what Matthew eight chapter 11 says I tell you, Jesus is speaking. Many will come from East and West and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven there is again having depicted is this great banquet.

You know what this with this rich meal set before us, and with the best company reclining at the table with Abraham, with Isaac with Jacob with our loved ones in the Lord who have gone before us and you know the best thing about having Wayne it's that working to be in the presence of the Lord. I love the way Asaph, the psalmist put in Psalms chapter 73 of this is just so good. You know it's an interesting song you want to sit down and read it. If you have some time today, but he really is the beginning of the Psalm is lamenting because it seems like the wicked prosper while the righteous or just beat down all day long.

How come the wicked are rich in and grow fat through all the things that they have wall. Those who follow God. It just seems at times like were being chastised. Then he says toward the end of the Psalm as he enters the temple of the Lord. Nevertheless, Psalm 73 verse 23 I am continually with you, you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel and afterword you will receive me to glory, whom have I in heaven, but you and on earth.

There is nothing I desire besides you my flesh in my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Behold those were far from you shall perish. You put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you but for me it is good to be near God. I have made the Lord God, my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Asaph says God whom have I in heaven but you. I long for you, Lord, you are my portion and that's the best thing about having Wayne. It's not just the eternal feast fitting with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in our in our loved ones in the Lord. If that were to be there with Jesus worshiping him and growing in our love and knowledge of him. Even there for all eternity. What a great picture you painted for all of us, Israel.

Thank you. By the way, if you like to call us with your question. Here's the phone number it's 1-833-843-2673 or you can spell it out on your phone, 833 the core in our country is going through such a difficult time right now and having a short confidence in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross on our behalf is critical and here core Christianity.

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We really appreciate that's truly what it's all about you an email question that came in from Selena a drill. She says my 14-year-old's father is a member of a church that believes in strict adherence to the Old Testament laws, and I believe discounts the gospel and the work that Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.

I find myself on the times listening to your show or studying Scripture, with the goal of gaining an understanding of how my son's father's church has it all wrong and perhaps committing heresy in order to know how to respond to my son when he's conflicted by the two very different teachings of our church and his father's church.

Is it wrong for me to do this.

Selena thank you for your question and I'm sure it grieves you. I know it grieves me when people are in churches that don't get the gospel right and the reason it's so grievous is because that kind of church that kind of teaching that confuses the law and the gospel that puts people under the burden of the law. It crushes it kills.

Now what I would say to you sisters.

We have to be careful as followers of Jesus that were not always looking for the problems in other Christians and in other churches. Now I'm not saying that you're doing this necessarily right, but I do know that this is this is something that is easy for believers to fall into where you know we feel like we get it all right and the real problem is out there that church over there.

It's the people that worship Jesus this way or even pointing the finger outside at broader society and I think one of the things God calls us to his always to look within and say Lord, how can I continue to grow in humility and love, and love for those people over there who maybe don't get it right, or maybe think differently than I do so that I might be able graciously in a way that would be honoring to you to encourage them and to bring the truth of your word. The truth of your gospel to bear. In this situation. I recognized especially for you with family in particular, your son, and the fear that potentially he might be influenced by some of the stuff and I'm you think it's a really important question and you can't read the New Testament without recognizing that I mean an entire book of the New Testament, the book of Galatians was written concerning this very thing we don't need to go back under the law. The law, here's what the law did the Mosaic covenant. It pointed us forward to Jesus. It showed us that we were sinners we Put people back under the law is if they could keep in order to find favor with God. If you try to do that. What could happen is you just to be crushed. One book that I would encourage you to study do a deep dive in the book of Galatians read it because it over and over, Paul talks about this. This distinction between the law and the gospel now is not that God's law is bad. God's law is actually a good thing it reveals to us God's will for his people is goodwill for his people. The problem is we break God's law, you and I don't perfectly keep it and when churches suggest to people when pastors teach or suggest to people that the way they're going to find favor with God is by obeying God's law in fulfilling certain rules. What ends up happening is one of two things. One, we either grow self-righteous because we think that we've actually obeyed them in the only way we can think that we've actually obeyed them is by having an elevated view of ourselves or having a low view of God's law.

If that's not happening in. And sometimes you get both will happen is the pendulum will shift and the other thing will happen is you just be crushed with guilt with fear. With this continual sense of condemnation. It is such a unimportant question. You don't want to embrace a theology that leads to self-righteousness or to a continual sense of brokenness and I'm just condemned in and God hates me and I'm rejected. Instead, we need to understand the gospel and you're right for you, for your son, even for your asked it of the gospel is the most important thing and it's not that God accepts us because we've adhered to the Mosaic law.

It's because through faith in Jesus Christ. He has forgiven us. Even though we've broken his law and now free from our sins we can follow him, and by the spirit embrace his good law and live in a way that's honoring out of joy and gratitude for what Jesus is done. Thank you for your questions.

We may the Lord bless you as you continue to study.

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