10 Things All Christians Should Know about Heaven

• Jennifer Slattery

Cancer had invaded her brain, radiation was stealing her energy, and her rapidly approaching death was shattering her hope. She needed to hear about heaven—not just that she was going there, but what it would be like. As her mental faculties and thus her world shrunk, she needed to build her anticipation for what lay ahead.

When life’s problems feel more than we can bear, our hope of paradise can give us strength. Here are 10 truths about heaven that we can hold on to:

1. Heaven is a physical place.

Many people hold varying beliefs regarding the afterlife. Some deny it exists. Others feel there are stages one goes through before reaching a certain level of paradise. Still others view heaven as a place filled with angels and everything spiritual but nothing material. 

Scripture, however, reveals an actual place with a specific location. Speaking of heaven, Jesus told His disciples He was leaving to prepare a place for them. The apostle Peter wrote about “the new heaven and Earth” God would create, which, according to Revelations, contains physical things such as horses, trees, a temple, and a glorious city—the New Jerusalem (Rev. 12:22, Rev. 15:8, Rev. 19:14, Rev. 22:2).

2. Heaven is a place of inexplicable joy.

Imagine a place free of pain, sorrow, sickness, and sin. Imagine having nothing to fear—not rejection, failure, loss, or death. Imagine experiencing perfect relational intimacy with God and others. No more hiding, isolating, misunderstandings, or misinterpretations. Nothing but love and unity—the deep community our hearts long for. 

In heaven, with all of our deepest needs met and unhindered, constant access to our Savior, we’ll discover—and live in—the true source of joy, Jesus Christ, and the pleasures He grants will be eternal. 

3. In heaven, we'll be surrounded by God.

Before leaving Earth, Jesus prayed that the disciples would be one, just as He and the Father are one, “just as You,” speaking of the Father, “are in Me and I am in You… I in them and you in me.” This indwelling of the Father, Holy Spirit, and the Son speaks of intimacy, an intimacy that will only be deepened in heaven where God Himself dwells. 

In heaven, God’s Spirit will surround us in a way our earthly minds can’t comprehend.

4. Heaven has an entry fee.

God longs to remain eternally in relationship with us. But we’re a stubborn, rebellious species, bent toward self-destruction. Daily, we fight the very hands that formed us and choose our way over His. Scripture calls this sin, and our sin separates us from God. 

But God loved us too much to leave us in our self-imposed misery. In Jesus Christ, He bridged the gap between us and Himself, and between life and death. To cross that bridge and gain our “get into heaven free” card, all we have to do is believe because, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, NIV). 

5. We'll have physical bodies.

According to Hollywood, heaven is filled with winged, ghost-like people, but this isn’t what Scripture teaches. Jesus is the “firstborn of the dead” (Rev. 1:4) and “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20). In Ancient Greece, first fruits referred to an early sampling of a crop that revealed the crop to come. Paul’s analogy, then, assures us that Christ provided tangible evidence of what our resurrected bodies will be like. 

When Jesus resurrected, He had a physical body that the disciples were able to see and touch, and He shared a meal with them (John 20:27, 21:15). Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 5, Paul tells us, when our earthly bodies are destroyed, we’ll receive an eternal body and won’t “be found naked” (v. 1-4).

6. Believers enter immediately upon death.

According to the Bible, once we die, we go, immediately, to one of two places—heaven, where we’ll remain with Christ forever; or hell, where we’ll spend eternity separated from Him. 

In Hebrews 9:27, Paul said we die once and then face judgment, and in 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23 he says he longs to die to be with Christ, verifying the immediacy of heaven upon death. Furthermore, Jesus promised the criminal on the cross next to Him that he would be with Him, that day, in paradise (Luke 23:43). 

7. Heaven is eternal.

Most of us have no problem believing heaven is eternal. This truth, reiterated throughout Scripture, appeals to our heartfelt longings—our desire that Christ will, one day, free us from this sin-filled world of pain, sickness, and death. 

Many of us, however, struggle with the flipside to this, illustrated in Matthew 25:46: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” 

Scripture teaches both destinations are eternal, and where we end up depends entirely on whether or not we believe that God’s Son is our Savior. 

8. *Heaven is incredibly diverse.*

Throughout Scripture, God welcomed people from all nations under one condition—that they follow Him. Through Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish nation, God said He’d bless all nations. (Gen. 22:18). In Romans 9:7-8, Paul says nation of Israel, which arose from Abraham’s descendants, represents all who believe in God. 

If you’ve ever attended a multicultural worship service, you caught a glimpse of the beauty that awaits us in heaven where a “great multitude… from every nation, tribe, people, and language” will worship together (Rev. 7:9, NIV). 

9. We'll do more than sing.

When our daughter was young, she said if in heaven all she did was sing, she didn’t want to go. I imagine some of you agree. Though abiding in God’s presence will be sure to fill our hearts with praise, music won’t be our only expression. According to Romans 12:1, true worship involves living as God desires. 

God instituted work before sin, when His creation was still “good.” And Jesus told His disciples they would one day serve with Him. Scholars also believe verses speaking of the vastness of God and His treasures of wisdom (Col. 2:3,  Eph. 3:18-19) imply a storehouse of knowledge waiting for us to discover. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume we’ll each have fulfilling roles and the pleasure of continual learning. 

10. We'll experience final victory over sin.

Christ’s death on the cross broke the power of sin and death, freeing us to live as He desires. And yet, we live in a broken world and have developed negative thought and behavior patterns that keep us from yielding, fully and consistently to the Holy Spirit. In heaven, however, we will finally experience full freedom from sin and will have the ability to live, think, and love as God desires.

How Should Christians Respond to Illegal Immigration?

This article is adapted from the eBook, Thinking Biblically about Immigrants and Immigration Reform from the Evangelical Immigration Table. Click here for your free copy.

For many Christians, the general idea that churches and individual Christians should seek to love, welcome and share the gospel with immigrants is uncontroversial, but the issue becomes much more difficult when considering how to respond to immigrants who are in the country illegally.

While most immigrants are in compliance with U.S. law, a significant minority — likely somewhere between 10.7 million and 12 million, based on nonpartisan and governmental estimates — are not present in the United States lawfully. Just over half of those individuals crossed a border illegally, while an estimated 4.5 million (including two-thirds of those who have arrived since 2014) entered lawfully on temporary visas, but overstayed their visas (Robert Warren and Donald Kerwin, “The 2,000 Mile Wall in Search of a Purpose: Since 2007 Visa Overstayers Have Outnumbered Undocumented Border Crossers by Half a Million,” Journal on Migration and Human Security, 2017).

Is it Possible to be Compassionate and Still Uphold the Law?

Christians seeking to be faithful to the Scriptures want to show kindness and compassion to these individuals but are also are bound to respect the law. Is it possible to do both?

Some people’s response to this challenge has been to advocate for “amnesty.” People mean different things by that term, but amnesty is a general forgiveness of an offense; it comes from the same root word as amnesia, forgetting that the law was violated in the first place. In the context of addressing the millions of immigrants in the U.S. today without legal status, it would basically mean pretending that their violation of law had not happened and offering them citizenship.

Christians Should Not Condone Violation of the Law

Christians can and should understand the complex reasons that people have violated immigration laws, whether they did so by crossing the border without documents or overstaying a temporary visa. But we should not condone the violation of law, because this causes the law to lose its meaning. Scripture makes clear that the rule of law is important: Romans 13 states that God has ordained government, and that every person “should be subject to the governing authorities” which God has ordained. Importantly, this chapter goes on to explain the appropriate role of government: serving the common good, maintaining order and punishing wrongdoing (Romans 13:1-4).  

Christians Should Acknowledge Our Laws Need Reform

Romans 13 does not signify that every government or every law is necessarily good. There are clear examples in the Bible when laws were not good, such as when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were told to worship an idol (Daniel 3:1-7), when the Hebrew midwives were told to kill newborn boys (Exodus 1:15-17) or even when the Roman government condemned Jesus to crucifixion (Matthew 27:11-26). The Apostle Peter rightly observed that “We must obey God rather than human beings” (Acts 5:29).

While our immigration system isn’t as unjust as Nebuchadnezzar's decree about idol worship, most Americans across a broad range of political perspectives agree that our immigration policies are not functioning well and are in desperate need of reform. In a democratic form of government, where government is of, by and for the people, part of being “subject to the governing authorities” means actively involving ourselves in efforts to change laws that are unjust or even simply not functioning optimally.

We Need an Immigration Policy That Is Both Nimble but also Truly Enforceable

For one thing, our current immigration system makes it very difficult for all players to honor the rule of law at the same time. For decades, our government has often looked the other way as both immigrants in search of economic opportunity and employers in search of adequate labor have broken the law. In order to restore the rule of law, we need an immigration policy that is both nimble and truly enforceable, with a number of visas that is consistent with the needs of the U.S. labor market as well as with American values of keeping families together and of providing refuge to the persecuted.

Undocumented immigrants often choose to come to the U.S. illegally under very difficult circumstances, fleeing serious economic hardship or even persecution. However, except for those brought as minors or trafficked to the U.S. against their will, they still did knowingly break U.S. law. This is why amnesty is wrong: Amnesty communicates that the law doesn’t matter. Even when laws don’t work well, they shouldn’t simply be ignored — participants in a democratic society should work to change them. 

Working to Ensure the Integrity of the Immigration System Moving Forward

The best way forward — both to respect the law and to keep families together — is to have an earned legalization process, which includes the payment of a monetary fine as restitution for adults who willfully violated U.S. immigration laws. Of course, a criminal background check should also be a part of that process, and anyone convicted of a serious crime should be excluded and potentially deported. On the other hand, someone brought as a child to the U.S. did not make the decision to enter the country or overstay a visa unlawfully, and should not be penalized.

Most of the undocumented immigrants in U.S. churches are actually very eager to make things right, and they would be happy to pay a fine and meet other qualifications to eventually have the chance to be lawful permanent residents of the United States, a country most have come to love and see as their home. For many who have lived under both the fear and shame associated with their unlawful status for many years, the opportunity to earn legal status would feel akin to the biblical Year of Jubilee, a time of redemption, when debts were canceled (Leviticus 25:8-17).

If the law is truly to be respected, we should ensure the integrity of the U.S. immigration system going forward: That means doing everything possible to deter illegal immigration, including pursuing secure borders, but also facilitating legal immigration: not without limit, but in ways that meet the needs of the U.S. labor market, that keep families together and that allow the country to continue to serve as a place of refuge for some of the most vulnerable persecuted people in the world, consistent with the best of the history and values of the United States.

Finally, Christians Should Give Special Consideration to Those Fleeing Persecution

Another area where respecting the rule of law comes into play is honoring the nation’s laws that offer asylum to those who flee a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin. Decades ago, the U.S. actually turned away Jewish people fleeing the Nazi government in Germany. Many of them were ultimately returned and killed in the Holocaust (Bauman, Soerens and Smeir, Seeking Refuge, 167). In the years that followed, the U.S. joined many other nations in resolving that, when someone with a credible fear of being harmed reaches its shores or borders, that person should not be returned. That doesn’t mean that everyone who shows up should be admitted, but if we respect both the law and the dignity of each human person, it’s vital that everyone who professes a fear of persecution if returned is given a fair hearing and the chance to prove that qualification under the terms of U.S. law.

U.S. immigration laws are complicated, dated and often only partially enforced. To restore the rule of law, we must pursue reforms that reaffirm the importance of the law while also reflecting our values. 

Publication Date: July 30, 2019

5 Powerful Prayers for Protection in the Storms of Life

Our world is filled with events and situations that can cause great fear and anxiety. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and live imprisoned by fear. But that is not the way of God! We are promised in God’s Word that he is faithful and will protect us. God wants us to let go of fear and to live life to the fullest! (John 10:10)

Remember this promise from Scripture:

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

When you are overcome by worry, use these prayers for protection to remember who God is and the protection he has promised you.

1. A Prayer for Personal Protection

Father, I come to You today, bowing in my heart, asking for protection from the evil one. Lord, we are assailed moment by moment with images on television, the internet, books and newspapers that leave us vulnerable to sin of every kind. Surround us with Your divine hedge of protection. Encompass us round about with Your strength and Your might. Let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy. And may You shelter us, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:11-12)

Lord, I ask that You protect our minds. Father, the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6) O God, set our minds on You. Let us not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove what Your will is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2) Help us by the power of Your Spirit to think on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let our minds dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Strengthen us in the power of Your might, O God. Dress us in Your armor so that we can stand firm against the schemes of the devil. We know that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.(Ephesians 6:10-12)

You are our keeper, O Lord, the shade on our right hand. Protect us from all evil and keep our soul. Guard our going out and our coming in. From this time and forever. In Jesus' name, Amen. – by Lynn Cooke

2. A Prayer to Protect My Family

Lord, I pray Your emotional, physical, and spiritual protection over my kids (grandkids). Keep evil far from them, and help them to trust You as their refuge and strength. I pray You will guard their minds from harmful instruction, and grant them discernment to recognize truth. I pray You will make them strong and courageous in the presence of danger, recognizing that You have overcome and will set right all injustice and wrong one day. Help them to find rest in Your shadow, as they live in the spiritual shelter You provide for them. Let them know that the only safe place is in Jesus, and that their home on earth is only temporary.  - Ryan Duncan, Culture Editor at Crosswalk.com

3. A Prayer That My Family Will Know Your Love

Lord, I pray that my kids (grandkids) will develop an eternal perspective and purpose, not an earthly one.  Help them to see life–and every challenge–through Your eyes, eager and unafraid to share with others the good news of Jesus wherever they go. I pray that they will set their minds on things above, not just what’s going on here, and that they will be rooted and grounded in Your love. I pray they will come to understand the extent of Your own love for them–that it surpasses all the head knowledge they will acquire in school. I pray they will be filled up with You from morning ’til night. – Rebecca Barlow Jordan

4. "St. Patrick's Breastplate" Protective Prayer

Celtic monks used it to start their day.The hymn was several stanzas long, and the last two stanzas were especially memorable and moving:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

 

I bind unto myself the Name,

The strong Name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of Whom all nature hath creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

5. "Priestly Blessings" Prayer from Scripture

Numbers 6:22-27 is known as the “Priestly Blessing” or sometimes the “Aaronic Benediction.” There are seven requests made in this prayer.

The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: "’The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."' "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

1. The Lord bless you…

The word “bless” means to “provide favor or benefit.” Father, we pray that for our children. You are the Eternal God. Please place Your great kindness and advantage on those we love. May they be approved and favored by You.

2. and keep you… 

The Hebrew word “keep” means to “watch, guard, defend.” This is a prayer for protection. Father, my children are not perfect. They are going to make mistakes. But please watch over them and guard them again mistakes of youth that are unalterable. Please defend them against temptation. Protect them against Satan who desires to devour them.

3. the LORD make his face shine upon you…

This is a request for God’s presence.Father, as a parent I know that I can’t be with my children all the time, but You can. Just like they feel the warmth of the sun shining on them, please allow them to experience Your presence. Thank You for being with them wherever they go.

4. and be gracious to you… 

Grace is God’s undeserved favor. He gives us what we don’t deserve. Father, thank You for Your gift of grace. I pray that gift to be poured out on my children. Following that great gift of salvation, please show them your kindness and love in all the endeavors of their lives.

5. the Lord turn his face toward you… 

Here is a request for God’s fellowship.Father, thank You, that because of their trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in my children. Please walk with them in a powerful way. Enable them to submit to the Spirit’s control day by day and moment by moment.

6. and give you peace. 

The Hebrew word for peace used here is “shalom.” It means “completeness, wholeness, and contentment.” Lord, please calm my children’s fears; soothe their anxious souls. Keep them complete and whole in their thinking, emotions, desires, and actions.

7. So they will put my name on ___________ (the name of your child/children).

This is a request of identification. Lord, please place Your holy mark on my children. Set them apart to be used by You. I love them but You love them more. You love them with an everlasting love. May they represent You well on their earthly journey. And when their journey is completed, welcome them home to live forever with You.

(notes by Ron Moore, The Journey)