Jesus us forever... so we can live forever

Hello, Bridge family. I hope you're well. I don’t think about Heaven as much as I should. How about you? I've taken Pastor Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven off my shelf a few times, but I haven’t finished it. It's not the definitive book, but what I’ve read offers interesting perspectives. This ties into our message this week, which examines what the Bible says about Heaven.


Perhaps you’re a Heaven enthusiast. As I mentioned earlier, I’m not. I look forward to going there, but I haven’t studied it in detail, so I’m unsure how many questions I could answer about Heaven. That makes me wonder whether our discussion might raise questions in our kids’ minds. If you’re like me, you might need some help, so I researched a little and, with input from Pastor Alcorn, I’d like to share a few thoughts that could be helpful, just in case you’re asked.


In Heaven, we will have physical bodies; we are not ghosts or angels. The disciples see a living, eating Jesus after the resurrection (Luke 24:39, 42-43). John says we will resemble Jesus when He returns (1 John 3:2). The best part is, upon His return, we will have better human bodies to work, eat, play, and worship on a new earth.


In Heaven, we will know people. Going to Heaven isn’t like going to a new school. If you think about it, the disciples recognized Jesus, and, like them, we may recognize family, friends, or even unfamiliar people. Since Peter, John, and James recognized Moses and Elijah at the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:5), I doubt there will be a need for name tags in Heaven.


Heaven won’t be boring. It’s not just harp-playing on clouds. We will feast with Jesus on the new earth. Isaiah 25:6 says the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast. When I hear 'feast,' I think of a party. We will laugh, rejoice with Jesus, and worship Him. How much better could it get? The Bible also teaches that we will serve Jesus (Rev 22:3). Since the curse is lifted, we won’t toil at our jobs. Our service will be an exciting, surprising adventure. God desires the best for us, so how could our work ever be dull?


Lastly, will there be pets in Heaven? I don’t know, but I lean toward the possibility that there might be pets in Heaven. Revelation depicts Jesus riding a white horse (Rev 19:11), so I leave that door open in my mind that there might be animals in Heaven. Could you imagine having a pet lion?


I think after this message, I am going to start digging into Heaven a little more. I believe life would be a whole lot better if I cast my eyes on the Kingdom of Heaven more often. Hopefully, you and your family will too.


Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a great chance to share the Bible. Together, explore its stories, discussing how they apply to daily life, and fostering deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless, and I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday.


Pastor Bob