It is not uncommon to hear unbelievers scoff about heaven,
especially when they are told it is a prepared place for a prepared people
according to Bible teaching terms.
Precious few accept God's terms for immortality and the
new life in resurrection. They stumble at it, and their reaction is in the
cynical retort which goes something like this: "While you Christians are
pushing clouds around looking for one another, all us sinners will be having
a real good time down below!"
Very little is said in the Bible about heaven and the
new life in resurrection. We are led to believe that it will be so wonderful
that we would not be able to comprehend its glory even if it was fully described
for us now.
However, let us examine the subject with a few pertinent
questions:
Who will go? The teaching of tradition (which is not in
accord with Scripture) is that all saints of all dispensations will be included
in the first resurrection. A great number of believers find their theology
in hymn books. One such is titled, "When we all get to Heaven," But the Scriptures
teach that Heaven is the peculiar hope of the Body of Christ as taught in
Ephesians. Some believers will be raised for citizenship in the New Earth.
This will be their heaven. Others will have residence in the New Jerusalem
as their heaven.
When will it be? We believe that the members of the Dispensation
of the Mystery body will realize their hope first. Colossians 3:4. And this
will happen about the time that God reverses the decree of Acts 28:28. Then
God will also begin raising the dead...EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER. 1
Corinthians 15:23. This pretty well cancels out the idea of
one great general resurrection. Believers will realize their particular hope
in resurrection when their sphere of blessing is ready for habitation.
Why? Why does God bother to condescend to save and purify
through the cleansing blood of His Son poor, weak, and sinful humanity?
Eternity will reveal and unfold the answer best. But a good answer can be
found in Ephesians 1:12 THAT WE SHOULD BE TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY.
