LESSONS ON HEAVEN ( PART 7 ) | IS HEAVEN A PLACE OR THE PRESENCE OF JESUS?

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3213

LESSONS ON HEAVEN ( PART 7 )

IS HEAVEN A PLACE OR THE PRESENCE OF JESUS?

The danger of teaching on Heaven is to over-emphasize it as a PLACE - so that some believers think that their life goal is to make it there " by hook or by crook ".

But how did Jesus relate to Heaven?

1. Forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus entered Heaven - and those who subscribe to the Rapture say He will remain there until the Rapture (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess.4:16-17 ).

2. Before His crucifixion, He had told His disciples that He would return to Heaven to prepare an eternal home for those who believed in Him. He added:  "And if I go and prepare a PLACE for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" ( John 14:1-3 ).

Abba Father, Jesus is the centerpiece of Heaven. All Heaven revolves around Him. We will see, experience, and understand in Heaven all of the glory and majesty of Christ. 

In short, we are going to be with a PERSON as much as we are going to live in a PLACE. The presence of Christ is what makes Heaven. As the Lamb of God, He "is the light thereof" (Revelation 21:23 ). For perfect fellowship with You - through Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit - is the very essence of Heaven.