In Paradise

INTRODUCTION

Make no mistake about it. When Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise,” He meant Heaven. He is not talking about purgatory, and He is not talking about nirvana. Throughout human history there has been a lot written about the possibility of a paradise on earth. The Garden of Eden is the only paradise this earth has ever known and the only one it will ever know. There can be no paradise where fallen man lives. But that does not keep us from dreaming of paradise. And there is a paradise awaiting every child of God.

God’s children need to know something about the place where they will spend their eternity, and there is a lot we may know about it. What we actually know is what God has revealed in His Word. In order to know the truth we must study God’s Word. In order to avoid being confused by false doctrines, we must study God’s Word.

I. WE MUST ACCEPT GOD’S WORD AS OUR AUTHORITY ON HEAVEN.

A. God Reveals All We Need to Know About Heaven, 1 Cor. 2:9-10.

Our King, Jesus, gives us a special invitation, Matt. 25:34. Jesus reveals what we need to know about Heaven, Rev. 21:1-8.

B. It Is a Sin to Demand to Know More Than The Scripture Reveals, Deut. 29:29.

God knows the secret things. What He reveals sets the boundaries for our curiosity and exploration.

II. GOD TEACHES THAT HEAVEN REALLY IS PARADISE, LUKE 23:43.

A. Heaven Is Where Our Treasures Are, Matt. 6:20.

That is where our inheritance is, Rev. 21:7. All you can possess absolutely is in Heaven.

B. Heaven Is a Place of Perfect Pleasure, Ps. 16:11.

There will be no suffering or sorrow in Heaven. There will be no boredom in Heaven.

As a child my birthday party caused mixed emotions, happiness in having family and friends there, sadness in knowing that they would soon be leaving and the next day we would be going to the field to chop cotton - and we would be in the field until late Fall. There is no downside to Heaven.

C. Heaven Is Precious.

That’s where our Father is, Matt. 6:9.

That’s where Jesus is, Heb. 9:24.

That’s where our brothers and sisters in Christ are, Heb. 12:23.

That’s where our inheritance is, 1 Peter. 1:4.

That’s where our citizenship is, Phil. 3:20.

D. There Is Little Wonder So Many Believers Long for Heaven.

Joni Eareckson Tada longs for Heaven.

John Quincy Adams longed for Heaven.

There is a story about John Quincy Adams, who when late in his life a friend asked how he was doing replied, “John Quincy Adams is well, sir, very well. The house in which he has been living is dilapidated and old, and he has received word from its maker that he must vacate soon. But John Quincy Adams is well, sir, very well.”

CONCLUSION