The Strand Study Bible

Written From Philippi During Paul’s Third Missionary Journey II CORINTHIANS how has he done so far? Paul admonishes us to look ahead to a better day when our temporal questions will be eternally answered. Application – In order to “maintain” the eternal perspective concerning this one truth we are going to have to get some answers every now and then from God (Mt 16:13-17), just to remind us that the rest of the answers are still to come. 6. Heaven is a place of joy (Lk 15:3-7,10 and Mt 25:21) If Heaven is a place of joy (and it is - Revelation 21 Subject Head ) and we are headed there for all eternity (and we are), why are we looking for happiness here ? According to the Bible, this life is but a drop in the bucket compared to eternity. Paul said it was “ but for a moment .” Christ admonishes us to focus on where we are headed, not where we are. We need to stop fussing about our need for happiness and start focusing on our need for joy. Whereas happiness (which is based upon “happenings”) is temporal, joy (which is based upon the Lord - Neh 8:14-17) is eternal. Application – In order to “maintain” the eternal perspective concerning this one truth we must stop complaining about our temporal journey, which takes our mind off the eternal joy that is ours to come, and start experiencing the joy that is ours to come ( Acts 16: 16- 25 ). 7. Heaven is the home of God (II Cor 12:1-5) If Heaven is the home of God (and it is) and we are headed there for all eternity (and we are), why aren’t we spending more time with Him here ? If we are going to spend the majority of our existence in the presence of the One who created us, shouldn’t we be spending as much time as we can with Him here? According to John 4:23-24, God longs to have a relationship with us here and now. He wants to get to know us before we enter eternity. Why? Because He really does care about our status throughout eternity (Lk 19:11-26, Mt 25:14-30 and Rev 2:25-29 & 3:11-13). As believers, our future joy will be dependent upon our relationship with God here and now ( Ezk 3: 17- 20 , Mt 20:20-23 and II Cor 5:10-11 ). Application – In order to “maintain” the eternal perspective concerning this one truth we must learn to get to know God now (Exo 32:1-2,7-19). What Heaven Thinks In order to understand what Heaven thinks, one must understand the parables (See - THE PARABLES OF JESUS CHRIST under BIBLE HELPS ) NOTE - According to Matthew 13:34-35, parables are heavenly truths wrapped in earthly stories that God has been waiting to share with mankind since before the world began. Sadly, however, Christians today seem to have a rather weakened interest in eternal things. Due to a self-absorbed, self-esteeming, materialistic approach to the Christian life, many Christians today have a minimalist understanding of the wonders of Heaven and thus the eternal perspective. 5:1 Paul speaks of the human body as an “earthly tent” ( earthly house of this tabernacle ), a home not built to last. David Jeremiah in My Heart’s Desire notes: What is the significance of a tent? It’s temporary and perishable, of course–but it’s also designed for armies and people on the move. 9 5:10-11 Note the words “ good or bad. ” It appears in Scripture that Christians will receive either an A ( good ) or an F ( bad ) at the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST . There appears to be no C’s given out in Heaven ( Mt 5:19a and I Cor 3:14 ), and for good reason. God doesn’t grade on a curve because He’s already given us all the answers as to how to enjoy Heaven. There is going to be one of two reactions for the Christian at the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST : 1. One of regret due to rewards lost (Ezk 3:20 & 18:24, Mt 5:19, I Cor 3:13-17 and Rev 2:25-29 & 3:11-13) Erwin W. Lutzer in Your Eternal Reward notes: That phrase, “whether good or bad,” rids us of the cherished hope that our failures can never return to haunt us. 10 According to parables #20 (Lk 12:42-48), #33 (Lk 19:11-26), and #40 (Mt 25:14-30), Christians who fail to serve Jesus and finish their race down here will not only lose any reward they might have gained (Ezk 3:20 & Rev 3:11), not only lose the right to have ruled and reigned with Jesus during the Millennium (Rev 2:26), not only weep for up to a 1,000-years after the return of Jesus ( I Cor 3:15 a,b and Rev 21:4 ), but they will also be made to feel like they have been through hell when Jesus is done with them at the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST ( Lk 12:46,47 , I Pet 4:17 and Heb 10:30-31). THE ADAGE IS TRUE: If we can’t live with ourselves down here, what makes us think we can live with ourselves up there ? 2. One of rejoicing due to rewards earned (Lk 6:35 & 14:12-14 and I Cor 3:8) According to the Bible, there are three prerequisites necessary for enjoying Heaven. We need to: * finish our race (Lk 12:42-49, Rev 2:26 , Ezk 3:20 and II Tim 2:12 & 4:6-8) * use our gift(s) ( Lk 19:11,17 and Mt 25:30 ) * have the right motive for why we do what we do for God ( I Sam 15: 1- 15 and I Cor 13:1-3) 1 Tarkowski, Ed. “ Stand and Comfort Newsletter ” Vol. 2. No. 13. velocity.net . May 31, 2009. . 2 Graham, Billy. Storm Warning , Nashville, TN, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1992 and 2010. Print. 3 Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity , NY, NY, Collier Books, 1960. Print. 1937

4 Winslow, Ola Elizabeth. Jonathan Edwards: Basic Writings , NY,NY, New American Library, 1966. Print. 5 Rice, John R. Bible Facts About Heaven , Murfreesboro, TN, Sword of the Lord Pub., 1940. Print. 6 “C. S. Lewis.” BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2014. 4 April 2014. . 7 Spurgeon, Charles H. Morning and Evening , April 25, morning reading 8 Don Piper and Cecil Murphey. 90 Minutes In Heaven . Grand Rapids, MI: Revell. 2004. Print. 9 Jeremiah, David. My Heart’s Desire , Nashville, TN, Integrity, 2002. Print. 10 Lutzer, Erwin W. Your Eternal Reward , Chicago, ILL, Moody Press, 1998. Print.