Excerpts from "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn

Do you ever wonder what we will look like in heaven?  Some thoughts that people have is that we will be like ghosts, or we will be like angels just floating on clouds, we will not have bodies.  The Bible never mentions any of these above thoughts and Randy Alcorn has explained it so clearly of anyone I've ever read explain it in his book of "Heaven".  Here are some excerpts from "Heaven", Chapter 11.

(Disclaimer:  I, Deb Paradis, am not a theologian.  There may be things in this book that you do not agree with and that is ok as long as it is the author's opinion and not the scripture he has quoted from the Bible.  God knows the WHOLE plan as he created us.  We see glimpses of it in scripture and I believe that all scripture is true with any errors.  Whether you agree with someones interpretation of the scripture is for you to work out as you study the Word.)

"Wishful thinking is not the reason why, deep in our hearts, we desire a resurrected life on a resurrected Earth instead of a disembodied existence in a spiritual realm.  Rather, it is precisely because God intends for us to be raised to new life on the New Earth that we desire it.  It is God who created us to desire what we are made for.  It is God who 'set eternity in the hearts of men'  (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  It is God who designed us to live on Earth and to desire the earthly life.  And it is our bodily resurrection that will allow us to return to an earthly life--this time freed from sin and the Curse.
 
Conversion (accepting Christ as your personal Savior) does not mean eliminating the old but transforming it.  Despite the radical changes that occur through salvation, death, and resurrection, we remain who we are.  We have the same history, appearance, memory, interests, and skills.  This is the principle of redemptive continuity.  God will not scrap his original creation and start over.  Instead, he will take his fallen, corrupted children and restore, refresh, and renew us to our original design.
 
The empty tomb is the ultimate proof that Christ's resurrection body was the same body that died on the cross.  If resurrection meant the creation of a new body, Christ's original body would have remained in the tomb.  When Jesus said to his disciples after his resurrection, 'It is I myself',' he was emphasizing to them that he was the same person--in spirit and body--who had gone to the cross (Luke 24:39).  His disciples saw the marks of his crucifixion, unmistable evidence that this was the same body.
 
Not only do we know what our present bodies are like, we also have an example in Scripture of what a resurrection body is like.  We're told a great deal about Christ's resurrected body, and we're told that our bodies will be like his.
 
The Lord Jesus Christ . . . will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.  (Philippians 3:20-21)
 
Beloved we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2, RSV)
 
And just as we have borne the likeness of the eartly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:49)
 
The difference between Adam and Christ is not that one was a physical being and other wasn't.  It was that Adam was under sin and the Curse, an Christ was untouched by sin and the Curse.  Jesus was and is a human being, 'in every respect like us' (Hebrews 2:17, NLT), except with respect to sin.
 
Though Jesus in his resurrected body proclaimed,'I am not a ghost' (Luke 24:39, NLT), countless Christians think they will be ghosts in the eternal Heaven.  I know this because I've talked with many of them.  They think they'll be disembodied spirits, or wraiths.  The magnificent, cosmos-shaking victory of Christ's resurrection--escapes them.  If Jesus had been a ghost, if we would be ghosts, then redemption wouldn't have been accomplished.
 
Jesus walked the earth in his resurrection body for forty days, showing us how we would live as resurrected human beings.  In effect, he also demonstrated where we would live as resurrected human beings--on Earth.  Christ's resurrection body was suited for life on Earth, not primarily life in the intermediate Heaven.  As Jesus was raised to come back to live on Earth, so we will be raised to come back to live on Earth (1 Thessalonians 4:14; Revelation 21:1-3)."
 
Quote by Bruce Milne, "The Jesus who says, 'Touch me and see; a ghost does hot have flesh and bones, as you see I have,'...this is the Jesus who draws back the curtain on the heavenly life and shows us what it will be like: embodied!"

Please feel free to comment or ask questions.  I like hearing what our class and others have to say.  Have a great day!, Deb
 

Romans 5a

“Results of Justification by Faith”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Romans 5:1-11

As we open this chapter of Romans, we make a change also in the tone of the conversation. While the first portion of Romans has been a very tense at times courtroom scene with evidence being presented in a logical and systematic way, now we take a breath and summarize what has been presented. It won’t take long for the tone to pick right back up in chapter 6, but for now we enjoy a moment of inventory and reflection as to the results of the evidences presented thus far.

I.                    The War Is Over!    Romans 5:1

a.       While it may not immediately come to your mind as you have considered Romans 1:18 - 3:20, the scene has been a battlefield. The Gospel was introduced in the 1^st 17 verses of chapter 1 to give us the antidote to the poison and then through 3:20 we are introduced to the poison itself. The battlefield picture has not been discussed thus far, but as we consider a person in opposition to the Gospel (the sinner, whether Jew or Gentile) there is clearly a war going on between God and the sinner.

b.      Beginning in 3:21, we see the antidote being introduced again in the doctrine that we refer to as “justification by faith”. We see that we are justified, declared to be in right standing before God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Nothing else will or could complete this transaction. In light of this truth, there is absolutely no room for boasting on our part.

c.       In chapter 4, we are given an example that will allow anyone that is listening to see this transaction in action. The example of Abraham is offered. As the physical patriarch of the Jewish nation, the Jews could have thought they had the “inside track” on right standing with God. They could have been led to believe that their obedience offered a powerful testimony that God would need to look at as He considered their standing with Him. But instead, chapter 4 cleans up any doubt that their physical “father” was declared righteous before God based on his faith, not his work. In fact, it is in this chapter that we find Abraham not only being recognized as the physical patriarch of the Jewish nation. He is also more importantly recognized as the “spiritual father” of all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile.

d.      But as chapter 5 opens, we see all of this warring and fighting summarized for our reading enjoyment. “Therefore”, or in light of what we have already considered, and “having been justified by faith” as faith that this transaction made at the Cross is believed, we have peace with God. This justification is a one-time legal declaration that has continuing results!

e.       What is the cause of this war’s end? Verse 1 tells us that it is Jesus, not our faith (the vehicle to the war’s end). Remember that Jesus’ death on the Cross made it possible for God’s justice to be satisfied and His grace revealed at the same time.

f.        Peace with God is made!! This is a truth that not only needs to be taught, but it needs to be proclaimed!! The result of justification by faith is peace with God. What a joyous truth! This peace is not just some “good feeling”. It is a positional truth. The result of justification is that the sinner’s war with God is ended forever. This end to the conflict is referred to as reconciliation with God, as we will see again in Vs. 10.

II.                 Some “Because of Jesus” Results    Romans 5:2-5

a.       Verse 2 offers another result of justification: ACCESS. Can you imagine this awesome truth? What was considered absolutely unthinkable to the Jew is now ours as a result of justification. There is now available to the one who is in right standing with God access to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. It is like He is saying, “Rich Paradis is with Me”. This truth has not only “now” ramifications, but “later” as well. We (note the change to the pronoun “we” from the pronouns “you” and “they” in the previous chapters; 75 to 15 in usage) not only have access to God now, but we will have access to Him in the Kingdom to come as a result of justification. The word “hope” as it is used here contains no chance or possibility of fulfillment. It is a rock-solid certainty.

b.      Verse 3 now shares that because of this certainty, we can face troubles and tribulation with a different mindset than the one without hope in Christ. Instead of looking at how our tough times are going to “break us”, we can look at how these same times can “build us”. This kind of perspective on tough times is indeed strange in the world that we live in.

                                                               i.      What are the possible witnessing opportunities that can come from this truth?

                                                             ii.      What does this truth have to say about our “new” reaction to troubles as opposed to our previous reactions?

c.       Look at what is built in us as a result of the truth of justification from Verses 3b-5:

                                                               i.      Perseverance – Patience, endurance, the ability to stand the tremendous pressure without breaking.

                                                             ii.      Character – Perhaps a better translation would be “proven character”. It is the idea of being “proven” by the pressures that are exerted against it. It is “dokimos” in the Greek language, that which has been tested and approved.

                                                            iii.      Hope – Again, this hope is not an “I hope so”, denoting some concern or wonder regarding the truth, but an “I do know” that demonstrates full certainty. This kind of hope does not disappoint, because it is the provision of God through the Holy Spirit who is in each of us who are saved. Some interesting truths are revealed here:

1.      If you have been justified by faith, you have received the Holy Spirit.

2.      The giving of the Holy Spirit is connected with justification.

3.      The Holy Spirit bears witness to the believer’s spirit that God loves him or her.

III.               Christ Took Our Place    Romans 5:6-8

a.       From the beginning of Verse 6, we have an analysis of our position and Christ’s incredible sacrifice. The opening statement tells it all; without Christ we are “helpless” and “without strength”. We are sentenced to die and we can’t do a thing about it. Unregenerate sinners are powerless to affect their own cause.  The solution? “In due time” or “At the right time”, Christ died for those that were unable to help themselves.

b.      Verse 7 sets up one of the most powerful verses in the Bible. It says that it would be a rare thing to find a person ready to die for an upright (righteous) man, but conceivably you might find someone easier to die for a good man. Evidently, the “good man” is at a higher plane than the “righteous man”. But in either case, the scene is similar. It would be very difficult to find someone to die for either of these men.

c.       But in Verse 8, we see a brilliant contrast to the situation noted in the previous verse. This verse is without question one of my favorites. Again we see the word “but”, denoting contrast. In contrast to the situation noted in the previous verse, God demonstrated His great love. And whom did He demonstrate it towards? Those that were still sinners! We’re not talking about a righteous man or a good man (of which there are none!). We’re talking about SINNERS! Those that are shaking their fist at God and going about their own plans instead of embracing the plan of God. And how did He demonstrate this love? Christ died for those SINNERS! And if you note the last word of verse 8, those sinners are US!

IV.              Some More “Because of Jesus” Results    Romans 5:9-11

a.       In addition to this incredible truth of Christ dying for us, we now see another short list of results of His death and our justification by faith. As if anything could possibly be more amazing that what we have already heard, let’s consider a few more thoughts from the passage.

b.      The death of Christ at the Cross saved us, those who have been declared righteous, from the wrath of God. This justification was purchased “by His blood”, according to Verse 9. It was not good behavior that did it; it was the blood of Christ shed at the Cross. His death was violent and was to provide a way for sinners (all of us!) to have a way to God. As we see the word “wrath”, we are looking at the side of God that most of us would rather avoid. We are all for the love of God, but few are interested in the “wrath” that is rightfully due all of us. God’s wrath is another attribute of a Holy God that must be recognized if we are to have an accurate picture of God.

c.       If verse 8 didn’t give us a complete enough picture of who we are without Christ (sinners), than Verse 10 clears it up for us. In this verse we are referred to as “enemies” of God before this incredible work of justification. When you think about your previous status as “enemies”, is your gratitude enhanced when you think of your current position “in Christ”? The verse reminds us that it is not only the death of Christ that makes this “reconciliation” possible, but His resurrection as well.

d.      Verse 11 reminds us of the appropriate reaction to all of this; REJOICING! This reconciliation is an incredible reality that was secured by the death and resurrection of Christ. We’re not the hero, He is!!

V.                 An Application For All Of Us

a.       Peace with God is based on something that God did, not how I feel.

                                                               i.      Do I allow my circumstances to blind me to the peace that have with God?

b.      As a believer, there is no time that I do not have access to God.

                                                               i.      Do I fail to call upon God even though I have constant access to Him?

c.       Tough times can be “building” times for the believer.

                                                               i.      Do I welcome tough times for Christ’s sake and welcome their purpose in me?

d.      If no one ever loves me, God loves me and has proved it.

                                                               i.      When was the last time that I felt that no one loved me?