DISPELLING MYTHS
Part three of fifteen devotions in Heaven Enchantment Series
John 8:44
John 8:44: “You belong to your
father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not
holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language,
for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
If heaven is so enchanting, why don’t we
know more about it? The devil actively
tries keeping heaven a secret. He used
to be a beautiful and powerful angel when he lived in heaven, you know. Then he became too proud to bow down and
worship God.
“How
you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to earth, you who
once laid low the nations! You said in
your heart, …‘I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself
like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:12-13a,
14 is often used to compare the King of Babylon to Satan's fall).
The
devil is like a spoiled kid who may not have his way. He’s been throwing temper tantrums ever since
he was tossed out where God’s kids get to live.
“No!!!” we hear him protest. His
purpose is to cheat believers from getting to, or even wanting to spend
eternity in the paradise of heaven!
My
question is, “Why don’t seminaries teach what the Bible reveals about heaven? Why don’t believers hear sermons about
heaven?” The Bible mixes in plenty of enchanting
passages that teach the truth. Apostle
Paul struggled whether he’d prefer to live or die in Philippians 1:23-24: “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is
better by far; but is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”
He
certainly imagined heaven to be paradise with Jesus. Jesus’ disciples recognized Him immediately
after His resurrection. They watched His
resurrected body eat and walk around. Thomas put his finger where the nails made
holes in His hand, and touched the scar in His side (John 20:27).
This
is #3 of this series’ twelve devotions.
Readers already learned how to follow Jesus to heaven and understand
their resurrection destiny. Are you
getting eager to see for yourself how enchanting heaven is?
Take
Home Nugget
People
will have real, glorified bodies in heaven—not float around as disembodied
spirits strumming harps on clouds!
Resurrected bodies will be perfectly healthy and strong. We’ll live on a physical earth that will be
made new…see lesson, linked below. We’ll
enjoy the same things that will continue to delight us. We’ll live in cities in nations. Jerusalem will be the capital.
Read
Revelation 21-22 because the devil hates your learning the truth about heaven.
J.D. Griffith
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