This article is part two of three in a series intended to answer the important question: What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? Part one was defining what the gospel is and what the gospel is not. If you have not read part one, you can read it here (The Gospel – What did Jesus think he was doing?). The main point was that Heaven is not just about life after death, it is about the Kingdom of God here and now.
Part two is about Heaven. Part three will be about Hell.
First, when talking about Heaven, we need to define what we are talking about. Typically, we at least mean something about life after death. There is an important distinction in the Bible between the intermediate state and the final resurrection at the end of the age, so let’s start there.
The Intermediate State
The intermediate state is the period of time between death and resurrection. Evangelicals often talk about going to Heaven when you die. This is often referring to the final resurrection. This is what the Bible talks about more and is probably the most relevant. The Bible only briefly talks about the period of time between death and this final resurrection, and there is not much detail provided.
The main takeaway about the intermediate state is that we will be with Christ.
Paul
There are several passages that highlight this. First, Paul writes to the church in Philippi while in prison.
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.
Philippians 1:23 NIV
Not surprisingly, to be with Christ was a far better prospect than the suffering Paul was experiencing (though he is torn knowing there was more work to be done). Paul was talking about what would happen immediately at his death. He would depart from his earthly body and be with Christ.
Jesus
The other Bible passage refers to when the thief on the cross asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into his kingdom.
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43 NIV
Jesus told the thief that when he died, he would immediately be with him. We don’t know much about the intermediate state, but we know it will be with Christ and it will be a far better paradise. Some propose that we will be unconscious during this intermediate state between death and resurrection. This is a possibility, but it isn’t stated in the Bible and it is not necessary to understand what is written. Some also propose that we will not have a body in the intermediate state. This seems likely given that it is before the final resurrection. The earthly body is left behind and is not yet resurrected.
With this distinction in mind, we will focus the remainder of this article on the final resurrection and use the word Heaven to refer to this final state. To begin, we will first combat some popular ideas by defining what Heaven is not.
What Heaven Is Not:
- Heaven is not solely a spiritual, disembodied realm. The concept of a purely spiritual realm comes from Greek philosophy based on the dualism between the material and the spiritual. The material was bad and the spiritual was good. This meant that the material body would not be in Heaven, the realm of perfection.
- Heaven is not boring. It will not be an endless church service as we think about it today. It is a full life with God. The Garden of Eden in Gensis is the best picture for what Heaven will be like.
- Heaven is not paradise (for everyone). Paradise is a very relative term. What comes to mind when you think of paradise is likely a very human perspective focused on pleasure with selfish motivations. Heaven will only be paradise if we redefine paradise according to God’s definitions. We will unpack this more below.
What Is Heaven according to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Now that we know what Heaven is not, let’s outline a few attributes about what Heaven is. First, it is eternal. It will be forever. Infinity is a difficult concept to understand, but the Bible says that God has created humans as unceasing spiritual beings.
Heaven will be like the Garden of Eden before sin. Work will change so that we won’t be toiling against thorns and thistles but using cultivation and creativity for the benefit of everyone. Many professions are built around dealing with fallout of sin. There won’t be a need for doctors, lawyers, police, etc. Maybe we will all be farmers and artists? Our bodies will be resurrected and perfected. They won’t wear down and succumb to injury and disease.
Heaven will be diverse. John describes the diversity of Heaven with an image of a large worship service made of up of all nations.
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
Revelation 7:9 NIV
Paradise Redefined
One of the common objections to Christianity is how could a loving God send people to Hell. Part three will address Hell more directly, but we need to redefine paradise to understand why this objection misses the point.
Paradise sounds great to everyone but would look very different. For some, it would be a tropical island with free drinks and no work. Others would want a cozy cabin in the mountains with an endless library of books. Some would always be with a group of people having a party. Others would primarily be alone or with just a few friends.
All of these concepts are based on a self-centered view of the good life. It seems unfair if God were to only give some people an eternity of their selfish pleasures, but this is not what the Bible teaches about Heaven. (This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the principle is the same even if paradise is defined as a place where one doesn’t experience pain and brokenness. Heaven is not just the absence of evil.)
True Paradise
Heaven is the realm where God’s will is done. God defines what is best for humans as they are his creation after all. Humans that want to live an everlasting life with God, give their allegiance to God as King. They live according to his will. This starts in the here and now and continues in its culmination with the resurrection. It then continues for eternity.
If we redefine paradise as the realm where God is King and people willing submit to his will, then this wouldn’t be paradise for everyone. This isn’t just the absence of evil; it is the presence of God. This paradise is open to everyone, but God isn’t going to force it. It is a decision we all need to make.
Conclusion: The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Heaven
What does this mean for us today?
First, our view of Heaven impacts our view of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Submitting to God as King is only good news if we believe that God’s plan is better for us than whatever we can do without him. If we are not submitting to God’s will now, then why do we think Heaven will be paradise for us?
Secondly, our view of Heaven will shape how we share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. While selling an eternity of pleasure is easier, it is a false gospel. Sharing a life with God is compelling once people realize they are not able to save themselves. We can tell a better story than the world can offer.
Third, this is a helpful rebuttal to the objection that if God were loving, he wouldn’t exclude people from Heaven.
Let us know in the comments your thoughts about Heaven and what the gospel of Jesus Christ is to you. Stay tuned for part three on Hell in the near future.
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