A POST FROM PASTOR MATT

Hello Everyone!  Pastor Matt here to add some thoughts I have had since Sunday.  Mainly: What happens to those who have died or will die prior to the resurrection of the dead that I spoke of from I Corinthians?  Ooooouuuuuuuhhhhh!  If you think about what Christ said in Luke 23:43 to the thief it can definitely raise some questions.  Christ said, "I tell you the truth, TODAY you will be with me in paradise" (emphasis added).  Well, that sums it up.  Jesus said that he wasn't lying about being in paradise THAT DAY!  So, where does that leave us.  Our family members that are believers that have past away already must be with Christ in paradise.  Well, what about the whole New Earth and God dwelling with us thing?

 

Here it is, when we die those that are covered in the blood of Christ will be with Him, in paradise.  BUT, that heaven will only be temporary.  That heaven will only exist until Christ return's here to this earth.  This earth will be destroyed, laid bare, made new, etc....  This destruction of the present earth is described in many ways.  I would submit that there are as many scriptures about the destruction of our present earth as there are scriptures about the new earth and It's everlasting nature. [Ed: this will be discussed in detail in a new End Times Series called "OUTTATIME" beginning August 1st]

 

We will wait until Christ's return, our bodily resurrection, a judgment will take place for all, and then the eternal heaven will begin.  We, all believers, will be renewed in spiritual bodies and living in a renewed, better than ever, earth.  Sounds good to me!

 

Thinks about this:  In Genesis 3:21 there is an account of God slaying an animal to clothe Adam and Eve.  Yup.  There are numerous of accounts of there being animals in heaven.  So if there are animals, that would lead me to believe that the animals will need tending to.  In the case of Adam and Eve, God used the skin to clothe them.  So I am saying that not only are we going to have powerful, glorified, spiritual bodies and be living on an awesome new earth, but we are going to have purpose and function too.  The bible says that we will SERVE God in heaven and that God created us to DO GOOD WORKS.  Why would all this stop in heaven?  There are some who believe we will be allowed to complete certain tasks we started while we were on this earth. 

 

I will just simply say this.  The bible is clear that God likes music, dancing, laughing (Luke 6:21), community, and serving.  Why would we ever imagine that God will change all this in heaven?  I see heaven as the most fun, the best music, the best food, dancing, laughing, and serving each other.  Imagine how good the crops will taste on the New Earth.  We will have great cultures and communities.  Heaven really should be the thing we desire most in this life.  It is not God's intent to change us upon completion of this temporary life.  It will only get better for us.  Way better!

 

I can't wait.  That's not morbid, just as Paul said in the bible.  He knew that it would be better to be with the Lord in paradise, but his work had not yet been done.  When my work is done I shall not be afraid but thrilled to finally meet Christ.