What heaven is, or isn't

Recently Jonathan Merritt took up the subject of near-death experiences and chatted with Scott McKnight about Heaven. You can read the article here.

McKnight gave his opinions, which motivated me to chime in.

If we use the Bible as a guide, we're faced with this reality:

God's Son actually said very little about what Heaven is like physically.

If you take a look at the New Testament, Jesus didn't describe Heaven as much as point to its existence and use parables to get others thinking about its significance. (Matt. 13.24, Matt. 13.31, Matt. 13.34, Matt. 13.44, Matt. 13.47, Matt. 20.1, Matt. 22.2)

At least a couple of these stories (i.e. Matt. 20.1, Matt. 22.2) detail a place of unexpected grace. Particularly towards those who, using our own standards, might not have been invited.

There are scriptures mentioning God's will being done, on earth as it is in Heaven. So we know God is definitely there. And there's talk of a new Heaven and a new earth someday. 

But there aren't many specifics.

Other than the generic one: If God's presence is there, it has to be a great place.

While it's fun to speculate, I wouldn't turn those speculations into a belief on what heaven is, or isn't.

Heaven is eternal.

I don't know what exactly is in heaven (besides God and God's Son and God's Spirit). But scripture notes that God dwells there. And if God is eternal, then so is the place where God dwells.

Pearly gates and streets of gold may or may not be included. 

The Book of Revelation mentions a few things, but I would caution that this particular book of the Bible is highly symbolic and is a tough one to interpret. And it was most likely written by the apostle John who was the most mystic-minded of the 12 apostles. (Just take a look at his gospel vs. the other 'synoptic' gospels written by Matthew, Mark and Luke.)

On the other hand,it's interesting to note that when teaching followers how to pray, God's Son taught them to ask that the Father's will be done, "on earth as it is in Heaven." From this and other statements God's Son made, you could build a case that somehow, there is a very strong connection between now (earth) and eternity (Heaven) and we don't have to wait to experience it.

We really don't know who will be there.

I like McKnight's take on this. He says only God knows who will wind up in Heaven. And God, who is always good, can be counted on to do the right thing.

We don't have to spend time worrying if friends and loved ones will be there. 

If we try to decide if any one of us made it to Heaven, we are placing a judgment on their life. Not only is that inappropriate, it serves no purpose. I'm mostly talking about the lives of people who have lived a good (moral) life, but never openly confessed a belief in God's Son. 

Who knows what happens during a person's last seconds of consciousness on earth? This side of Heaven, only God knows. Let's take the burden of deciding who is or isn't in Heaven off our shoulders and let God handle it.

What we do know is that Heaven will be a place or dimension where God's presence is experienced. So it has to be glorious! 

If God created the Universe (parts of which are still being discovered by humans), God certainly has enough power to create a new Heaven and a new earth.

So instead of spending too much time speculating about what Heaven is, or isn't, maybe the time could be better spent focusing on deepening our relationship with the Creator of the Universe. The One whom we'll be spending eternity with.

Again, I'm very grateful to Jonathan Merritt for writing a very thought-provoking article and for Scott McKnight's insight.

What do you think? I welcome your thoughts!

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