Day 17
Topic: Resurrection of the dead
Title: The Interim Reward -Heaven
Truth Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 Phil 1:22-24 Heaven – Better by Far
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a
building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked...We are confident,
I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the
Lord...I desire to depart with Christ, which is far better
Truth Story: A major bank in the UK has 3 major types of Visa Debit account. They are known as the Standard current account, the Reward current account and the Ultimate Reward current account. These three account cards are a great way of comparing the three stages of our existence, namely:
· Standard account– our present life on earth (1 Tim 4:8 Jn 10:10
1 Pet 4:2)
· Reward account – the present or first heaven ; a temporary residence where departed saints live until the return of Christ and our
bodily resurrection (Rev 21:1,22,23 Jn 11:25 Luke 16:22-26)
· Ultimate Reward account – the eternal Heaven, the New earth ;our true home, the place where we will live forever with the Lord and
one another.(Jn3:16,36 & 6:47 1 Jn 2:25 Jude 1:21 Luke 18:30)
Truth Unpacked: In this study we explore the middle stage – Reward: the present or first heaven. From our truth verses there is the certainty of physical resurrection and transformation (see verses 1-5), the confidence that death begins a journey (6-7) and the assurance that death places us in the presence of Christ (v. 8).
First, resurrection-transformation is the inevitable result of the Spirit's regenerative and renewing work within us.
Second, the language of tent, building, house and clothed indicates that our future life with the Lord will involve some form of material existence. Today you will be with me in paradise means that there is immediate life after death - some manner of continuity between our present and future forms of existence.
Finally, it is the down payment of the Spirit that ensures continuity between present and future modes of existence. Heaven is the place God lives (Deut 26:15; Matt 6:9). It’s where He sits on the throne and dwells in all His holiness (Rev 4:2-8; Isa 6). Heaven is ‘the abode of God and of the righteous after death’ (Heb 8:5; 9:11,23-24). Heaven is where Christ came from (John 6:42), where He returned to (Acts 1:1 1), where He now is and from which He will return to earth (Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16 Jn 14-“Mansions” means ‘Home’ or ‘Stopping place on a journey’.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live each day as if it was my last day here. I realize that there is a time ...for my departure! Lord, like the bible heroes and heroines of faith, help me during my time on earth to lay up treasure in heaven. I am looking for that better country – a heavenly one – with Christ which is far better.
