Planet Heaven

Song of Angels®

Worship Project Part I

What if earth be but the shaddow of heav’n; and the things therein each to other like,

more than on earth is thought?

John Milton

Paradise Lost, Book II

Experiencing the Atmosphere of Heaven:

The whole jist of the Song of Angels worship series is to:

1. Make believers more aware of the real, tangible presence of God in their everyday lives.

2. Give them a musical worship aid to help bring the peace of His presence into their homes and lives.

3. Make them more aware of the ministry of angels and the cloud of witnesses urging them on in Christ. (Hebrews 1:7,14; 12:1)

4. Give them an biblical & artistic vision of Heaven so they know that in Jesus Christ they are eternal & invincible & should not ever fear death.

5. Urge them to be revolutionary missionaries to every corner of the globe in fulfillement of the Great Commission. ( Matt. 28:18-20)

Heavenly visionary, earthly missionary

Its very relelvent to study Heaven. It gives one eternal perspective and its where every missionar call has ever come - LOOKING UPWARDS!

As Saul (Paul) neared Damascus on his journey,

suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him,

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus,... Now get up and go into the city,

and you will be told what you must do.”

Acts 9:3-5

The problem today with most people who claim to know Christ, is not that they are too heavenly minded or spiritually ,but rather, they are so earthly minded that they have virtually lost the vision and heavenly call of the risen Christ and have become spiirtually impaired as far as the Kingdom of God is concerned. Whwn a believer is over preuccupied with the things of this world they simply miss hearing Gos's still small voice of guidance and lose out on accomplshing much for the Lord. Their eternal reward is minimized.

Heaven's Great Commisison

Paul was a very “relevant” soul-winner and yet he had many visions of Paradise and Heaven. (II Cor. 12) The great awakener and revivalist, John Wesley said that his heart could not prepared for a revival unless he constantly kept one eye on Heaven and one eye on earth, lest the devil get the better of him. Its was the great soul winner D.L. Moody who said that having an understanding of Heaven would directly bring results in missionary and soul winning efforts of the Churcch worldwide.

The prophet Isaiah was no regious flake - heavenly vision leads to an earthly CALL...

I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!”

And the posts of the door were shaken

by the voice of him who cried out,

and the house was filled with smoke.

So I said:

“Woe is me, for I am undone!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King,
The Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me,

having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.

And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

“Behold, this has touched your lips;
Your iniquity is taken away,
And your sin purged.”

A lso I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

And He said, “Go, and tell this people:

ISAIAH 6:2-9

The fact is, it is relevant to walk in supernatural power and heavenly authority in this time. Being connected to Heaven directly bears upon the defeat of satan and evil in this hour. Both the Apostle Paul and John Wesley understood that all true spiritual authority and power flow from the heavenly regions.

Jesus said to us that our lives should be continually connevt through prayer to the Heavenly realms. In the Lord's Prayer He prayed for us that ...“Thy will be done on earth even as it is in Heaven.” So in order to do God’s work on earth, Jesus expects each of us as believers to understand, comprehend and operate in the heavenly realm. Many beleivers need to "phone home" via thier prayer language and seek the Lord for heavenly direction. They nees to be drawn beside His still waters and begin to listen to God's still, small voice speaking to them ...

THe greatest missionary call of all was spoken by Jesus as He was being taken back into Heaven!

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be my witnesses (martyrs) in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched,

He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said,

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into Heaven?

This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven,

will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into hHaven.”

Acts 1:8-10

Without a heavenly vision dreams, calls anointings are lost - people will suffer ... the world today needs Christians who have seen and heard fron HEAVEN!

Without a vision, the people perish ...

Peroverbs 29:18

GO & TELL

Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.”

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains

and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind;

and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire;

and after the fire a still small voice.

So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle

and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.

Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts;

because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant,

torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword.

I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus ...

1Kings 19: 11-15

Heaven is above

You see, HEAVEN is ABOVE - it is where all true earthly callings for His glory orginiate. Prayerless, vision-less Christians are actually irrelevant to truly being used in God's Kingdom on earth - even in practcal ways - to help the sick, the poor the needy becuase they lack a vision of Heaven and a heavenly unction to empower them to reach others.

Besides, until believers on earth become connected and unified with the King of Heaven and with the laws of Paradise, there will never be the great Reformation which so many pray for. The fact is, there can only be a national revival when the moral laws of church, government, science, medicine, education, business and theology become unified with the eternal and holy moral laws of Paradise.

Treasures from Heaven

Why do we want to pray and worship and be spiritually in tune with Heaven in this hour? Because the Lord wants to download into our lives empowering gifts and anointings that will not only bless us but make us a blessing to the nations. (Gen. 12:1-3)

God gives us treasures from Heaven according to James the disciple ...

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, y want

that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

James 1:17-18

The Father loves to give his children gifts - but we must be willing to pray and worship Him so that we can be in His Presence to recieve from Him.

Why, even a fallen devil knows to go to Heaven throne to vainly attempt to get what he wants. [Job 1:6-7; Job 2:1-7; Ps. 100:6; Zech. 3:1-2]

A journey extraordinaire

Not withstanding some of the recent hoaxes and false reports by certain individuals as a marketing ploy to sell books - the scriptures are very clear that the Glory realm exists. Sure, from time to time there are dubious testimonires of supoosed visitations to Heaven (what the mainstream media has recently dubbed "Heavenly Tourism."

But there have also been many geniune NDE's (near death experiences) where beleivers have been proven clinically dead and then brought back to life by modern medicine. What they described as Paradise remarkably resembles what the Bible says about Heaven.

Of course critics of the supernatural should not scoff too much. In Bible accounts, from the time of Jacob (Gen 28), to Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1ff), Ezekiel (Ezekiel1), Zechariah, to the Gospels and the Apostle Paul (i.e. his vivid " Third Heaven" experience ( 2Cor.12:1ff)- to Johns book of Revelation - all these biblical passages recount personal visitations of sincere believers to Heaven while still living on earth.

Enoch, Elijah (and possibly Moses) were all actually translated into Heaven - the former not ever tasting death. The Prophet Elijah was actually picked up by a heavenly chariot of fire and taken there!

Naysayers and scoffers should not be so smug just because they can point to a few hypocrites or talebearers here and there.

Nor is there any basis to attribute such accounts to UFO's or a superior alien race. The Word palinly warns us not to be too cynical about such heavenly things.

For the Lord, the LORD of Heaven's Armies, has plainly said that he is determined to crush the whole land. So scoff no more, or your punishment will be even greater ... But these people scoff at things they do not understand ...Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings ...

Isaiah 28:22/Jude 1:10/2 Peter 2:10

The basic questions of life

There are basic philsophical questions that everyone asks themselves from time to time ...

Where did I come from?

Why am I here?

Where am I going?

If people were honest, most will admit that they wonder what will happen to them when they die. They think about it daily and more than they remember. They would admit that they think about Heaven and the after life and ask important, questions like “Where is Heaven? How do I get there? Does Heaven truly exist?

Heaven is a PLACE

Some quantum/astro physicists have said that heaven is in another dimension and one day possibly accesible through a black hole or worm hole portal located near the nubulae in the constellation Orion. (Job 9:9)

Others say its going to be this refurbished earth at the time of the "restitution of all things".

But could Heaven (as John Milton supposed) be a large and beautiful, habitable planet much like our own? Some genuine missioanries have testified they have seen it as a blue green palnet 80x larger than earth ?

Or is it simply a beautiful and idyllic place of sublime, celestial reality located in another alternative universe or dimension?

Or is the heavenly realm located at some distant location in our very own universe?

No matter. The Bible does not specifically answer these sort questions. But it does give us some clues regarding the fact that it is certainly a realm of reality and bliss “above” and beyond anything imaginable.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1Corinthians 2:9

One thing for certain, we know that when a believer dies, angels will come and carry them to Paradise.

Finally the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham in the PLACE of the righteous ...

Luke 16:22 (TLB)

Maybe this is why Bible says we are blest when we contemplate the accounts of Heaven - Revelation having the most detail of its appearance ...

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this book, ….

Revelation 1:3

God’s place

“Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in Heaven with someone sitting on it.

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby.

A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones,

and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.

In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spiritsa of God.

Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

I n the center, around the throne, were four living creatures

Revelation 4:2-7

Heaven is God's residence. It's where He lives.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,

In the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,

Is Mount Zion in the far north,

The city of the great King.

God, in her palaces,

Has made Himself known as a stronghold.…

Psalm 48:2-3

Planet Heaven ©
A Biblical Doctrine of Heaven

PLANET HEAVEN

"OURANOS"

Planet Heaven

Sacred Romance . . .

Experience the atmosphere of Heaven

The study of Heaven should be from the pure motive of simply yearning to know their Maker - the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Through Bible study, genuine testimonies and songs with lyrics and narrative about Heaven we become more familiar about it.

Sadly, some of late have been found, (and even admitted to),

giving counterfeit testimonies about their make believe

journeys into the glory realm. But why be dishonest about a topic so sacred.?

Some may do this to gain some instant spiritual "authority" on the subject. Others simply LIE in order to get bookings, speaker fees or book deals - even to be featured in major motion movies.

But of all the sincere testimonies I've heard on the subject,

one thing they all these brethren have in common - they're experiences are scripturally based. Also, such divine experiences inspired the heavenly witness to

become more humble, holy, loving and pure of heart in the fear of the Lord. - toward God and their fellow man. After all, Jesus warned us that "by their fruits you shall know them."

MUSIC ADDED TO OUR TESTIMONY:

Planet Heaven & Song of Angels music series is a timeless collection of spiritual ballads and peaceful love songs of majestic worship with an inspiring message about eternal life, entering God's rest and peace, vividly describing the eternal bliss of Heaven.

Sacred Passion …

Peaceful and majestic, these musical productions are world class. No expense was spared in creating them to give you a musical and spiritual listening experience like no other . . .

The music is performed by members of the London Symphony, Nashville String Machine and some of the best solo/studio musicians in the world . . .

Millions around the world have already been uplifted by this anointed & unique collection of worship love songs to the Lord . . .

My Journey

My dad passed away suddenly one Christmas. As a young man, that was the greatest loss imaginable to me. What made it even more difficult to accept was that he was so young and it was totally unexpected. It really made me sad for a long time.

At that moment of deep grief and despair, even a small glimmer of hope would have been so appreciated. Just the thought that I would see my father and best friend once again would have been so encouraging to my heart.

Then several years later on Christmas Eve, God gave me a strong spiritual impression and vision of Heaven. It was only then that I realized that it was a real place and that I would one day see my dad and loved ones once again. I can't even tell you the joy and healing that experience brought to my heart!

So I wanted to do a music project and narrative compilation that illustrated these eternal wonders so that others might be inspired as well.

You see, we are not to just contemplate Heaven -- we are also to be busy bringing Planet Heaven to Planet Earth -- to heavenize and declare the Glory of God from Heaven on earth. To bring the laws of illegitimate governments in line with the moral dictates and laws of Paradise. We are to bring the love, joy and peace of Heaven to all men and to influence all aspects of our culture with the Presence of God -- the King of Heaven! After all,

Jesus prayed . . .

Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven …

You are my God,

earnestly I seek you;

I thirst for you,

my whole being longs for you,

in a dry and thirsty land

where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary

and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better

than life, my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live,

and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 63:1-4

Each CD has 65 to 78 minutes of Music and Narrative

PLANET HEAVEN VOL I

PLANET HEAVEN VOL I I

Buy CD's

PLANET HEAVEN VOL I & II

Planet Heaven Narrative and the entire Song of Angels ® uniquely combines peaceful worship music with a spiritually uplifting message of God’s hope and love. Through music and words it uniquely shares the Bible by featuring the very Scriptures that will answer your specific needs.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart . . .

Psalm 24:3-4

The only true and reliable "portal "to Heaven is by faith in God's inerrant Word and by the daily true Worship of JESUS . . . Jesus is the DOOR and we access His Presence when we sincerely adore Him in our private worship times . . .

When I consider the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; what is man, that You are mindful of him?

Psalm 8:3-4b

A beautiful Creator & Savior . . .

What if earth be but the shadow of heav’n; and the things therein each to other like, more than on earth is thought?

John Milton

Paradise Lost, Book II

OURANOS: Is the Koine Greek word for Heaven. In Thayer's Greek Lexicon and in Strongs NT 3772 it can have several dfferent meanings all related. The following definitions are included. " The regions & heights above," the vaulted expanse of the sky as in a covering or expanse. As opposed to earth, the ancients saw Ouranos as the extreme measure of altitude - equivalent to the Universe (which they concieved as earth and the stars & heavens above) Gen. 1:1 Heb. 1:10; 2 Peter 3:5,10,12, Revelation 20:12 (the steady, non-twinkling lights of the planets were included) Hebrews 11:12, Deut.1:10,10:22, the unseen powers which uphold and regulate the heavens. Ouranos can also mean the vaulted regions above the sidereal heavens where God lives - God's place and the address where Jesus came from and to where he returned. (2 Cor.12:1-2, Matt.5:34 - God's abode is in the highest Ouranos where God and the angels dwell from where the new Ouranos is being prepared and will be sent down. (1Peter 1:12, John 6:38, 18:31,1Cor.15:47). The SEER understands that the celestial metropolis of the perfected new Heaven and New Jerusalem will soon come down from the Glory regions. (Revelation 3:12,21:2) It is my belief that he New Ouranos is coming to our star system soon and we all need to be ready in our hearts for this incredible event ...

uranos is the ancient Greek word for "Heaven." The ancient

Hebrew and Christians always have viewed Heaven as a real and very tangible PLACE where God, His holy angels and heavenly hosts live and where believers go when they pass from this earth.

And since everyone will pass from this region we call earth one day, isn't it logical to contemplate and learn of the nature of Praradise? Many of the songs in the SOA (Song of Angels) series speak about these very things.

You see, "Ouranos" is foremost a place of bliss and peace -- the music there being of such noble and celestial quality as to be indescribable in dynamic ranges and color. The songs there are filled with ever-changing musical melodies and beautiful angelic voice choirs with descants so high and harmonious as to defy the human imagination.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."

1 Corinthians 2:9

We can barely hint at that celestial quality here on earth but God said that even a "joyful noise," offered with genuine thanksgiving, was wholly acceptable by Him!

But to hear from Heaven we must keep our spiritual eyes and ears alert with our hearts of faith open to the possiblity that God will gently speak to us to do great exploits in this hour.

The people who know their God shall be strong,

and carry out great exploits.

Daniel 11:32

"If we could but catch one strain of Heaven’s pure melody, it would spoil us from earthly sounds forever! We must begin to see things from heaven’s side, where all is love, joy and peace. It is my prayer that, after hearing this album and reading this book, God will give you the desire and a divine expectancy to worship God from a new perspective ... "

Federico

“You can be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good?" The apostle Paul says differently. . .

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2

For our conversation is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ . . .

Philippians 3:20

Mountain climbers continually ascend the lofty heights of K-2 or Mount Everest at the risk of their own lives, because they experiece the thrill and sense of fulfillment pf conquering the fear and challenge of scaling. Climbers are forever changed through the adventure of ascent. Many are very courageous.

Why else would they risk such peril? So too, as believers we must be willing to die to our own selfishness and will and surrender to God's will if we are to ascend into His fiery, life changing Presence.

PLANET HEAVEN PART I

Song of Angels worship music is about Jesus, Heaven and the Glory of God. The lyrics of all the songs are fiiled with sound Bible doctrine and orthodox theology about these things. You see, the angels are simply another aspect of God's Glory and though essential to carrying out God's will in all dimensions of the Universe, they are not the primary focus of a believer's worship life.

The title of the worship product is singular --- SONG -- not Songs of Angels because the sole object of the angels' adoration is the SONG OF SONGS -- Jesus, the joy of all creation!

Now some people think they are really cool and relevant when they quip things like "I don't want ice cream castles or pie in the sky" or "I'm not looking for 'somewhere over the rainbow' -- I want to live here and now!" Sure, God wants you to live here and now too. But it's smug and arrogant stupidity not to think about where you'll spend eternity. Everyone will die -- that's as certain as death and taxes!

So it's very silly not to consider your long-term options -- not only here and now -- but FOREVER.

Jesus is more than "just alright"

Before I was a believer, I studied every great thinker, philosopher and religious leader that ever walked this earth. But when I compared their teachings about life and the herafter with Jesus. Christ has no rival in wisdom or love. The very kind, loving, forgiving, supernatural, miraculous life Jesus lived was in a class all by itself! Truly there was no moral or ethical equivalent.

And of course all the others ALL DIED and were buried -- unless they lied about it or there was no historical verification of such an event.

But only Jesus as an historical figure (and testified to by Joesephus and Pliny -- who were

the Jewish and Roman counterparts of the AP, Associated Press) died, and then raised himself from the dead!

The veracity of this event is fully explained by reading Josh McDowell's legendary book,

Evidence That Demands a Verdict.

Bottom line -- no one had more to say about Heaven than Jesus.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many mansions:

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again, and receive you unto myself;

that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:1-3

Heavenly Tourism?

All of us from time to time have imagined what Heaven would be like. With all the claims and fad of "Heavenly Tourism" going on these days (some genuine -- some outright fabrications), I have done my best to walk a fine line as to whether or not a given topic is based on opinion or firmly supported by the written Scriptures. The music and lyrical accounts have been birthed out of a deep desire to teach the Word of God. Sincere testimonies from godly saints, past and present, have also been utilized.

One thing is certain, I have done my best to resist the tendency to drift off “into the clouds" with my own concocted theology about Heaven. Nor has it been my desire to push emotional buttons with information that is not supported by Scripture. Regarding the blessed doctrine of Heaven, whenever possible, I have tried to make a clear differentiation between what is experiential testimony, what is my own opinion, and what is scriptural.

The Ascenders

Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran.

So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set.

And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head,

and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed,

and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth,

and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God

were ascending and descending on it.

And behold, the Lord stood above it and said:

"I am the Lord God of Abraham ..."

Genesis 28:10-13

Like Jacob (1,900 B.C.) , every Christian who is truly born again has the heart of an “ascender.”

In the Psalms, it was David’s stated desire to both ascend and to see the heavenly glory of God.

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?

Or who may stand in His holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart . . .

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee:

my soul thirsts for thee, my flesh longs for thee

in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

To see thy power and thy glory,

so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Psalms 24:3, 4; 63:1-2

When God took Elijah to Heaven, the great prophet was carried up and away in a chariot of fire and thereby ascended into Heaven.

And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind,

that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. Then it happened, as they continued on and talked,

that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them;

and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

2 Kings 2: 1, 11

So too, when Jesus left this earth He ascended into Heaven.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up;

and a cloud received him out of their sight.

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel . . .

Acts 1:9-10

Climbers

Like Nathaniel, in the Kingdom of Heaven, God has put something in all of us that stirs us to desire to ascend spiritually with Christ in prayer.

When Corrie Ten Boom was a young child she asked her father, "Papa, what is it like to die?" With a calm and reassuring smile he asked her a question, "Corrie, what is the last thing a conductor does before you get on the train?" She answered, "He hands me my ticket," He then replied, "So it is with our all-wise and loving Savior. When it is your time to depart, God's peace and grace and His very angels will be there to hand you your ticket." The Bible says "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."

In magnitudes of joy and adventure, going to Heaven is even greater then scaling all the highest mountains in the world. But no believer needs to fear the unknown. Yea, though I walk through the SHADOW of the Valley of Death, I will fear no evil. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Since Jesus has already taken the sting of death from His followers no one need fear going to the big planet at all. It will be an exciting and glorious trip and ascent beyond compare! And God tells us to come boldly to His Throne of grace every day. He also says we are seated in heavenly places and that our conversation is on high -- that we are to seek those things which are above, not the things which are on the earth.

Get ready because the Holy Conductor of Heaven's train is soon coming to earth for His celestial bride. Your tickets have been paid in full by His precious, saving blood. For a born-again believer anything is possible, on earth or in Heaven!

Verily, verily, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see heaven open,

and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

John 1:51

The land of Ouranos

And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush.

So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.

Exodus 3:1-2

The ancient Greek word for Heaven is ouranos, which means “to ascend.”

You see, the very experience of ascent in our worship will change us because

when a person earnestly begins to seek the Lord by faith, God visits them with His presence.

We are TRANSFORMED by His Presence.

Changed in His Presence

Moses was changed in God's supernatural Presence when he ascended

Mount Sinai to pray and to worship the living God.

For the very first time he spoke to God face to face and received

fresh revelation from Heaven. There he received a blueprint and complete

spiritual empowerment and the economic and political architecture

for Israel's liberation from tyranny.

But keep in mind neither the encounter nor revelation

was for himself or for "his ministry."

It was given for the entire nation of God’s people.

God never gives vision or wisdom for selfish purposes

or to simply add to someone's personal profile, wealth or stature.

Wisdom and anointing is always imparted to humbly serve God's people.

The fact is that to learn what the Bible says about Heaven is to learn more about God.

Knowing God and knowing Him more intimately -- isn’t that the purpose of our Christian faith?

And it shall be, in that day, says the Lord, That you will call Me “My Husband,” And no longer call Me, “My Master” . . .

Hosea 2:16

Great men and women of faith down through the ages have ardently sought God in worship and caught a glimpse of the heavenly realms.

Old Testament examples:

Old Testament believers equally experienced God’s supernatural presence and also desired to see into the heavenly realms in their prayer life and worship.

Here are some additional Old Testament examples of believers who experienced visions, dreams and visitations from God . . .

The Patriarch Abraham: Genesis 15:1ff

The Patriarch Israel: Genesis 46:2

Various old covenant prophets: Numbers 12:6, 24:4

The Prophet Samuel: 1 Samuel 3:15

King David: Psalm 11:4, 20:6, 63:1-5

Job: 4:13-14

Iddo the Seer: 2 Chronicles 9:29

The Prophet Isaiah: 2 Chronicles 33:32, Isaiah 1:1, 6:1-7, 29:7

The Prophet Ezekiel: Ezekiel 1:1, 8:4

The Prophet Daniel: Daniel 1:17, 2:28, 7:13

The Prophet Obadiah: Obadiah 1:1ff

The Prophet Nahum: Nahum1:1

The Prophet Habakkuk: Habakkuk 2:2

The Prophet Zechariah: Zechariah 4:1, 13:4

New Testament examples

Peter, James and John – Matthew 17:1-7; 18:2-4

John 6:26, 40

Peter and Paul - Acts 7:55; 9:3-6;10:3,9,11; 11:5; 12:7;16:9

2 Corinthians 12:1-4, Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 12:22-23

Ananias – Acts 9:10-19

Cornelius – Acts 10:1ff

Agabus – Acts 11:28

The Apostle John – Revelation 9:17, Revelation Ch.1 & 2

All Godly, spirit-filled, young believers of the last days – Acts 2:17

The apostle Paul knew the reality of visions and dreams first-hand for he was caught up into the third Heaven and saw incredible and glorious things in Paradise! [See Footnote 2]

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory.

I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago,

(whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body,

I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

such a one caught up to the third Heaven. And I knew such a man,

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words,

which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

2 Corinthians 12:1-4

SCRIPTURES ABOUT HEAVEN & ETERNAL LIFE

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

2 Corinthians 5:1-2

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image

from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

There is a healthy and healing purification, fire judgment for the saints who have died in Christ in order that they might receive a reward from the Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:11-16

The appearance of the Father’s Throne in Heaven
That Jesus sits with the Father on His Throne -- Revelation 4:3
That it appears like a radiant jewel, brilliant and glorious to the extreme -- Revelation 4:3
That a grand rainbow encompasses it, in which there is also a brilliant corona or halo

circumferencing it

Ezekiel 1:26-28

The fact that there are peels of thunder, lightning, flashings and voices --

Revelation 4:5

The Christ and the Father appear as a radiant jewel as well --

Revelation 4:3a

The Crystal Sea and the Celestial Sea of Glass as a physical place and public venue for the display of God’s power and the praise and worship of God’s saints and angels --

Revelation 4:6

That the Sea of Glass is mingled with Holy Fire and the Flames of God -- Revelation 15:2
That upon this Crystal Sea round about the Throne of God the happy inhabitants of Heaven worship Jesus the Lamb of God --

Revelation 5:1

The Crystal River:

That the Crystal River flows from beneath God’s Throne --

Revelation 4:5; Revelation 21:1-3

That the redeemed out of all the kindreds, tribes, nations and people groups of the world throughout history will stand, sing and praise and worship before God on the Crystal Sea --

Revelation 5:9; 7:9

c. That all the redeemed are made kings and priests unto God through faith in Jesus Christ --

Revelation 5:10; 20:6; 1 Peter 2:8-9; Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6

The fact that angels can sing while standing on the Crystal Sea!

Revelation 19:1-7

That the Cherubim, the four beasts and the 24 angelic elder kings all sing the new song in Heaven and prophetically we will all soon join them in their ongoing song --

Revelation 4:4; 10, 5:8-9; Daniel 7:10

The fact that all of creation [including fish, whales, porpoises and all the creatures in the sea!] all worship God in one accord --

Revelation 5:13; Isaiah 55:12; Psalm 47:1; 98:8

The fact that angels have beautiful, clear and clarion voices like that of well-played trumpets --

Revelation 4:1; 10:3

The 24 crowned, angelic, elder kings --

That they play musical instruments and harps --

Revelation 4:10-11

That they sit round about God’s Throne and since the apostle John did not include himself nor any of the 12 tribes of Israel amongst them it seems that they are a high-class of angelic beings who have ruled and reigned with Christ in Heaven already for eons --

Revelation 20:4

The golden harps and bowls:

That the sincere prayers and intercessions of true saints are carried by angels to Heaven in these and are heard by God and the 24 elders --

Revelation 5:8; 8:2-5

The angelic seraphic cries of Holy, Holy, Holy before God’s Throne --

Isaiah 6:2-4; Revelation 4:6

The fact that all in Heaven will be able to eat and will be taken care of in their bodily needs forever --

Revelation 7:16-17; 22:2-3; John 21:12

On the fact that there will be a wedding supper of the Lamb --

Revelation 19:9, 17; John 21:9-12

That God will wipe away all tears of the saints --

Revelation 7:17b; Isaiah 25:8, Ezekiel 34:23; Psalm 23:2

On the seven candlesticks, the seven angels, the seven lamp-stands, the seven spirits of God and the seven voices of thunder --

Revelation 1:12; 4:6; 5:6; 10:3-4; 15:1

On the power and fear of God before God’s Throne of Judgment --

Revelation 6:17

That angelic beings vary in size and power and that they have rainbows around their heads, faces that shine like the sun and exert great influence through God over weather conditions, earthly affairs and the environment --

Revelation 7:1-3; 10-1; Zechariah 6:5

That lucifer is a fallen archangel who makes war with the saints [Zechariah 3:1-4; Job 1:6-12; Genesis 2:1-7; Isaiah 14:9-16; Ezekiel 28:13-19; Luke 10:18; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Revelation 2:13; 12:9; 20:2, 7]

That a pleasant noise or “song” emanates from the fluttering and vibration of angel wings [Ezekiel 1:24]

That angels seem to be of both male and female gender from the description of the prophet Zechariah . . .

Then lifted I mine eyes, and looked, and behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had the wings of a stork; and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, whither do these bear the ephah? . . .

Zechariah 5:9.10

21. That angelic entourages can visit men and reveal truths of Scripture and carry them away and that God Himself can translate a believer out of this life into eternal life at His whim.

Genesis 18:1-2 [Abraham]; 19:1-3 [Lot]
Ezekiel 1:1, 4-9 [the Prophet Ezekiel]; Zechariah 1 thru 12
2 Kings 2:1, 11 and 12 [the Prophet Elijah]
Genesis 5:24 [Enoch]

That the Holy Spirit is the source and monitor of all life and is the life force streaming forth from the Tree of Life eternal.

Revelation 11:11

That our sole source of power over the world, sin and the devil is the blood of Jesus and the testimony of His infallible Word!

Revelation 12:11

That there are stringed instruments, harpists, choirs of voices and symphonies in Heaven.

a. Revelation 14:2-3

That angels are luminescent [the modern, English word for “lamp” is derived from the Bible word, “lampos,” which is the root word used for the word angel] and that they glow with light from the glory of God’s presence. For angels are illuminated with His radiance and splendor.

Revelation 18:1

Luke 2:9

That we have been commanded by God and His holy angels to never worship anyone other than God! [Although we can ask God to send angels to help us, however, we should never directly try to command angels since they are under the authority of His Lordship and we must go through the proper heavenly protocol.]

Revelation 19:10

That a truly prophetic ministry will not exalt itself or its persons but will always testify of Jesus and put His image above all else for the true spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. A true preacher of rightousness will never water down God’s truth for personal gain or ambition. The modern charismatic/evangelical church establishment have become “generalists messengers” of the Gospel selecting only the portions of scripture which promote their ministries and the sales of their books. Unlike John the Baptist and the prophets of the past they are careful not to speak the truth too plainly as they “tip-toe” in their interviews with famous talk-show hosts on national television. A true prophet would never destroy God’s holy image by portraying Him falsely to the people. In these last days, false doctrine, immorality and scandal will abound, even as preachers will continue to wink at sin while they preach a Norman Vincent Peale-type “success in life, positive” message. There is absolutely no fear of God in their ministries, nor do their people actually fear the Lord. They and their people live worldly and materialistic lives, professing Christ in name only.

Revelation 10:10

Luke 2:9

That Jesus is our glorious Bridegroom who is preparing a wedding feast and glorious ceremony for us and that He rides a celestial, white steed and His Name is Faithful and True; the Kings of kings and Lord of lords and that He is also called the “Word of God.” That the saints will also be able to ride horses in Heaven and that we will return on them when Jesus returns to earth with the armies of Heaven.

Revelation 19:11, 13, 16

That all unbelieving nations and those who are false brethren and who do not love Jesus will not receive the prophetic words of the book of Revelation and that God Himself will withdraw His presence from them. They will no longer be able to “hear” the voice of the Bridegroom . . . and they will lose spiritual discernment between good and evil.

Revelation 18:23

That Christ commands armies in Heaven that show eternal allegiance to Christ and display such allegiance before the throne.

Revelation 19:14

31. That Jesus and His delegated angelic authority is so powerful, that He only needs to send one angel from Heaven to bind him for a thousand years and eventually destroy the devil and his evil armies at the end of the age.

Revelation 20:1, 9, 10

32. That God purifies His saints through holy and healing fire and that there is a stream or river of fire that issues forth from God’s Throne:

Isaiah 66:15 Ezekiel 1:4, 13, 27; Joel 2:5; Luke 12:49; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17; Hebrews 12:29; Malachi 3:1-3; Matthew 3:10-12; Luke 3:16; 1 Peter 1:7; 2 Peter 3:7;
Our God is a consuming fire:

Deuteronomy 4:29, 36; 2 Peter 3:12

d. Daniel 7:10

33. On the fact that there are living stones of fire before God’s Throne:

Ezekiel 28:14-16

34. Even though God is great and mighty and is a warrior He also loves flowers and beautiful gardens:

Ezekiel 31:8-9; Song of Solomon 2:1, 12, 4:16; 5:1; 5:5; 6:2; Isaiah 1:29; 35:1, 6; 40:6 51:3; 58:11; 61:11; Jeremiah 31:12
The Lord loves flowers! He loves trees and hills and beautiful gardens. These are obviously part of His Paradise creation -- only on a more grandiose scale! The Father calls His own Son, the “Rose of Sharon,” and the last place that Jesus spent praying on earth was in a garden called Gethsemane [Mark 14:32; Matthew 26:36]. The Lord also put the beautiful, flowering buds of the rod of Aaron in the Ark of the Covenant to prophetically illustrate the resurrection power that is in Christ.

Exodus 25:33

Although He is a mighty warrior [Hebrews 11:34], He also possesses the kindest attributes of the gentlest mother and monitors and maintains all things through gentle, patient love and perseverance. Before Adam and Eve fell in the garden, it was His supreme motivation to have Adam and Eve as His close friends in which He even created the whole earth as a perfect, beautiful, paradisiacal garden. [See Genesis 2:8-10; 15, 16; 3:2-3, 8, 10] We see how Jesus loved to walk through this garden in the cool of the day. And we know also that He loves not only gardens of flowers and trees but gardens of fruits. [See Genesis 1:11,12,29;3:2; 1 Kings 6:29-35; 7:26, 49; Numbers 24:6; Eccl. 2:5]

35. That a vision of Heaven is a sound anchor for the soul of any saint currently living on earth. For the promise of Heaven is always inspiring to God’s people and will help them to overcome in this life with confidence -- both to live and to die godly. The Holy Spirit and the “Bride” [true Christians and martyrs who are already in Heaven] are saying to us, “. . . Come on up! . . . Come up hither! . . . Come up here and check this place out!”

Revelation 12:13-14
Revelation 22:17; Isaiah 55:1 -- It is okay to be heavenly-minded -- Christ’ command to win the nations is all the sweeter!

Heavenly states

36. On the diverse descriptions of Heaven -- the new Heaven and the new earth replacing the first Heaven and the first earth and description of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:1-3

37. That in Heaven, Jesus will wipe away all our tears from our eyes and store them in a bottle. In Heaven, there is no sadness, no grief, no death, nor sorrow, no more pain for all things are made new and there is only love, peace, joy and fellowship forever!

Revelation 7:17; 21:4; Isaiah 25:8, 35:10; Psalm 56:8

38. The redeemed shall see God’s face and a new name shall be written upon their foreheads.

Psalm 17:15; Revelation 22:4

39. The saved and the redeemed out of all the nations will walk in God’s great light and there will be no darkness there.

Revelation 21:24-25, 22:5

40. There is a pure river of water – The RIVER OF LIFE – clear as crystal, which flows out from beneath the Throne of God.

Revelation 22:1

41. That there are streets and a grand “Broadway” which runs down the middle of the heavenly city and which on either side flows the Crystal River and where the Tree of Life grows bearing twelve different types of fruits. These types of fruits grow a fresh crop each month and the leaves of these trees bring life and healing to those who partake of them.

Genesis 2:9, Revelation 22:1-4

42. That there are large gates of solid pearl and multi-colored, multi-tiered walls made of different colored, solid gemstones surrounding the New Jerusalem.

a. Revelation 21:10

43. No wicked or profane person – no habitual sinner who hates God and His commandments can enter this Holy place.

Revelation 21:7-8, 27
Revelation 22:3, 11, 15

44. Blessed are they who do not just profess Christ with their lips but who endeavor to do His commandments and obey His laws of holiness.

Revelation 22:14

45. Anyone who for any reason attempts to change or deliberately misinterpret the gospel message or who tampers with any of God’s prophesies concerning the revealed truth of Jesus Christ will be cursed of God!

Revelation 22:18-19
Galatians 1:6-9

That not all are saved and that the wicked who choose to love sin and evil and who willfully hate God, His commandments and His peace -- that they will be thrown into the lake of fire that burns for ever and ever [Revelation 20:7-15, Matthew 7:13-23]

46. Jesus says to His Bride, the Church, . . . “Come!” "Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come!” Jesus is coming quickly. MARANATHA!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1 Corinthians 16:22b
Revelation 22:20-21

EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS COME, AND COME QUICKLY!

MARANATHA AND AMEN!

For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Experience better than arguments

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,

but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power

1 Corinthians 2:4-5

We are to be kind and understanding with those who oppose the Bible and to be always gracious to those with whom we have disagreed in the ministry.

Conservative in doctrine - but liberal in love'

Paul had plenty of religious critics in his day as Jesus did before him. The relgious crowd "biblicist" can be some of the absloutely most hateful people on the planet! But jealous, envious, hateful critics have no real leverage in the grand scheme of things. And a man with a godly experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. Jesus said you would know them by their fruits.

It's great that Paul was no Monday-morning quarterback sitting limply in his armchair cynically critiquing others with supernatural experiences just because he had none!

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

2 Corinthians 12:1-4

Whether or not one conceives of Heaven as a planet or as some other concept, the important thing to understand is that the Bible says that it is a real and tangible place. And to someone who has been there, it is so real to them that arguing to them that Paradise does not exist or that their other worldly experience is not “scriptural” is laughable to them!

THE HEAVENS OPENED

Some folks just don't want to discuss or believe in anything supernatural. The Sadducees were always confronting Jesus about His miraculous power and trying to denigrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are many today in the church who do the same.

I, for one, do not understand skeptics who rail and scoff at what the Bible calls “heavenly glories." After carefully searching the scriptures, I can find no scripture text that says “thou shall not have a supernatural vision or visitation of Heaven."

Quite the contrary, Jesus will (without respect of persons) from time to time, bless His people to experience prayer as Jacob, Agabus and Cornelius . . .

Jesus answered Nathaniel and said to him,

"Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."

. . . hereafter YOU SHALL SEE THE HEAVENS OPENED, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

John 1:49-51

Sometimes you will hear someone protest a heavenly visitation experience by saying the scripture, “it is appointed for man to die once, then after comes the judgment.” True enough, but all that means is that Jacob, Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Nathaniel, Paul John and many others must have not actually died but visited this glorious place and lived to come back and tell us all about it!

From the testimonies of credible people from all walks of life who have experienced an NDE (near-death experience) many of them claim that Heaven is an actual place which exists on a planet. Again, it’s hard to argue with someone who has had a first-hand, personal experience of something they believe has actually occurred.

And psychologists and psychiatrists cannot simply write off all these testimonies as simply “the hallucinations of someone whose brain is oxygen-deprived.” They cannot simply claim that all of these people have experienced some sort of “dying brain” syndrome.

Principle: A person with an argument or criticism is always at the mercy of the one

who has encountered the risen Christ and who has had an actual supernatural experience . . .

If the “heavenly” experience does not contradict or obscure the Scriptures in any way we have no reason to always be suspicious -- even if there are occasional counterfeits and pretenders to the heights . . .

Ezekiel’s heavenly encounter

And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone;

on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it.

Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were,

the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it;

and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw,

as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around.

Ezekiel 1:26-27

Ezekiel was seeing God’s throne and angels here -- not UFOs! His experience was also confirmed by the prophet Daniel and the Apostle John.

The scriptures are greater than an experience but niether should any believer ever write off the authentic heavenly experience of another believer. But we as Christians must guard our hearts against any belief system or supposed encounter where the experience led someone to question the Bible or contradict it. Most major cults and false religions were started by the founding claiming some angelic encounter or "heavenly" vision . . .

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you,

let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again

if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:8- 9

But when any vision, dream, angelic visitation, “message” or so called “experience,” they may have come from a supernatural encounter that outright runs up against Holy Scripture must also be outright rebuked and rejected as heresy!

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:13-14

The ultimate tour guide to Heaven is the Bible. One thing for sure, out of all religions on the earth, the Bible has more to say about Heaven and the afterlife than any other religion on planet earth! No other religious book in history has more to say about its substance, its objects, and its specific existence than the Scriptures.

Quite frankly, there are some things about Heaven which the Bible is silent on. It bears repeating, that anybody’s experience, however fantastic or “spiritual” it might sound, that contradicts the holy, inerrant, immutable Word of God in the slightest must be spurned and rejected. You noticed I said contradicts. It’s therefore quite edifying to hear of descriptions of Heaven which may augment certain scriptural descriptions of it so long as these glorious particulars do not run contrary to the Bible or its message of redemption.

If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book.

Revelation 22:18-19

However, if a brother or sister says they saw in a vision an angel dressed in a yellow robe or saw Christ and His angels with a colorful rainbow around them (as General Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army claimed), or heard birds singing in a heavenly field, or saw angels singing and this increased their faith and humility in Christ, there is absolutely nothing unscriptural about this. If they are lying, God will judge them.

So lets's not live our lives so critcal and skeptical of every testimony we hear. A just balance and moderation is the Lord's delight. But the Bible says there will always be naysayers and skeptics.

Nevertheless, these filthy dreamers … scoff at heavenly glories.

Jude 1:8 (Amplified)

The religious "protector of the faith" heretic-hunting Sadducees were ones that always tried to discount angels and the miraculous realm of the supernatural without cause. That evil spirit of unbelieving, cold, intellectual religion is sadly still alive and well on planet earth today.

Bottom line -- let's not shy away from understanding from scripture and others believers' experiences and testimonies about the heavenly glories. Rather, let's praise the Lord and be the more grateful for the things God has done!

The Crystal City

There is a great blessing in store for you and your loved ones in the study of Heaven. In the Bible, the book of Revelation seems to have the most to say about Heaven. That’s why it should not be surprising that God has promised a great blessing to everyone who reads the Book of Revelation.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of

the great street of the city.

On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit,

yielding its fruit every month.

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

No longer will there be any curse.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city,

and his servants will serve him.

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

There will be no more night.

They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun,

for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:1-5

But there are other books of the Bible that speak of “God’s Place” also. There is so much about the heavenly Christ, the Throne and Heaven in general. No doubt, in God’s own eyes, Heaven is a blessed thing to contemplate.

In a more practical sense, God's ardent desire is for us here and now to begin to live in His will -- “on Earth at it is in Heaven.”

For it’s the ultimate blessing when you and your loved ones begin to experience in a tangible sense, first hand, the peaceful atmosphere of Heaven in your own home.

Through words and music, it's my prayer that the Holy Spirit of grace will assist you and your family in catching a glimpse of the glorious and sublime place where God the Father dwells and that you may receive a clearer picture of your own eternal destiny.

In our quest to understand Heaven, the Bible is our central guide. When considering a person’s experience, observation, and opinion, it’s simply wise to compare such viewpoints to the golden standard of Holy Scripture. This is especially true to understanding a clearer doctrine of Heaven.

A Berean mentality

Those in Berea received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily

to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed . . .

Acts 17:11-12

Perennial Questions

Who am I and what is my purpose?
Where did I come from?
Where am I going?

Since the dawn of civilization, people all over the globe have sought to answer these questions. Only the Bible clearly answers all three questions. The Bible is the only authentic source for understanding God, His angels and the heavenly realm.

The doctrine of Heaven explains this -- for from Heaven we came and to Heaven we will return.

As far as where we came from?

The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Job 33:4

I am as an arrow flying through the air ... a spirit sent from God returning to God ...

Rev. John Wesley

Concerning your future, the Bible is also clear that when a believer dies they return to God,

their maker . . .

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

No matter how “prophetic” or “deep” or spiritually fascinating a teaching or testimony about heavenly "messages, revelations or encounters" are, as believers, all we should want to know is if it is validated and supported by the infallible scripture. That is the final benchmark for judging all such testimony. But there is nothing wrong with a supernatural encounter with God! Quite the contrary, it is a favor and blessing.

The Bible heroes have already spoken clearly about the nature of Heaven for in Genesis, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, etc. the Bible plainly speaks of visions, angels, stairports of light, spiritual translation, awesome description of heavenscapes, Thrones, celestial creatures and God's dwelling place itself.

Heavenly Discernment

God's Word is a lamp unto our feet, a light unto our paths . . . it is the only safe means to discern between what's truth and what's from heaven and from what is from the heart -- the Holy Spirit and God's Word help us discern between good and evil.

But solid food (the Word) is for the mature, whose senses are trained by practice to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)

With all the showmanship, exaggerations, sensationalism and extra-biblical “revelation” spewing forth these days on Christian and mainstream TV and popular literature, it’s a good thing to emulate the believers of ancient Berea. It will protect from sheer fantasy and doctrinal error -- especially true when it comes to the topic of the supernatural realm. (Hebrews 4:12)

All scripture is given by God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness . . .

2 Timothy 3:16

Of course the supernatural realm involves God’s Throne, Paradise and the angels, and other extra-terrestrial paradisiacal creatures..

Anti-supernatural folks

Some "anti -supernaturalist," arm-chair evangelical critics are now on YouTube and are aggressivey attacking anyone who has been blest with heavenly encounters, visions and callings. They have scoffed at and mocked devout men and women of God who with pertinent, prophetic revelation (which in no way contradicts the Word ) have brought many into the Kingdom but who by virtue of their pharasaical nit-pickin and hatefulness may have disqualified themselves from entering His Kingdom forever. (Of course, in their smug pride, they feel they are the true and only defenders of fundamental doctrines and the 66 inerrant canonical books of the Bible.)

A mystic is not to be confused with a Gnostic. Used in the classical sense of the word, it simply denoted that a Christian walked in a supernatural realm of power and that their faith was both spiritually and intellectually based as well as experientially.

A doctrinally-sound mystic (one who EXPERIENCES GOD IN UNIQUE FASHION like Madame Guyon, John of the Cross, Wesley or Brother Lawrence) is a believer who though orthodox in doctrine has also had unashamedly mystical "caught up to Heaven" experiences or suoernatural encounters with angels, etc. while still living on earth. They are a modern counterpart of the great prophets of the past, many who did not (nor could they) write in scripture all their supernatural experiences.

Some evangelical sceptics and modern-day Sadducees are against the supernatural interventions and gifts of the Holy Spirit in these days altogether. They think when the 66 canonical books of the Bible were assembled around 300 AD that that ended the book of Acts /actions of the Holy Spirit.

But against their own laws of context and rules for interpretation, Paul had no idea when he wrote his epistle to the Corinthians that it would one day be canon. Therefore it could not have meant in 1 Corinthians 13 which says, "but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" that he was talking about the gifts of the Spirit.

Paul did not mean to ever be misinterpreted as saying axiomatically, that one day the gifts of the Holy Spirit in this Church aio (age) will be done away with for good. No! He was referring to the second advent of Christ and the "perfect" as being the blemish-free and sin-free new Heaven and a new Earth!

Until then, we see darkly as in a glass -- so as for the ecclesia (the Church), we desperately need these precious gifts.

It's nigh unto blasphemy to deny such gifts since the Apostle Paul who plainly desires the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit be coveted by true believers claiming the Gospel. ( 1 Corinthians 12-14) Paul was more concerned about their organization and USE, not their demise!

But even a well-meaning"mystic" becomes a Gnostic when they claim something that is NOT supported by scripture. That's the stuff of cults. Let every man be a liar but God's word, whole and part, be true!

We see that in past Church history, people like the Essenes and Gnostics tended to drift from the Scriptures to where their personal spiritual experiences and “transcendent feelings and personal revelations” started to become more important than the written Word.

As a result, even some well-meaning believers can get way off-base from the scriptures. In their altered states, “ascension” techniques and astral projections, they began to “prophesy” wild, ethereal, unbiblical philosophical notions about God’s holy nature, Heaven and angels. Because of their excesses, they eventually evolved into strange, exclusivist, cloistered sects and ended up making little or no real impact in the world for the Kingdom of God -- or worse yet, may evolve into strange cults and then become the enemy of Christ.