It’s a question that has crossed everyone’s mind, because death happens to everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or status. The Bible compares death to sleep more than fifty times. After death we are asleep, we are unconscious; we are not aware of the passing of time or of what is going on around us. That is what death is like as well. The Bible says, “At least the living know they will die; the dead don’t know anything. No future, no reward is awaiting them, and one day they will be completely forgotten.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, VOICE)
As for where we will live after death, scripture gives some description of Heaven, but many people still have questions about this eternal place. Evangelist Billy Graham answered many of the most common questions about Heaven before he died on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99. Heaven will be beyond anything our earthly minds can comprehend as we experience unspeakable joy.
1.
FROM HEAVEN, will we know what's happening on earth? The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions
about Heaven, and we don’t know exactly how much knowledge those in heaven have
about what happens here. What we do know about Heaven is that we will be with
God, and because of that Heaven is a place of supreme joy. Even if we do see
something of what is happening on earth, we’ll see the whole picture then, and
we’ll realize how it all fits in with God’s eternal plan.
We’ll realize too
that evil and death will be defeated, and Christ will be victorious. That will
give us joy.We don’t know everything there is to
know about Heaven because we haven’t been there. If we can see what’s happening
on earth, we will see past the pain and sadness because we will be able to see
with a heavenly perspective; we’ll know how God is using the suffering on earth
for his eternal plan.
2.
What happens to us after we die? The Bible certainly does indicate that when
we die we enter immediately into God’s presence if we belong to Christ. Death is not to be feared or dreaded if you are a follower
of Christ. When we die, those who have accepted Christ will immediately enter
God’s presence. We will receive new bodies that do not age, and enjoy eternal
life in Heaven.
3.
When we die, does an angel accompany us into heaven? The Bible indicates that when a believer
dies, the angels will escort them safely into Heaven (Luke 16:19-31). Although
we may not see them or even be aware of their presence, God’s angels are real. Our guardian angels protect us from Satan, and they will
guide us to Heaven as well. If they safeguard us now, can’t they also be
trusted to safeguard our journey to Heaven?
4.
Will there be animals in heaven? Heaven will be a place of perfect happiness for us. If we
need animals around us to make our happiness complete, then you can be sure God
will have them there. We cannot even imagine the joy that we will experience
when with are in the presence of God. Heaven will be glorious—far beyond
anything we can fully imagine. It will be glorious first of all because it will
be perfect. All the sufferings, conflicts and disappointments of this life will
be over, and death will no longer exist.
Sin
will be banished, and Satan will never again have any influence over our lives.
Heaven will be glorious most of all because we’ll be in the presence of God and
of Jesus Christ. Even the most glorious thing we can imagine on earth or in the
heavens is but a pale reflection of the glory of God. Think of it: If you know
Christ, some day you will be with Him forever. We will finally be at home with
the Lord. We cannot even imagine the joy that we will experience when with are
in the presence of God. We will finally be at home with the Lord.
5.
Will we recognize our loved ones in heaven, and will they recognize
us? God
has promised that in Heaven nothing (even the memory of this world’s sin and
pain) will cast a shadow over the joy He has in store for us there. Think about
that for a moment. In this world, even the memory of what someone did to us
years ago can still cause us pain. That won’t be true in Heaven because our
focus won’t be on the past, but on Christ and what He means to us. We do not need to worry about being separated from our loved
ones in Heaven. All we need to know is that we will experience immense joy from
being with Jesus.
Jesus said to [Martha], “I am the resurrection. I am life.
Everyone who believes in me will have life even if they die. (John 11:25, ERV)[i]
[i] Sources used:
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“5 Questions about Heaven
Billy Graham Answered” By Carrie Dedrick
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