Let's Talk About Heaven, Part 2 | Questions About Heaven

Today's episode of A New Beginning is brought to you by Harvest Partners, helping people everywhere know God.

Learn more at harvest.org. And while you're there, browse our library of free ebooks designed to help you grow in your faith. When I was running track and field many years ago, I always ran faster if a pretty girl was watching me. Some people wonder if those who've gone to heaven are watching us from the heavenly grandstands. Today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie addresses that question.

Heavenly grandstands? Are they watching us? I can't say with any certainty, but I know one thing, Jesus Christ is watching us.

And that should be the greatest motivation for running the race of life. This is the day when the lost are found. This is the day for a new beginning.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound. Again you hear how the angels are singing. This is the day, the day when life begins.

They say in any major city these days, there are cameras watching you as you walk, as you drive, security cameras in front of a market, or built into a nearby ATM, maybe a webcam on the top of a building, or someone's video doorbell. What about our friends and loved ones in heaven? Are they watching what's going on here on earth? Pastor Greg Laurie addresses that question and several others today on A New Beginning as he presents a glimpse of life inside our eternal home. This is the day, the day when life begins.

The title is let's talk about heaven part two. And we are in Revelation chapter six. Let's answer some often asked questions about the afterlife. Number one, what will we do in heaven? I think some people think heaven is going to be super boring. Well we know we will be worshiping. And that's of course why I exist to bring glory to God.

But Revelation 15 says, I saw a glass scene mixed with fire and there stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast, that would be the anti-Christ and his image and the number representing his name. They were holding harps, so there are harps in heaven, that God had given them and they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God and the song of the Lamb. So there will be singing in heaven. And I think one of the reasons for the unbridled worship in heaven is because now we know all things. All of our questions are answered. All of our pain is removed.

All of our tears are dry. But here's something else you're going to do in heaven. I guarantee this. You're going to be eating amazing food in heaven.

Come on you want that don't you? See well where do you get that? From the Bible.

The only authoritative source in heaven. Revelation 19, 19, then the angel said, blessed are those who invited to the wedding supper. And not only will you have that meal but you will be with people. The whole thing about having a nice meal is having it with someone you like to be with. Right? Being with friends and family, enjoying a meal together.

Well check this out. You're going to have some pretty amazing company. Matthew 8 11 says, when that day comes you will take your place at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

How is that for starters? Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to have a meal with. Think about meeting people of the Bible. Asking David what was it like to slay Goliath you know? Noah so how did that work being in that ark all that time? Or Moses when you parted the red sea give me some details about it. Esther what was it like to save the entire Jewish race? Deborah what was it like to lead all those people into battle?

Hey Mary, Mary what was it like to carry Jesus in your womb and later have him in your heart? You know I mean don't you want to ask those questions? I do because when I'm around godly people I want details.

I want information. I want to learn from them and you'll have access to all these great men and women of God from the Bible who've gone before us to meet the Lord. And but of course it's being reunited with loved ones that we miss. How many of you have someone that was very close to you who has gone to heaven?

Right now you have someone and that's pretty much everybody. So you think about those people don't you? And you think about being with them because one of the hardest things about death is communication is cut off immediately.

And you want to communicate with them and it's so hard when you can't. So that brings me to the next issue and this is a big one and that of course is do people in heaven know what's going on on earth? Now my answer is going to surprise some people because I've heard others give a different answer than the one I'm going to give to you.

Do people in heaven know what is going on with us on earth? My answer simplified is maybe. Okay maybe.

And I might even take it a step further and say quite possibly. Because some would say no. The the kind of default answer of many is no they're in heaven. They're worshiping God. They don't know about you.

They don't care about you. They're preoccupied with Jesus. Well I think there are some scriptures that would suggest a different approach to that.

And I'll share a few of them and then we'll close. Number one people in eternity are aware of the fact that their loved ones are not saved. You say well how do you know that? Because over in Luke 16 is the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Not the Lazarus Jesus raised from the dead. Another Lazarus. They both died. Lazarus was a godly man. The rich man was an ungodly man. So they both entered into eternity. Lazarus went to the place of comfort with Abraham. And the rich man, the sinful man, was separated in a place of torment. But that man was conscious of those he left behind. And he says in Luke 16 28, I have five brothers and I want to warn them about this place of torment so they won't come here when they die. That indicates a knowledge in eternity of what is happening on earth.

Because sometimes people say you don't know anything. Well that guy knew. Hey I have brothers. I want to go warn my brothers. I don't want them to end up here. So there's a knowledge in eternity of what's happening on earth.

Number two. When people believe in Jesus on earth it's public knowledge in heaven. I was doing a crusade once.

I think it was San Jose. And I went to bed. And the next day our crusade was going to start. And I heard some noise in the room next to me.

A little music. Then it got louder. And then it got louder. And then it was like so loud it was insane. It was like the wall was thumping. And I thought okay this I can't sleep next to this. So I called down the front desk.

There's something really noisy going on in the room next to me. And so they you know I didn't want them to rat me out you know that I'm the guy. But I watched my little peephole okay. So they sent security up. Some guy was having some kind of a bachelor party. He brought a DJ in with a sound system.

And I watched the peephole the whole time. I think there were like 30 people in this room. They're taking a giant speakers. Lights and all. I'm thinking no wonder it was so loud.

So my point is if there's a party happening in a room next door to you you'll hear it. So if there's a party in heaven you'll know about it. So in Luke chapter 15 Jesus talked about a shepherd who lost his sheep. A woman who lost a coin. And a father who was reunited with his son. So talking about this shepherd that lost his sheep. He left his 99. Found his lost sheep. Wrapped it around his neck.

Brought it back. Happy he found that little lamb. And then Jesus says and I tell you there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Then 99 people who don't need to repent. Then Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son and how that boy came back to his father again. And then he says likewise I tell you there's more joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Now we read that and think well that means the angels rejoice every time a sinner repents.

Yeah they probably do. But Jesus did not say there's joy among the angels. Rather he said that when a sinner repents there's joy in the presence of the angels of God.

So I think they're rejoicing too but maybe we're rejoicing. Maybe in heaven you're aware that someone you had prayed for for your entire life on earth just came to Christ. And you're aware of their salvation and you're giving God glory for that. So there is an awareness in heaven of what is happening on earth. Then Revelation 6 the chapter I had you turn to like a year ago. We read in verse 9.

This is a scene from heaven. When the lamb broke the fifth seal I saw unto the alt of the souls of those who had been martyred for the word of God and were being faithful for their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said oh sovereign Lord holy and true how long before you judge the people who belong to the world and avenge our blood for what they've done to us.

And it was said that they should rest a little while longer. So here are people who are martyred for their faith. These are not angels.

These are mere mortals like us. They've been put to death for their faith in Jesus. They're in heaven and they knew they were put to death for following Jesus demonstrating a direct continuity between our identity on earth and our identity in heaven. They were the same people.

They're not different people. They're aware of what has happened to them. They're also aware of the passing of time on earth.

They say in verse 10 how long until you judge and avenge our blood. So the idea is they know something is wrong and they want it made right. Again my point is people in heaven are aware of what's happening on earth. So when people say they don't know anything up there well actually I beg to differ. I think they may.

They may know more than we think they do. Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. Hey everybody I want to encourage you to join us for something we call Harvest at Home. It happens every Sunday at harvest.org and on our brand new app Harvest Plus which is available on your mobile tv devices. Download it now and you can watch Harvest at Home with Christians from around the world as we worship together and study God's word.

So again join us for Harvest at Home at harvest.org or on Harvest Plus. Well Pastor Greg continues now with one of the most requested messages of the past year. It's called Let's Talk About Heaven Part Two. Hebrews 12. A very familiar verse. It says since you're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses let us lay aside the weight and the sin that so easily besets us and run with endurance a race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and now is set down on the right hand of God. Now remember I told you recently whenever you see the word therefore find out what it's there for right. So whoever wrote Hebrews and we don't know who wrote it may have been Paul we don't know but the author of Hebrews says therefore since we're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses okay he's drawn in what was said.

What did he just say? Hebrews 11. He told us all about the heroes of the faith.

We call Hebrews 11 the heroes of the faith the hall of faith and these the great men and women of God that were used very powerfully Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Gideon, Samson, David, Rahab, Daniel. The list goes on and now it starts therefore so here's the thing I'm wondering is this telling us that they're watching us from heaven. Therefore since you're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses run the race that is set before you.

Heavenly grandstands. You know when I was running track and field many years ago I always ran faster if a pretty girl was watching me. I noticed this.

It was just drudgery running all of a sudden I saw a cute girl I'm running faster come on right. You know when someone's watching you that you love like when we go to the soccer game of one of our grandchildren they they score a goal or they do something they look over to see if we're watching. You know they want to be watched and so are we being watched by being watched?

I don't know. It may be that they're just giving us an example. They went before us.

They showed us how to do it so we admire that example. Are they watching us? I can't say with any certainty but I know one thing Jesus Christ is watching us and that should be the greatest motivation for running the race of life.

He's cheering you on. You know I've heard it said we use five percent of our brain capacity. Can you imagine? Five percent. I don't even know if some people use all five percent.

I may be one of them. So presumably in heaven we'll get the other 95 percent of our brain given to us and probably a lot more. You know the thing about heaven when you get there it's not like I don't think you'll know everything. There are many verses I would imply you'll learn things in heaven. Things will be revealed to you in heaven. Otherwise you'd be like one of those bobbleheads. You know those bobbleheads. Big giant head.

Little tiny body. So you know you're going to learn. You're going to know a lot more the moment you get there. But I think you'll learn new things about the glory of God. Learn new things about God's creation. Learn new things about the mysteries of God.

Learn new things about all kinds of things. So you're going to be learning in heaven. You're going to be worshiping in heaven.

You're going to be eating in heaven. The Bible says you'll be serving in heaven. You'll be serving the Lord.

The Bible says we serve the Lord day and night. So this idea of being bored in heaven forget about it. It's going to be non-stop action and beauty and splendor and knowledge.

But best of all it'll be non-stop Jesus. And you'll see your loved ones again. You'll be reunited with those that have gone to heaven before you. And what a day that will be. I'm looking forward to that especially with my son and other members of my family. So I think deep down inside we're homesick for a place we've never been before.

It's like that line of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. There's no place like home. And that home is heaven for each of us one day.

Heaven is your home. A place. A paradise. A city.

A country. So how can I know that I am going to heaven? Let's go back to John 14 that I quoted and I'll close with this. Jesus said that my Father's house are many mansions and if it were not so I would have told you. And if I go I'll come again and receive you unto myself. And where I go you know and the way you know. And good old Thomas said excuse me we don't know where you're going and we don't know the way. I'm so glad he asked that question.

Because I think a lot of times Jesus would say something and all the other disciples would nod in unison. That is so good. That is so deep.

I'm tweeting that later. But I think Thomas was honest. Like I have no idea what you're even talking about. What do you even mean when you say where you go we know and the way we know. We don't know where you're going and we don't know the way.

And what did Jesus say? I am the way. The truth and the life. And no man comes of the Father but by me. Excellent question Thomas. Giving us this signature statement of Christ.

To say you believe in heaven but then not read what the Bible has to say about it would be like saying well I believe in Disneyland but I do not believe that the location is accurate. So I'm going to go to where I think Disneyland is and I will enter the way that I want to enter Disneyland. Ok whatever. So you're going to end up in some lame putt-putt golf course with one broken ride. I don't know. But if you happen to make it to the Magic Kingdom you got to go in the Disney way or you don't go in at all. If you try to just walk in of course you'll be stopped. Arrested by the Disney police. You'll be put in Disney jail. And I don't know what happens after that. But if you want to get into Disneyland you pay the price of what is it two thousand dollars for a day.

And that's just the food. But whatever it is you pay the price. And they stamp your hand.

And now you can go in the park and out of the park and back in the park again and all that. You have to pay the price. Well look you can't afford the price to heaven but it was paid for you two thousand years ago by Jesus on the cross. Remember I told you heaven is not for good people because you're not good enough to get there. But heaven is for forgiven people. So the real question is are you forgiven? Have you said to God I know I'm a sinner I know I don't deserve to go to heaven but you've offered me this wonderful promise that I can go there someday and I want to. So I want to believe in you.

And that's really what it comes down to. You have to admit your sin. Believe Jesus died on the cross for your sin. Churn from that sin.

Ask God to forgive you of that sin and begin to follow Christ. When you do that you can know with certainty you'll go to heaven. I'm going to heaven when I die. I guarantee you. How do you know?

Because God promised that I would go there. And I'm taking him on that promise. I'm standing on that promise.

And I know many of you believe it as well. I want to make sure everybody here and everybody wherever you are I want you to know this. And he's just a prayer away. So I'm going to give you an opportunity to ask God to forgive you of your sin so you can know that you know that you know you're going.

All right let's pray. Father thank you for your word to us. Thank you for your promise to us of heaven.

How amazing it is. And we want to all go there one day. We want to see you Lord. We want to see this paradise. This place. This city. This country. This place that exceeds our wildest dreams. And I pray for anybody here or anybody listening wherever they are if they don't have the hope of heaven help them to come to you and believe in you right now.

Right now. For we ask it in Jesus name. Amen. Pastor Greg Laurie with an important word of prayer. And if you'd like to make a change today in your relationship with the Lord, Pastor Greg would like to help you with that.

And he'll do so before today's edition of A New Beginning concludes. Well Pastor Greg we're so pleased to mention your new book on the afterlife called As It Is in Heaven. Did your interest in heaven, your curiosity about heaven grow a lot stronger when it became Christopher's new home?

Yes it did of course. You know I've always had a fascination with heaven. I think as most Christians do.

It's something I've been studying for over 50 years. But after my son went there, it suddenly became far more tangible to me. Like he is there right now. What is he doing? What is happening? And so I began an extensive study of the topic of heaven.

And I wanted to learn everything I could learn about it. What is it like? What will we do there? Will we see our loved ones again? Short answer, yes.

If they're Christians. Will it be fun? Will it be boring? The answer is yes it will be fun.

No it will not be boring. But I've written about this in detail in a book that I authored called As It Is in Heaven. So if you've had questions about heaven, and I think we all do, I think you ought to order a copy of this book. And I'll send it to you for your gift of any size. And whatever you send will be used to help us continue to bring the gospel to people and to teach the word of God through this broadcast you're listening to now. Get your copy of As It Is in Heaven. All right and we'll be glad to get a copy on its way to you. Thanks so much for partnering with us right now.

It's such an important time for that support. Contact us with your investment and be sure to ask for As It Is in Heaven. You can call us at 1-800-821-3300. We're here around the clock to take your call. 1-800-821-3300.

Or go online to harvest.org. And by the way, Pastor Greg talks more about what's waiting for us in the afterlife in a new podcast available right now at harvest.org and on the Harvest Plus app. Look for the title As It Is in Heaven, a new podcast at harvest.org, the Harvest Plus app, and on other podcast apps. Well Pastor Greg, you spoke today about having a relationship with the Lord. Someone can enter into that kind of a relationship with God right now, can't they? Yeah they really can. That's the amazing thing. I think people are surprised that it doesn't take years to become a Christian. It doesn't take months. It doesn't take weeks. It doesn't take days.

It doesn't even take hours. You can believe on the spot. And I would like to lead you in a prayer where you can ask for His forgiveness, a prayer where you can receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior and Lord. So if you want Christ to come into your life, if you want Him to forgive you of your sin, if you want a second chance in life, if you want to go to heaven when you die, stop what you're doing and pray after me these words. Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I'm sorry for my sin and I turn from it now and I choose to follow you from this moment forward as Savior and Lord, as God and friend. Thank you for loving me and calling me and forgiving me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Amen. Listen, if you have prayed those words with Pastor Greg and meant them sincerely, the Bible assures us your sins have been forgiven.

We're told the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanses from all unrighteousness. And we want to send something your way that will help you in your new relationship with the Lord. We want to send you Pastor Greg's New Believers Bible. It's yours without charge if you prayed for the first time today with Pastor Greg. Just ask for it when you call 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300. Or go to harvest.org and click the words Know God. Well, next time, as our series of most requested messages continues, Pastor Greg points out how we can have courage when we face opposition for doing the work of God. Join us here on A New Beginning with pastor and Bible teacher, Greg Laurie. This is the day, the day when life begins. Hey everybody, thanks for listening to A New Beginning. This is a podcast made possible by Harvest Partners. So for more content that can help you know God and equip you to make Him known to others, or to learn more about how you can become a Harvest Partner, just go to harvest.org.