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Doctrinal pointers by Gerald B. Stanton, Th.D. Prof, of Systematic Theology, Talbot Theological Seminary Places of Final Destiny
went to the better part of Hades, called Abraham’s bosom or paradise. Since the death and resurrection of Christ, the righteous have at death immediately entered the presence of the Lord (Rom. 8:11; Phil. 1:21-23; 2 Cor. 5:8). In either case, there is not a shred of evidence to support the notion of purgatory, save the de mands of an earthly ecclesiastical tradition. When a believer in Christ is “absent from the body,” immediate ly he is gloriously “present with the Lord.” v Not all of our questions concerning heaven are answered by the Bible, yet it is surprising how much has been revealed. Heaven is eternal in its duration (2 Cor. 5:1; Rev. 22:5). In addition to its being the abode of God and His saints, it is the place where angels dwell (Matt. 24:31; 28:2). It is free from pain and sor row (Rev. 21:4). It is a place of per fect happiness (Rev. 7:16, 17) and of great reward (Matt. 5:12). What will occupy the inhabitants of heaven? Once again, a complete answer is not given but there are some suggestions. It is written that we shall rest from our labors (Rev. 14:13). There shall be much singing (Rev. 5:9, 10) and wonderful fellow ship with the Lord (Rev. 21:3). In heaven we shall serve God (Rev. 22:3) and worship Him who alone is worthy “. . . to receive glory and honor and power . . .” (Rev. 4:11). But the chief wonder of heaven will not be our delight over the presence of the Lord, but His delight over the saints as He puts them on display before the universe as tro phies of His grace (Eph. 2:7). Then shall the prayer of Christ be answered in its fulness: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou has given me . . .” (John 17:24).
tteaven. We conclude these studies lion the subject of eternal destiny with that bright hope of heaven God has set before all who are His children. It has been rightly said that “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” In it shall be found the redeemed of all ages. In particu lar, the Church is promised “. . . an inheritance incorruptible, and unde filed, and that fadeth not away, re served in heaven . . . ” (1 Pet. 1:4). Since heaven is the abode of God, it is obvious that no sin shall enter therein. God is “ . . of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity . . .” (Hab. 1:13). Therefore, wicked ones cannot in herit heaven but “. . . shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone . . .” (Rev. 21 : 8 ). The Scripture uses various names to denote heaven. In Matthew 3:12 it is called a “gamer” into which the “wheat” of the Lord shall be gath ered. In 2 Corinthians 12:4 Paul re fers to heaven as “paradise.” In He brews 11:10 and 13:14 it is viewed as a heavenly “city,” while Hebrews 11:16 calls it “a better country.” Con trary to all who consider heaven a mere state of mind, the Scriptures uniformly declare that heaven is a place. This is twice confirmed by Christ in John 14:2, 3. The Bible alludes to three heavens (2 Cor. 12:2). The first is evidently the atmospheric heaven about the earth, that in which the birds fly and through which the rains descend. The second is the visible heaven of the starry spaces (Gen. 1:14-17), thought to be the primary sphere of angels. The third heaven is the very abode of God (Matt. 5:16, 45, 48; John 3:13; Eph. 4:10). It is in this last sense that we refer to heaven as a “place of eternal destiny.” Before the cross, the righteous dead
A pure, simple and stable spirit is not dissipated, though it be employed in many works; because it does all to the glory of God, and seeks not itself in anything it doth. — Thomas a Kempis
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SEPTEMBER 1956
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