By Pastora Monique Lopez Ong
Heaven is real. The Bible actually shows several verses about it. In the Old Testament, it was mentioned 327 times in the King James Version, and 255 times in the New Testament. Genesis 1:1 already says, “In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth.” A lot of people picture heaven with angels playing the harp sitting on the clouds just like in cartoons. Is that all heaven is?
Earth is not your home. This is only your dress rehearsal. The Lord wants to give you much more. Do you know that biblically, there are three heavens? Genesis 1:6,8 says, “And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate waters of heaven from the waters of earth.” God called the vault “sky.” That is the Atmospheric Heaven. When you look up, you say that it is the heavens, right? The Stellars of Heaven is the entire expanse of the universe. You have not seen everything because you are only on earth. Isaiah 13:10 says, “The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.” There is more to the sky than meets the eye. This is where demonic forces battle with the angelic forces. There are still so many things you do not know. And because you do not know, sometimes you cannot see what God wants to show you. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” But God does not want you to look at the atmospheric heaven or the stellars of heaven. He invites you into His dwelling place, the third heaven. Revelation 11:19 says, “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.” Have you ever watched the sky while thunder was rolling and lightning was striking? It is scary and amazing at the same time.
Heaven is actually a place. John 14:2 says, “My Father’s house has many mansions; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” You might think you are just going to sit in the clouds up there in heaven. You forget that it has many mansions prepared for every born again believer. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is your only passport to enter heaven. Not your good works; not by following the ten commandments; and definitely not by going to church. There is no other way. Only one. And that is Jesus Christ.
Everybody has a starting date and an expiry date. One day, yo need to go home. Since earth is your dress rehearsal, everything you do here will matter to heaven. It is exciting when you know that heaven is a place prepared especially for you. What does it really look like? Revelations 7:15-17 says, “Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” Heaven is filled with praise, love, joy and so much peace. Heaven is a majestic place.
Imagine walking on streets of pure gold. It is so shiny you can see your reflection glowing on the sidewalk. As you are walking, there are walls made of layered precious stones you have never seen before. Jasper, sapphire, and rubies are only a few of the gems you can see. There are twelve golden gates with a huge pearl at the center of it. It could probably be two stories in height. What smells good to you? It smells better in heaven. All the colors are more vibrant than all the colors you have seen on earth. The flowers play a humming sound, worshipping the Lord as you pass them by. And there are mansions everywhere. Animals abound and you are not scared because you understand what they are saying.
Revelation 4 says, “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “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 spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. “The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Heaven is a God-centered place. Why do you think you practice worship here on earth? Because that is all you will do in heaven - you will worship God day and night. The creatures in heaven know who they are worshipping. And it is all about God. There is nothing about you. Even if your singing is off tune, you worship. The twenty-four elders have their own thrones, but in the presence of God, they lay down their crowns and bow before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That is what happens in the throne room of God. You lay everything at His feet and give glory, and honor and thanks to Him who deserves it.
Every Sunday at church is your throne room. Your daily devotion to God is your throne room. If you do not know who you are worshipping, it will be difficult to do it. That is what heaven is all about.
Heaven is where every nation, tribe, tongue and people worship Jesus. Revelations 5:9-10 says, “And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” You were purchased by the blood of Jesus. Someone paid for your sins so that you may have access to the Kingdom. You all have assignments on earth which will be used for the greater things in heaven. Worship is everything you do for God and He will use all of your talents as an increase and exponentially in heaven.
Heaven’s Throne
-Revelations Music
I hear the voice of many angels
Around the throne and the living creatures and elders
Thousands and thousands singing with loud voices and saying
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
He is worthy to receive power and riches
And wisdom and might and honor and glory
There’s blessing in the heavens and blessings here on the earth
To him who sits on the throne
And to the Lamb
Be blessing and honor
Glory and dominion
Forever and Ever Amen
God’s invitation is for you to come up to the throne room. Jesus already paved the way for you to have access to heaven. You can live heaven here on earth. But most do not understand what it is like to be in heaven. Heaven is accessible when you receive Jesus Christ. Although many still fear death, everything beautiful is in heaven. There is no sickness and pain. It is only full of love. You can meet your enemies on earth and all you can do is smile at them. You will not get hungry or thirsty. Earth is not home; home is with the Lord. You have to practice heaven on earth so that you will not be afraid to die. People are so afraid when others die because they do not know where they will go. This is a wake up call. Do you have loved ones who do not know Jesus yet and have not received Him? You have to do double time. You want to see them in heaven too do you not? Jesus loves parties! There is always a celebration in heaven. You will not just sit there. It is a very active and beautiful place.
Surrender your life to God. Every day is a day of surrender. Sometimes your enemy is yourself. When God is saying something, surrender completely. 100%. Obey and do His will. The Holy Spirit is in you. Sometimes you will hear His prompting. Obey immediately. You are a carrier of His presence. Walk like sons and daughters of the King. Make worship your lifestyle. Everything you do should be for the Lord. Sow into the Kingdom so you can experience open heaven here on earth when you bring Jesus in your life. There will still be trials and hardships. But when you have the presence of God in your life, you have a heavenly authority to speak life to everybody. You are loaded with His power. Use it. You are blessed and favored.
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