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HEAVEN

A Study of the Book by Randy Alcorn

SESSION SIXSEEING GOD’S FACE

GREENPEACE• Some believe that the physical world

would be better off with fewer (or no) humans.

• Others believe our spiritual selves would be better off without the physical world.

• Both are wrong. In God’s creation, they are both connected for a purpose.

MAN AND CREATION• In the 1950’s society was preoccupied

with the notion that we “now have the ability to destroy all living things.”

• We achieved that feat several thousand years earlier.

• Likewise, man and creation are linked in their expectant anticipation of redemption.

For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to

frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the

pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but

we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan

inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 8:19-23

NO DEATH?• Isaiah 65:25 tell us the “lion will eat straw

like the ox.”

• Is this as it was in Eden?

• “There is special beauty in great power that refrains from doing harm.”– Jesus on the Cross

RESURRECTED BODY• Computer upgrades, the same but new…

• What do we know of the capabilities of Christ’s resurrected body?– Appeared substantially “normal.”• Road to Emmaus (Luke 24)• Mary thought He was a gardener (John 20)• Participates in meals (John 21)• Maintains continuity in His relationships (Mary,

Peter, Thomas)

RESURRECTED BODY• Yet, Christ exhibited previously unseen

abilities with His new body…– Instant Appearance (John 20:19)– Ascension into Heaven (Acts 1:9)

• Are we meant to have the same abilities?

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior

from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables

him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like

his glorious body.

Philippians 3:20-21

Volunteer Readers:

Matthew 17:2

Revelation 1:12-18

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

SEEING GOD• What is the greatest commandment?–Matthew 22:37

• Satan’s bid to distract us from heaven is one ploy to his greater objective: diluting our passion to see God’s face.

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;

I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,

in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the

LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of

lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable

light, whom no one has seen or can see.

1 Timothy 6:15(b)-16(a)

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy;

without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our

time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long

time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

John 14:9

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

Revelation 22:4

SEEING GOD• Anticipation of a “secret” admirer.

• The Blind Boy and the King– The Happiness of Heaven – 1871• Blind boy rescued and adopted by a king.• Given every princely benefit.• Cured of blindness at the age of 20.• Experiences his joy all over again, at a heightened

level.

SEEING GOD• God aims to dwell with us.– Leviticus 26:11-12, Ezekiel 37:27, 2

Corinthians 6:16

• Heaven will be God-centered– Debunking Jonathan Edwards…Not one

mention of God!

• Conversing with Jesus…without the confusion!

SEEING GOD• Would complete preoccupation with God

lead to monotony?– Think of the most awesome things in the

universe that you enjoy. God created it, provided the inspiration for it, can do it infinitely better, and delights in our enjoyment of it.

• Christmas Gifts– A father’s pleasure, if properly received.

SEEING GOD• Won’t we always be bowed to the ground

at Christ’s feet?– Scripture says we’ll be:• Living in dwelling places• Eating, drinking• Reigning with Christ• Working for Him• Standing, walking, traveling in and out of the city,

and gathering at feasts.

• …and yet in continual worship.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

CONCLUSION• Do you now recognize that all of creation

is groaning for heaven to come?

• What in your life is distracting you from practicing the greatest commandment?

• What fears do you need to surrender before you can really get excited about dwelling with God, face-to-face?