Continuing our thoughts on our relationship with God and our worship through the words of the Lord’s Prayer.

Matthew 6:9,10.

"9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

Many people think that heaven is an imaginary place, just like hell. Places which have been made up by the "religious people." Yet it seems that built into our conscious there is a feeling that there is a second place after death and the only way we can get to one of these places is when we die.
It is a strange fact that most people do not want to go to this "imaginary heaven" until they have achieved all their wishes and desires of life have been fulfilled. They do not want to consider going there until they are very old. They think that heaven, if it exists, could be a better place than the imaginary alternative, hell, but feel that heaven will be a very boring place, they will be "at church" all the time!!!! While in Hell it will be party time.
The scripture teaches that Hell will actually be a place where you are alone from others and God, and this status will be forever.

In 1 John 2:15-17 we are warned not to follow this attitude.

"15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

The Biblical scriptures definitely state there are places which we call "Heaven" and "Hell." The Bible actually refers to a place which is described as "Heaven" over 500 times.

To a true Believer, Heaven has a wonderful meaning, especially as we are told in the scriptures that we are not "Citizens of this world" but "Citizens of Heaven" already.

Ephesians 2:19

"19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"

"14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Note the following statements are actually in the present and not referring to something in the future.

"29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Matthew 12:50

"50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

A True Believer has an "Eternal Inheritance."

1 Peter 1:3-5;

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Hebrews 9:15.

"15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

Christ is the "heir of all things."

Hebrews 1:2;

"2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"

Colossians 1:12-15.

"12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:"

Philippians 3:20,21

"20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

Matthew 6:19-21

"19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Galatians 3:27-29;

"26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

James 2:5;

"5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"

Philippians 3:20;

"20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"

Romans 8:17.

"17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

What is the significance of heaven?

We shall be in the presents of God the Father and Jesus for eternity.
Hebrews 9:24

"24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:"

The Believer is set free from the presence of Satan and his followers, there can be no more temptations by them. There will be no more sin.

No more tears, no more pain, no more sadness, no more fear, no more death.
Revelation 7:14-17

"14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

No more separation from each other as we are told that there will be no sea,
Revelation 21:1

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."

Heaven will be a place of rewards.

Revelation 22:12

"12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

Revelation 2:10

"10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

Hebrews 10:36

"36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."

Romans 2:10

"10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:"

Mark 10:21

"21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me."

Luke 6:22

" 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."

"2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Philippians 3:21

"21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

Receive Rewards
1 Corinthians 9:24,25.

"24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."

1 Thessalonians 2:19.

"19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"

2 Timothy 4:8

"8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

James 1:12

"12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

1 Peter 5:4

"4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."