Resources by Topic: Heaven

Randy Alcorn recalls the imagery of C. S. Lewis' "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." In it the voyagers know they have reached Aslan's country, or Heaven, because the sea water turns sweet. One member of the voyage describes the sweet water as drinkable light. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn discusses the change of the seas from salt water to fresh described in Ezekiel 47 and connects it with C.S. Lewis' description of the arrival at Aslan's Country in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn discusses what the landscape of the New Earth will be like. Though Revelation 21 says that there no will longer be any sea, Ezekiel 47 describes the river flowing from the temple which makes the salt water fresh. And life will be abundant in the river. So there will no longer be poisonous salt water seas, but there will be large bodies of water that promote life. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

What does it mean that there will no longer be any sea? Randy Alcorn quotes Charles Spurgeon who asserts that this must have a spiritual meaning. The sea separates nations and to the ancients it was fearsome. It represented danger and death. So in the world to come there will be no division or danger like the sea represented. We shouldn't interpret it as "How sad - no more fun times at the beach." This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Though there is nothing specific in Scripture to answer this question, Randy Alcorn validates the possibility of some type of economy. It's clear that people will be productive and that everyone will be provided for in God's Kingdom. But we do not know what system the Lord will use. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn explains that Scripture doesn't give us many details about things outside of the New Jerusalem. But it does seem to indicate that there are many nations and many people on the the New Earth living outside the New Jerusalem. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Revelation is not the only book that talks about the New Earth. Randy Alcorn looks at a passage in Ezekiel that is consistent in detail with the description of the New Earth in Revelation 21 and 22. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn discusses several verses from Revelation 21 and 22 that describe the New Jerusalem. They tell us that it will be a place of beauty and natural wonder. And the Tree of Life is at the center of this paradise. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Heaven is described in Scripture as a country, a city and our home. But we often transfer our negative feelings toward these three things in this life onto our concept of heaven. In this video Randy Alcorn encourages us to not let our present understandings color our view of heaven. Heaven will be perfect - all of the good with none of the bad. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Some wonder if on the New Earth all the redeemed will live within the New Jerusalem or if some will live among the nations surrounding the city. Randy Alcorn shares some thoughts regarding this question and makes some helpful distinctions. He ends by reassuring that we will be completely fulfilled wherever we live. 

Randy Alcorn answers this question emphasizing that moral perfection in Heaven does not mean that we all will have exactly the same abilities. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

In a parable Jesus tells of the master who puts his faithful servants in charge of cities. Is ruling cities just a metaphor? Randy Alcorn suggests that it might not be. He quotes Dallas Willard who says that asking if we could rule over a city now is good preparation for eternity. Randy shows what Scripture says about the reality of our rule. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

This parable shows that we all have a term of service to God in this world and that term of service will come to an end. But how will our financial stewardship here affect our life in the Millennium and beyond? Randy Alcorn answers this question from the parable. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Believers often wonder about the connection between suffering and being the heirs of God, which Paul talks about in Romans 8:16-17. Randy Alcorn addresses this by pointing out that a spoiled prince turns into a tyrant king. In contrast to this, suffering in this life prepares us to rule with grace and mercy in the life to come. Randy emphasizes that though we will be made perfect (free of sin) in Heaven, we will not suddenly lose all the growth and refinement we went through on earth. Our life here prepares us for Heaven. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.