I found an interesting article about NT Wright's views on heaven in Time Magazine. The short version is that NT Wright believes that many Christians have a distorted view of heaven.
sometime in the future, after the second coming - see The Last Battle for a pretty good description of what i think.
basically, i just trust that Jesus was speaking literally and for everyone when he told the Thief "today you will be with me in paradise" and don't really think about it all that much.
I personally enjoy NT Wright's discourse here, and find his description of a a regeneration to be scripturally sound. It may not meet the nice, simple version of heaven that still fits well into all theology, but it is an accurate statement of God's purpose. The bible states that we are vessels, so why would he not want to change us to be more glorious?
"The bible states that we are vessels, so why would he not want to change us to be more glorious?"
Exactly!
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them. -Rev. 21:1-2 ...Come here; I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And he carried me away in spirit onto a great and high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. Having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, as clear as crystal.-Rev. 21:9-11
God's eternal dwelling place is the New Jerusalem. According to Revelation, the New Jerusalem is not "heaven" but comes down out of heaven to fill the new
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Dear Ryu, might I suggest delivering such great teachings in smaller portions? It's awfully hard to digest all at once, and I think these things best take a lifetime to thoroughly get them.
Maybe it's just me, I'm the kind of guy who has trouble with sermons that exceed 15 or maybe 20 minutes.
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Sorry, I think he's wrong.
I believe that after death we find ourselves - made whole - in heaven.
This passing world is just that - passing.
It's a small part of the whole of what there is, and our lives here are a small part of the whole of who we are.
But eternal reality - in heaven - is the wholeness of how we live with Godde... in relationship with Godde... and it is in heaven.
Heaven is a tangible place. Much more tangible, in fact, than this passing world that we feel so sure is tangible.
I think the article (and its author if he's been accurately reported) have got it wrong.
From everlasting to everlasting, we live with Godde in heaven... in the deepest reality.
And it is *so* beautiful, and *so* restful, and best of all, Godde is everywhere - our beautiful Godde who loves us.
We are going to Godde to live with Godde forever.
We are going to heaven.
It is our home.
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basically, i just trust that Jesus was speaking literally and for everyone when he told the Thief "today you will be with me in paradise" and don't really think about it all that much.
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Exactly!
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.
-Rev. 21:1-2
...Come here; I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.
And he carried me away in spirit onto a great and high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. Having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, as clear as crystal.-Rev. 21:9-11
God's eternal dwelling place is the New Jerusalem. According to Revelation, the New Jerusalem is not "heaven" but comes down out of heaven to fill the new ( ... )
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Maybe it's just me, I'm the kind of guy who has trouble with sermons that exceed 15 or maybe 20 minutes.
Thanks anyway, bro. :)
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