A PLACE CALLED HEAVEN - Amid all the confusing and contradictory views, we would do well to remember that our only sure source of accurate information about heaven is God’s Word – the Bible. Jesus had firsthand knowledge of heaven because He came from there to earth. Shortly before dying, He told His disciples that He would go to His Father’s house to prepare a place for them and then would come back to take them to their new home. Several weeks later the disciples watched the resurrected Jesus ascend, as foretold, into heaven. Ever since that day, believers throughout history have been waiting for the Lord’s promised return.

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A Place Called Heaven

Charles Stanley

John 14:1-6

Because mankind is earthbound until death, misconceptions about heaven are common.

Some people imagine it as an ethereal world of formless spirits who float about, whereas others flatly deny its existence.

A few have returned from near-death experiences to describe what they saw.

Amid all the confusing and contradictory views, we would do well to remember that our only sure source of accurate information about heaven is God’s Word.

Jesus had firsthand knowledge of heaven because He came from there to earth.

Shortly before dying, He told His disciples that He would go to His Father’s house to prepare a place for them and then would come back to take them to their new home.

Several weeks later the disciples watched the resurrected Jesus ascend, as foretold, into heaven (Acts 1:9-11).

Ever since that day, believers throughout history have been waiting for the Lord’s promised return.

Each one will be given an immortal resurrection body similar to Christ’s.

It will be physical, visible, and recognizable to others. 

We will even be able to eat. (See Luke 24:41-43.)

Heaven is a literal place for actual, tangible bodies — a place to live, serve God, and worship and enjoy Him forever.

Knowing all the specifics of our eternal destination is impossible, but we can be sure that Jesus will fulfill His promise to come back for us.

Stepping into our custom-designed dwelling places, we will each realize that we’re finally home — and throughout eternity can never be separated from our heavenly Father.

Charles F. Stanley is the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times  best-selling author. While his teaching is transmitted throughout the world to millions of people, Dr. Stanley has been said to demonstrate a practical, keen awareness of people's needs and provide Christ-centered, biblically-based principles for everyday life.

Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.” This is because, as he says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.”

https://www.intouch.org/read/a-place-called-heaven