What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
You can know for certain that you have permanent residence in the kingdom of heaven. The residence is secured when one is “born-again” (John 3), and has your name on it when you are converted to Christ (Matt 18). But only a student of the end times knows that it will not have streets of gold until a thousand years has ended. The Bible speaks of three heavens, one where birds fly, one where stars fly, and the third heaven where the full glory of God is forever manifest. When a saint dies, they are absent from the body and present with the Lord in this third heaven. But the streets of gold in the city with twelve gates (for the twelve tribes of Israel) and twelve foundations (for the twelve apostles of Christ), does not show up until there is a new heaven and a new earth described in Revelation 21. Between now and then there will be a trumpet call, the rapture of the church, and the 1st resurrection, which puts us in an incorruptible body. There will be a “Bema Seat” judgment for the saints while the world sees seven years of great tribulation. The second advent of Christ, where he returns with his saints, riding into the battle of Armageddon, is described in Revelation 19. Chapter 20 describes the one thousand year reign of Christ and the Great White Throne judgment. The 2nd resurrection and the 2nd death meted out in that judgment mark the end of this world; it is all destroyed with a fervent heat (2Pet3:10). Only then are the saints from the 1st resurrection ushered into the city with streets of gold. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power” (Rev20:6).
An Essay for week #43 10/26/2014
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