What do you think of the following question, “Is there life after death?” Throughout centuries, individuals from all backgrounds have shared strange experiences at the end of human life. Some people describe their near-death occurrence where they felt detached from their physical bodies and perceived their surroundings or themselves from a divine perspective. Others report passing through a dark tunnel or pathway towards a beautiful, bright light. Some even claim to have encountered their deceased loved ones and received reassurance that they are doing well in Heaven. Certain witnesses mention having quick reviews of significant life events, recognizing God’s presence during those times. A few report supernatural encounters with the Holy Spirit and a sense of residing in a place like Heaven. These events can help us catch a glimpse of life beyond the grave. However, apart from the Bible, everything else can only be considered wishful thinking. The reliable source of information on the afterlife comes solely from the Bible.

Three thousand years ago, King David proclaimed, “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6) King Solomon declared that God had placed eternity in the heart of every person (Ecclesiastes 3:10). Some refer to this as a “God-shaped vacuum” in the heart of every human being. As Christians, we believe that true happiness can only be achieved through an intimate relationship with God. King Solomon also stated, “And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). We were created with a longing for our eternal home, Heaven, where we will be reunited with God, our Abba Father, and our Creator. I could cite many more scriptures that speak about the eternal realm, but the main idea is that our lives do not end with death.

In the Bible, heaven and hell are described as real places… We yearn for more than just the cycle of “being born, living, dying, and then being buried in the ground.” Some state that there is also a “Heaven-shaped vacuum,” suggesting that we were made for something greater than this earthly life… If we were to ask those around us the question, “Do you think you will go to heaven when you die?” many of them would respond positively by saying “I hope so.” With this background in mind, let us now explore some of the most frequently asked questions about Heaven.

Before I move on to these questions, I would like to make one more comment. While I am here to present what the Scripture says about Heaven, I must acknowledge that I am like a travel guide for a destination I have never visited. It is important to recognize that the reality of Heaven will surpass what I am about to explain.

The first question that often arises is the location of Heaven. “Where is Heaven placed?” In the Bible, when the location of Heaven is mentioned, it is frequently described as “up” or “above” in the sky… Numerous scriptures reveal that Heaven, the dwelling place of God is located “up” or “above.” Some people believe that Heaven can be found within this present universe, while a few have even speculated about its location “on the sides of the north” (Isaiah 14:12-14). On the other hand, others think that Heaven must be outside our universe, potentially “billions of light years away” from our current position. However, despite human efforts regarding the physical location of Heaven, nobody has ever succeeded in finding it. We must understand that Heaven is placed on God’s map only, not on Google Maps. Although we may not know its exact earthly address, Heaven is indeed a real place.

In our Gospel text for today, Jesus spoke to His disciples on the night before he was crucified. He said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3). In this passage, Jesus refers to Heaven as “a place” twice. By doing so, He emphasizes that Heaven, or “my Father’s house,” is a genuine location, just like Fenelon Falls or Glenarm… This is why the scripture for this morning compares Heaven to a mansion with many rooms. The King James Version of this text, the Father’s house is translated as “mansions.” The term “mansion” usually refers to an impressive and luxurious residence, providing a large space for living, entertainment, and activities. Living in a mansion is often interpreted as a symbol of success in this world. Our heavenly home will be truly wonderful!

The second question we often ponder is “What will Heaven be like?” In our Epistle for today, we find one of the most detailed descriptions of Heaven. According to this scripture, Heaven is portrayed as a place of “the Holy City, coming down out of Heaven from God. “It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper clear as crystal” (Revelation 21:10-11). I truly believe in what the Apostle John saw in this passage. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that no matter how beautifully Heaven is depicted, our human words are inadequate to fully express its magnificence. The reality of Heaven will far exceed any narration we can offer. It will be infinitely greater than we can imagine.

Heaven will also be the absence of many things that trouble us in our world… Have you ever heard of “No tears in heaven?” It is nearly impossible for us to imagine a world without tears. In our present lives, we experience heartbreak and sadness on every side. However, in Heaven, all suffering will be eliminated forever. Some have asked me if God will personally wipe away our tears. The answer is yes. Not only will God brush away our tears, but He will also collect every tear and reward us according to the tears we have shed.

C. S. Lewis, a popular theologian of the twentieth century, liked to say: “Christians never say goodbye. We simply say, “See you later. And we will.” Isn’t that a wonderful thought? As many of you know, my wife and I had a marvellous time during our recent vacation in our homeland, Korea. Most of our time was spent with my mother. We shared meals together and made special visits to various places. Before returning to Canada, the most difficult part was saying goodbye and leaving my mother alone. However, even though it was challenging to do, we find comfort in knowing that we will see her again during our next visit.

Thirdly, let us explore the question, “What kind of body will we get in Heaven? This is one of the most curious accounts of Heaven. The Apostle Paul provides us with insights to our future bodies. He says, “We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands…” (2 Corinthians 5: 1, 2) Are we satisfied with our present bodies? Some of us may not be content with the condition of our physical bodies. However, in Heaven, we will receive new bodies that are perfect.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, known as “the Resurrection of Christ,” the Apostle Paul presents the amazing bodies that God has prepared for us in Heaven. According to him, there are two completely different bodies, the natural body and the spiritual body. The earthly body we currently possess is perishable, dishonored, weak, and natural. Some of us may experience frustration because of our physical weaknesses. As we age, our bodies gradually lose their ability to function and slow down over time. This is why it is important to engage in proper exercise and maintain a nutritious diet in our lives. We desire to look good, so we apply creams and lotions to prevent wrinkles on our faces. These practices are beneficial since we are called to take care of the precious bodies that God has given us. However, it is also essential to remember that one day our bodies will decompose. Our human bodies are naturally weak and prone to temptation. Even if we strive to live in holiness, we may unintentionally commit sin.

But what about our spiritual bodies we will receive in the resurrection? Our earthly bodies will be transformed into heavenly bodies, no longer subject to decay. In Heaven, there will be no need to purchase cosmic creams! We will be raised in power and able to lift heavy objects without hesitation. Our bodies will also possess spiritual capacities. Just as Jesus, when He rose from the dead, could pass through doors and appear and disappear, we too will have the ability to travel wherever we desire. It is truly remarkable!

Another question regarding our heavenly bodies that we often ask ourselves is, “Will we know each other in heaven?” This is a commonly asked question, especially among couples and families. Some may have concerns if a loved one’s body was tragically damaged in a car accident, or if their body was cremated and their ashes scattered over the ocean. There are many uncertainties.

King David, who experienced the loss of a son in infancy, expressed his belief and hope when he said, “I will go to him” (2 Samuel 12:23)… Additionally, when Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him to the mountain, He was transfigured. At that time, they not only saw His glory but also identified Moses and Elijah who appeared alongside Jesus (Matthew 17:3). Both Moses and Elijah were known and noticed by Peter, James, and John. These examples provide assurance that, with the help of the Lord, we will be able to recognize our loved ones when we reach Heaven. Even if we have not seen them for a long time, we will be able to pick them out from many and joyfully say, “I have missed you so much!”

The fourth question we may ask is, “What will we be doing in heaven?” …Can you recall the most wonderful worship service you have ever experienced? Personally, I remember sitting on the top of a mountain, alone, praising God, the Creator. I have also been in mega churches where more than 10,000 voices joined together in the sanctuary, creating powerful sound like thunder. However, no matter what we have witnessed here on earth, it cannot compare to the angelic choir in Heaven! Just imagine the worship in Heaven! In Revelation 7:9-12, the Apostle John describes it in the following statement: “All the angels were standing around the throne… and fell down their faces before God and worshipping Him and proclaiming, “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” …What a glorious moment in Heaven! We will join in a Heavenly orchestra, rejoicing in God’s boundless love for us.

Even though I have done my best to share what I have learned about Heaven from the Bible, I must acknowledge once again that my understanding is limited. It is like being an attendant for a town I have never physically seen. The Bible does not provide all the details we might desire to know about Heaven. Even if we were given all the information about Heaven, it would still be beyond the comprehension of our human brain.

…Here on earth, many things prevent us from using our talents. We face obstacles and wait for opportunities that may not come. Often, we are too busy with daily life, and physical limitations can hold us back. Some of us love to sing, but we find that there are not many audiences to listen to. Others have a desire to paint, cook, write, design, or create, but our dreams often go unfulfilled. In Heaven, we will have abundant opportunities to develop and use all our gifts for the glory of God. Moreover, the greatest joy of Heaven will be meeting our Lord, Jesus Christ, face to face. With all our hearts and strength, we will worship Him and celebrate His victory over sin and the power of death.

The final question I would like to address is how we can enter the blessed destination of Heaven. This is the most crucial question we must ask… I have already mentioned that many people believe in Heaven and assume they will go there. But who are the ones who can truly enter Heaven? It is not determined by wealth, poverty, race, gender, age, or any other earthly distinction. In Revelation 7:14, when the Apostle John asked about the identity of those wearing white robes in Heaven, he received the answer, “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” According to the Apostle, the only condition for us to enter the Kingdom of God is to cleanse our spiritual garments and make them pure through the blood of Jesus Christ.

{A man dies and meets St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Peter says to the man, “Here is how it works. You need to have one hundred points to get into heaven… “At this rate, it’ll be only by the grace of God that I’ll ever get into this place.” “Bingo!” says St. Peter. “That’s one hundred points! Come on in.”}

Let us imagine ourselves standing at the gates of Heaven when we are called to be with the Lord someday. Like the man in this story, each one of us will be asked to provide a reason why we should be granted entry into heaven. What would our answer be? … After Jesus promised the disciples the Father’s House, Heaven, He also provided them with the method of how they could reach this eternal destination. He declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus also said in the same Gospel, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:9). Jesus is not only the sole path to Heaven, but also the gateway to it.

Friends, let us take a moment to reflect our relationship with God. Are we merely uttering the words “Lord, Lord!” with our lips and assuming that we will automatically enter the Kingdom of God? Or are we genuinely seeking to align our lives with the will of God, constantly examining ourselves through His Sacred Word, repenting of our sins before Christ, and fulfilling what God desires us to do with the guidance of the Holy Spirit? If we are sincerely walking this path, then we can be confident that God will open the Heavenly door for each of us when we arrive at the entrance of our eternal destination, Heaven, after calling to be with the Lord. Amen!

*In this sermon I have incorporated thoughts and materials from various sermons based on the texts Psalm 23:1-6; John 14:1-6; Revelation 21:1-4,9-14.