Life in the Present Heaven--Heaven Series

            People sometimes say the strangest things at funerals. Most of the time we don’t know what to say, but we want to make conversation, so we blurt out just about anything. For example, if the deceased person was a baseball fan, we might say something like, “Well, I guess the Lord needed a new third baseman for the big game coming up against the angels.” Or if its raining at the graveside service, we might say, “It looks like ol’ Billy Bob is crying right along with us from Heaven.”

            By and large, these statements are pretty innocent, and we probably don’t even believe most of the stuff like this that we say, but if something gets repeated enough times, eventually people start to think its true—we hear a claim 10 or 15 times and we assume that someone else has checked it out and verified it, so we believe it.

            I think some of our beliefs about the present Heaven have been formed this way. After all, how many of us have actually sat down and compared our beliefs about Heaven to what the Bible says? As I mentioned several weeks ago, even in my seminary training, we didn’t spend much time talking about Heaven, so this series represents the first time that I have given focused attention to the subject of Heaven.

            I say this to prepare you for what we will discuss today, because your idea of Heaven may be significantly challenged as we look at a scene from the book of Revelation. Please turn with me to Revelation 6:9-11. In this passage, we are reading about the opening of a scroll that was brought before the Lord in Heaven. This scroll has seven seals on it, and as each seal is opened, various events happen either in Heaven or on Earth. When the fifth seal is opened, we read this [READ Rev. 6:9-11].

            We’re going to examine this passage today to see what these people in Heaven are experiencing. It could be the case that our loved ones are experiencing similar things, and thus that we will experience similar things in the present Heaven. There is a question that remains about whether this passage is typical of the experience for all people in Heaven. I’m going to cautiously assume that it is, so I’ll be speaking from that perspective this morning.

Let’s discuss some observations we can make about this passage…

1. THEY REMEMBER DETAILS FROM THEIR LIVES ON EARTH

            These people remember certain things that happened to them in this life. But notice that the detail they remember is an unpleasant one—they remember that they were murdered for their faith. This is a very challenging observation because we commonly assume that in Heaven, we will not remember anything unpleasant that happened to us in this life, but these verses could suggest otherwise.

            It is very important to remember, however, that these martyrs were comforted immediately after they asked their question. Notice also what chapter 7 has to say about some believers who will die during the time of the Tribulation [READ 7:15-17]. These verses clearly paint of picture of rest, peace, and comfort. So its certainly not necessary for us to think of Heaven as a place where unhappiness could linger, but we may need to adjust our assumption that we will not remember anything unpleasant.

            If that is true, I think its important to note that it will not be true forever. After John sees his first glimpse of the New Heaven and New Earth in Revelation 21:1, he is clearly told in v. 4 that there will be no more mourning, crying, or pain. Thus, there will absolutely be a time when we will never, ever experience grief ever again. But for those who are in Heaven today, even though there is incredible comfort, they probably still have a sense that all things have not yet been made right, and that even they have greater things to look forward to.

2. THEY KNOW DETAILS ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON EARTH.

            Specifically, these martyrs know that their murderers have not yet faced vengeance from God. A question comes up at this point that we simply may not be able to answer, and it is this—how did they know this detail? Could they see for themselves what was happening on Earth, or did God give them some information about it? Or here’s a third option—perhaps they could simply observe God’s activity, and from that they could piece together information about the situation on Earth.

            I’m afraid I don’t have a definite answer for this question. I am inclined to think it’s a very real possibility that our loved ones in Heaven know details about what’s going on in our lives. I am very hesitant, however, to embrace the idea that our loved ones are always watching over us like something of a guardian angel. I cannot encourage you to embrace that idea, but what about the thought of asking God to pass along a message to our loved ones? I see no reason why that would be a bad thing. After all, it is simply a request, and God can answer it however He chooses.

3. THEY HAVE THE FREEDOM TO ASK GOD A QUESTION

            This kind of communication shows us that these people have access to God. They can speak to Him and are free to ask Him a question. This observation is a great reminder of the gracious God whom we serve. He desires a relationship with us and makes Himself accessible to us.

            Notice, however, that the martyrs did not receive the exact answer that they may have been looking for. This is also an important reminder that God is not accountable to us. He does not have to answer to us for His actions or His plans, so while we are free to ask Him questions—and may have an even greater freedom to do so in Heaven—we should always remember who’s in charge.

            We often assume that in Heaven, we will get a complete explanation for everything that God allowed in our lives—especially the painful experiences. Just keep in mind that God does not owe us an explanation of these things. I think because He is gracious, He will tell us many things—and we will apparently have the freedom to ask—but just remember that God is not accountable to us; we are accountable to Him.

The fact that these martyrs asked a question reveals another detail…

4. THEY DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT GOD’S ACTIVITIES

            To put this another way, there will be a process of learning in Heaven. It seems common for people to assume that once we enter Heaven, we will immediately have all the knowledge that we will ever have. Sometimes I’ve heard people respond to questions they can’t answer by saying, “Ask me again 3 seconds after I die; then I’ll be able to tell you,” but it doesn’t seem correct to think that knowledge will be downloaded into our mind after we die.

            These martyrs asked a question, which clearly tells us that they did not know everything. There was still information that they could learn, so it seems that we will have the need and the opportunity to learn in Heaven. To a nerd like me, that sounds fantastic! Imagine the thrill of interacting with God and learning new things from Him! Imagine meeting the other people who will be there and learning about their lives and swapping stories about what God did in your life. When I say “learning,” don’t think of a stuffy classroom and tests; think about catching up at a reunion.

5. THEY SEEM TO EXPERIENCE A PASSING OF TIME

            In their question, these martyrs say, “how long before you will judge and avenge our blood?” They clearly understand that time has passed since their deaths, and to them it feels like they’ve been waiting a long time for justice. Notice also that in God’s reply, He tells them to “rest a little longer,” which is also a word that expresses time.

            We discussed this idea a few weeks ago as well. I am quite convinced that we will experience a passing of time in Heaven, but remember that it will be time without end. We’ll never feel like we’re running out of time or that we’re pressed for time or that we don’t have enough time. We will live with one moment coming after another, but every new moment will not represent the loss of opportunities, just another opportunity from a never-ending supply of them.

6. THEY SEEM TO HAVE SOME KIND OF PHYSICAL BODY

            I’m not entirely sure about this observation, but it is a possible conclusion you could draw from the fact that these martyrs are given white robes—a piece of clothing. What’s the use of clothing if you don’t have a body? This gift leads me to think that they do have some kind of physical body. Now, surely it is true that these robes have a symbolic meaning, but just because something is symbolic does not mean it can’t be a real object. Take my wedding ring, for instance. It is symbolic of my wife’s love for me and the vow that she made on our wedding day, but its still a real, physical object.

            Now you may be thinking, “Wait a minute, Tim. In v. 9, John writes, ‘I saw the under the altar the souls of those who had been slain.’” It sounds as though John saw souls without bodies—and that may be exactly what he is saying. But depending on the context, this Greek word can refer to just the soul or the entire person. So John may be saying, “I saw the lives of those who had been slain.”

            This truly is a debatable question—whether or not we receive some kind of temporary body when we go to Heaven. As I mentioned last week, I’m inclined to think that the present Heaven is a physical place, so I’m also inclined to think that we will have a temporary physical body. It would only be temporary, however, because God is going to resurrect the body that lies in the grave. I don’t know if this is a vital question, but its certainly a legitimate question and an interesting one.

7. THEY SEEM TO HAVE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF GOD’S CHARACTER.

            In particular, I think these people have a greater understanding of the fact that God is justified to punish those who oppose Him. I think we struggle a bit in this life with the idea of God punishing people because it seems to go against His love, but these people in Heaven have no problem with the idea. They seem almost shocked that God has not yet carried out vengeance.

            Notice how they address the Lord—“O Sovereign Lord, holy and true.” They’re saying, “God, we know you’re sovereign, so you have all the power you need to act. We know you’re holy, so you can’t tolerate sin. We know you’re true, so you will keep your promise to carry out justice. So how can it be that you haven’t done it yet? Notice also, in v. 11, that God knows that more of His children will die for their faith before He puts an end to it. He knows this, so how can he delay?

            I think this passage reminds us again about the extreme patience and mercy of our God. As 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness.” In other words, it may appear to us that God is dragging His feet, but the verse goes on to say that He “is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

God offers time to repent even to those who persecute His children. We may wish He didn’t, but be careful what you wish for! If God did not allow people time to repent, I would be lost, and so would you! If God were not patient, no one would be saved, but what a testimony to God’s mercy that He allows people time to repent.

My friends, if you have never repented of your sins—if you have never acknowledge them for what they are, rebellion against God—then do not throw away God’s mercy and patience. Acknowledge your sinfulness to God today and accept by faith the payment that Jesus has made for your sins through His death and resurrection, and you, too, will be saved.