A Glimpse of Heaven | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, May 3
What will heaven really be like? This uplifting message from Revelation 21 reveals the reality and the hope of eternity in the presence of God.
Key Verses
Revelation 21:1-6; II Corinthians 12:2-5; Isaiah 14:13-14; Leviticus 1:11; Psalm 75:6-7; Acts 7:56; Philippians 1:21-23; I Corinthians 13:12; II Samuel 12:23; I Thessalonians 4:17-18; Numbers 27:12-13; Genesis 25:8; Genesis 35:29; Genesis 49:33; Psalm 23:4; Matthew 8:11; Luke 19:13-19; Revelation 7:15; John 14:2-3; John 17:24
Puntos clave
· You will see your loved ones in Heaven. If you are saved, when you die, you will immediately go to Heaven. You won’t be there by yourself, but you will see your family and others who have died before you. You will remember them, eat meals, and praise God together.
· There will be joyful activity in Heaven. When you go to Heaven, you will just sit on a cloud with a diaper. You will rest, but you won’t be lazy. You will have an occupation in Heaven, ruling and reigning with Christ.
· Heaven will be perfect. There will not be pain, death, or sorrow in Heaven. You will be given a new body, name, home, wine, and song in Heaven. Heaven is a place God has made with His creative power without limit. It will be far better than Earth. It will have streets of gold, gates of pearl, walls of jasper, and twelve foundations of precious stones, but you will still never understand how great it is until you get there.
· Heaven is a person. What makes Heaven so great is that Jesus is there! If you’re not Heaven-born, you’re not Heaven-bound. You will not make it to Heaven if you have not accepted Jesus. No amount of good deeds can get you into Heaven; it’s only Jesus!
Introducción
Today we’re reflecting on the message “A Glimpse of Heaven” by Jentezen Franklin. It reminds us that while we can’t fully understand what eternity will be like, we can trust that it will be more beautiful and joyful than anything we’ve ever known.
The apostle John tried to describe what he saw when God gave him a vision of heaven. But putting heaven into words is difficult—like trying to explain color to someone who has never seen it. Even so, God gives us enough of a picture to stir our hearts and strengthen our faith. We may not grasp every detail, but we can hold onto the truth that what awaits us is good—far beyond our imagination.
Here’s what we do know: the old things will pass away, and God will make all things new. There will be no more death, no more mourning, no more crying, and no more pain. The new heaven and new earth will be more beautiful than we can picture, and we will be part of it.
Even when we don’t fully understand, we can rest in this hope: God is faithful, and what He has prepared for us is more than we could ever ask or imagine.
This week we will dig into:
· Heaven Is A Real Place and it is our eternal home
· What Heaven Will Be Like – Joy, Activity, and Perfection
· Heaven Is A Person – Jesus Makes It Home
LET’S START THE DISCUSSION:
Q: What stood out to you in this past Sunday’s message?
Q: What aspect of the description of Heaven excites you most? Why?
Heaven is a Real Place, and it is Our Eternal Home
Heaven is not merely a state of mind, but a literal, eternal destination for the believer. When Jesus promised in John 14:2-3 (KJV), “I go to prepare a place for you,” He was describing a very real and tangible home. Today Pastor Jentezen reminded us that while we can physically experience the first two “heavens” - the atmosphere and the stars and planets, the “third heaven” is the specific dwelling place for Jesus as he sits at the right hand of the father. Though we can now only see this third heaven by the eyes of faith, it is as real as the ground on which we stand.
The Bible clearly teaches that upon death, the transition of believers to this new heavenly home is immediate. There is no “soul sleep”, but to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This heavenly reality changed the perspective of men of God like Stephen and Paul who saw a glimpse of it. Acts 7:55-56 (KJV) says that Stephen, in his final moments had a heavenly vision of Jesus standing to receive him. II Corinthians 12:2-4 (KJV) says that Paul was “caught up to the third heaven” and was so moved by the experience that he later wrote in Philippians 1:23 (KJV) “having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.”
This literal heaven that Jesus, Stephen, and Paul describe promises a reunion with those who have gone before us. Just as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were “gathered to their people”, we have the hope of being united to loved ones in Christ. We can find comfort in the words of King David who, after the loss of a child, said in II Samuel 12:23, “I shall go to him.”
Amid the trials and pains of this life, we are to remain the most hopeful of all people. We look forward to the promise of Revelation 21:4, knowing that in our true heavenly home, God will wipe away every tear and make all things new. Today, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus and the hope of heaven.
Preguntas para el debate:
· Are you finding your hope in your daily earthly circumstances, or, like Stephen and Paul, are you looking forward to your true heavenly home”?
· What daily habits are you building into your life to help you maintain the heavenly perspective that Paul had?
What Heaven Will Be Like – Joy, Activity, and Perfection
In today's message, Pastor Jentezen Franklin illuminates the reality that Heaven is not a distant, shadowy dream, but a vibrant and high-definition home. It is the ultimate "far better" reality that awaits those who have endured the trials of this earthly life.
The Great Exchange: From Earthly Limitations to Divine Perfection
The most profound relief of Heaven is the total and permanent removal of the brokenness we experience here. We trade our fragile earthly "tents" for an eternal inheritance that never fades.
· The End of Suffering: Revelation 21:4 NKJV promises, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” This isn't just a temporary reprieve; it is the total deletion of the things that cause us to weep.
· Total Transformation: We will receive new, perfected bodies. The confusion of this life is replaced by divine clarity. As 1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV says, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”
Joyful Activity: Meaningful Service, Not Stagnation
Pastor Franklin challenges the myth that Heaven is a state of "eternal laziness" or floating on clouds with a fat angel baby. Instead, it is a place of purpose, creativity, and high-level responsibility.
· Serving the King: We are not going to Heaven to retire; we are going there to be promoted. Revelation 7:15 NKJV tells us, “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple.” This service is a joyful, tireless expression of our new nature.
· Ruling and Reigning: Jesus taught that our faithfulness on earth directly impacts our roles in the next life. In Luke 19:17 NKJV, the Master says, “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.” * Biblical Examples: From the dynamic relationship of Elijah and Elisha to Paul’s deep yearning, we see that identity and purpose continue in Heaven.
Paul famously stated in Philippians 1:21, 23, NKJV “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain... having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”
Heartfelt Application: Living with Eternity in View
When we realize that Heaven is "far better," it changes how we view our current struggles. Every trial is a bridge to a greater glory. To live with eternity in view means understanding that our current "occupations"—whether at work, in our families, or in ministry—are training grounds for our eternal service. As Pastor Franklin emphasizes, Heaven is worth every sacrifice and every moment of waiting. Let the "streets of gold" and the promise of His presence give you the strength to finish your race well.
Discussion Questions
· Redefining Rest: How does the biblical promise of "serving Him day and night" and "having authority over cities" change your personal view of what "eternal rest" looks like?
· The Great Upgrade: Which specific promise from Revelation 21:4 (no more pain, death, or sorrow) brings the most comfort to your current situation?
· Faithful Training: If our responsibilities in Heaven are linked to our faithfulness in "very little" today, how does that change the way you view your daily tasks and chores?
To See Heaven You Must Be Born Again
Pastor Jentezen told us much about Heaven—especially the wonderful promise that there shall be no more sorrow, tears, pain, or death. As John Bevere reminded us recently, not everyone will see Heaven. There is only one way: we must realize we are all sinners who have fallen short (Romans 3:23), repent, and believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God.
Romans 6:5-9 “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection… knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.”
We must believe that Jesus came, died, was buried, rose on the third day, ascended into Heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again. When we do, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. We die to our old self and are reborn—born from above. This is not something we can do for ourselves.
The greatest obstacle for many is the belief that we must “earn” salvation. But Heaven rests solely on Christ’s finished work. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
John 14:1-4 “Let not your heart be troubled… I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
Heaven is more than a beautiful place. Heaven is a Person—Jesus Christ. He prayed, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Knowing Him is not casual observation or knowing facts about Him; it is a personal relationship. Those who truly know Him are diligently preparing and eagerly watching for His return because they love Him and long to be with Him.
In Heaven we will see our Savior face to face and experience the fullness of His love, grace, and majesty—an eternity of fellowship and adoration with the One who created us and loved us with an everlasting love. It has always been about Jesus. Heaven is the Person of Jesus Christ.
· When you think about Heaven, do you think more about a physical place dwelling with Jesus? What does it mean to dwell with someone?
· When someone asks if we know Jesus, we often say “yes”. If someone asked you “How do you know Jesus” what would you say?
· Are you watching and waiting for Jesus?
Conclusión
Heaven is real. It is more wonderful than words can express—free from pain and fully centered on Jesus. This hope isn’t just something we look forward to someday; it strengthens us today. It helps us endure difficult seasons, encourages us to live in a way that honors God, and reminds us to share the good news with others.
As we keep our hearts set on heaven, we also remember how we prepare for it: by loving others the way Christ has loved us. When we serve with humility, kindness, and a Christ-like spirit, our lives become an expression of worship. In doing so, we show that Jesus is truly Lord of our lives and that we belong to Him.
So let this hope shape the way we live—lifting our eyes to what’s ahead while faithfully reflecting Christ right where we are.
Llamada a la acción:
Take time for an honest evaluation of your spiritual focus – are you living with eternity in mind
Commit yourself to set your sights on heaven daily, (be born again, if appropriate) and live a life of worship.
Spend time in your Bible each day to help you maintain a heavenly focus, even though the Lord may tarry.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and to give you discernment to see and act on opportunities to comfort and encourage others.
Journal what God is doing in your life and how you are responding to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You have gone before us to prepare a place for us in Heaven. Thank You that You have made a place so wonderful and beautiful that there are no words on earth to completely describe what awaits those who are faithful and put their trust in You. Help us, we pray, to live each day in that hope, but also with a desire to reach as many as we can for You that they too might share in eternal life. May we live our lives with the hope and faith that St Paul did “…to live is Christ, to die is gain””.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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