IS THERE A HEAVEN AND WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

What Proof Do We Have that Heaven Even Exists? (Continued)

In addition to the resurrection of Jesus, here are other indications of Heaven and the after-life:

• Jesus’ power and the reality of the resurrection of a man named Lazarus recorded by the Apostle John in the 11^th chapter of his Gospel.  There we have the words of Jesus in v25, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies.”  He then demonstrated the truth of His claim and the power of God by raising Lazarus who had been dead and entombed for 4 days.  It’s one thing to see something happen and subsequently make a claim.  It’s quite different to make a claim and then back it up.  Jesus is the “resurrection and the life.”

 

• Jesus’ words to the repentant thief on the cross:

            One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you?

Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”  But the other criminal

protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We

deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”  Then he

said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”   And Jesus replied,

“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”   Luke 23:39-43 New Living

Translation

• Jesus remained with His followers for 50 days (during which over 500 eye-witnesses encountered him) after His resurrection before He ascended from the earth.  His Ascension indicates there is something beyond the confines of this world and life. In fact, those watching His Ascension were told:

            After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they

could no longer see him.  As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two

white-robed men suddenly stood among them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why

are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into

heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Acts 1:9-11 New Living Translation

Additionally, the creation account in the book of Genesis tells us that we have been created “in God’s image.”  Most of the time we think of physical characteristics, but the truth of being created in God’s image reaches far beyond this.  Besides being perfect, holy and righteous, God is also eternal.  And we will share this image of God as well – eternal existence, whether we are bound for Heaven or hell.