KNOWING THE LORD AND HIS WILL 

Bible Course

Lesson 7

By Paul O. Nichols

In the scriptures we are told, God our creator wants "all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:2,3). God "is longsuffering and "is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). After the great judgment day the saved will have the privilege of living in Heaven in eternal bliss and happiness forever. Heaven is where Christ’s glorified body dwells awaiting His return for the Great Judgment Day (Mark 16:19-20). "And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:20-21).

Before Jesus died on the cross, He promised He was going to go and prepare a place for His disciples, that where He is, there they would be also (John 14:1-3). Jesus is in Heaven, and He is preparing for the saved to come and live with Him and the Father, the Holy Spirit, and all the angels of heaven forever. Therefore the apostle John writes in Revelations 14:13, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours ; and their works do follow them." Throughout the ages, Christ has been preached. And in His gospel message He says, "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honour" (John 12:26).

In this life we have to cope with all kinds of problems. Sickness, disease, and death take their toll every day. There is pain and suffering on every hand. Hospitals and nursing homes are full of victims of the ravages of time. Fatal diseases take the lives of our loved ones, young and old, and leave us broken hearted. However, thanks be to God, the saved of the earth are promised a better day. In the scriptures we are told when we get to Heaven, "…The former things are passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

God assures us in His word that in Heaven there will be no more tears, for there will be no more pain, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor death (Rev. 21:4). We will never have to say sad goodbyes to our loved ones. The cruel hand of death will have no more power. Jesus will be victorious over death. "For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (1Cor. 15:25,26). "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57). Yes, Heaven will be a place of peace, comfort, and happiness because we will be finished with sin, sorrow, and death.

In heaven we will be with the Lord, Jesus Christ, who purchased our redemption with His own innocent blood shed at Calvary (1 Tim. 2:10) We will be in the presence of God the Father who created the universe, and the Holy Spirit who has revealed the will of God to mankind. And we will be with Jesus and the saved of all the earth. No, Sin can never enter the eternal home of the soul. Therefore we’re told in Matthew 6:20-21, "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Heaven is described in glowing figurative terms. The city is of pure gold (Rev. 21:18). The gates of the city are of pearl (Rev. 21:21). The street of the city paved with gold (Rev. 21:21). In the Father’s house are many mansions (John 14:1). There the river of life flows from the throne of God (Rev. 21:2). The tree of life is on either side of the river (Rev. 22:2). There will be no night there (Rev. 22:5). There will be no death, sorrow, crying, nor pain (Rev. 21:4) It is a place of rest forever for the children of God (Heb. 4:9). All will be joy and peace and happiness forever. The lost will be sent to everlasting punishment prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41) and the saved will go into everlasting joy and happiness forever. Yes, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" (Psalms 116:15). Therefore, if we miss Heaven, we’ve missed it all.

1. God is not willing for anyone to be ……..................

2. The Lord wants all sinners to come to ……………

3. After the Judgment the ……………will be invited to live in heaven forever.

4. In Heaven there will be no sickness nor pain nor ……………..

5. From the throne of God flows the ……………….of life.

6. Heaven is being prepared for the …….………..

7. There will be no ……………….nor thieves permitted in heaven.

8. Heaven is the home of the ………………….

9. In the home of the soul Jesus is the ………………..

10. Heaven is a beautiful place where the saved will live ……………..

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1. Does God want all people to be saved? Yes ……... No ….…..

2. To save us did God give His only begotten Son? Yes …..…. No …..….

3. Did Jesus die on the cross for the sins of the world? Yes ……… No ………

4. Is heaven a prepared place for the saved? Yes …….. No .……..

5. Is heaven the home of the soul? Yes …….. No……..

6. Will there be any wicked person in heaven? Yes ……… No ………

7. Will people who are liars or immoral be in heaven? Yes …….. No ………

8. Is heaven a beautiful place to live forever? Yes ……… No ………

9. Will only the saved go to heaven? Yes …….. No ……..

10. Will the lost be allowed to go to heaven? Yes …….. No …....