My questions about heaven
Science and technology: Is there any advancement going on in heaven? Or do people just sit around mindlessly happy? I want to be able to discover, build, and invent new things when I get to heaven. If everything is discovered and everybody is a mindless servant to god and all they care about is god’s love (sort of like a mindless dog), then that sounds absolutely awful.
What we will be made of: I also want a body, I don’t want to be a ghost. I’d rather die than live eternally without a body while the living get to enjoy their bodies, which are the most complicated machines in the universe. I like machines and find it really cool to be blessed with one of my own.
Government: Does god rule over everybody, or is it a democracy? And if god DOES rule over everybody, are the other lower rulers simply appointed by god or elected by the people?
Free will: I heard something about no sin in heaven. But that means there can be no free will. Either that or such a painful and severe deterrent everybody makes positively sure all the time to be perfect, which doesn’t sound too fun.
Will time exist?
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Re: My questions about heaven
by jimwalton » Sat Dec 22, 2018 9:59 am
> Is there any advancement going on in heaven?
Not as far as we can tell. All things will be known. 1 Corinthians 13.12
> Or do people just sit around mindlessly happy?
No. Heaven is a place of great interest. In Luke 19.11-27, Jesus tells a parable about "when the kingdom of God appears." Many people believe that he's talking about heaven and hell. In the story, people in "heaven" are rewarded with jobs and responsibility, much like we have here on earth. Since the book of Revelation describes heaven as being on this earth (Rev. 21.2), and it describes heaven as a city (Rev. 21.10), it makes sense to me that life in heaven will be filled with productive labor, meaningful activity, great relationships, and lots to do. It certainly won't be sitting around playing harps. That would kill any of us.
Watchman Nee wrote, "Heaven is not a place of inactivity, but we shall be called to a greater work." The reward for responsibility is more responsibility. To him who has, more will be given.
Isaiah 65 makes it sound like people will build houses (v. 21) and do work that is productive and fulfilling (23). Zechariah 14.16 makes mention of worship, as does much of Revelation. Matthew 25.14-30 also mentions "I will put you in charge of many things."
In a speculative vein, what if God starts creating again (since it is his nature), and there are more worlds to explore, and new worlds to explore, and every day something new is popping up (since God is infinite in his creative nature) to do, see, and enjoy? It's a fascinating prospect—a God of infinite creative ability letting loose again for our continual enthusiasm and inspiration.
> I want to be able to discover, build, and invent new things when I get to heaven.
We go to heaven to be with Jesus, not because of its stimulating environment, though there's every reason to believe the environment will be eternally interesting.
> If everything is discovered and everybody is a mindless servant to god and all they care about is god’s love (sort of like a mindless dog), then that sounds absolutely awful.
That does sound less than blissful.
> What we will be made of: I also want a body, I don’t want to be a ghost.
We will have bodies. 1 Corinthians 15.35-49. We won't be ghosts.
> Government: Does god rule over everybody, or is it a democracy? And if god DOES rule over everybody, are the other lower rulers simply appointed by god or elected by the people?
God will be the king (Rev. 22.3). Without sin, we would all vote for the right and good anyway.
> Free will: I heard something about no sin in heaven. But that means there can be no free will.
We have free will, but everyone there will have voluntarily submitted their free wills to the sovereign will of God. When our minds are purged of sin, they will only want what God wants: free will in its proper place and exercise.
> Will time exist?
Yes, but it will be different. As we know from Einstein, time is not a constant.
Not as far as we can tell. All things will be known. 1 Corinthians 13.12
> Or do people just sit around mindlessly happy?
No. Heaven is a place of great interest. In Luke 19.11-27, Jesus tells a parable about "when the kingdom of God appears." Many people believe that he's talking about heaven and hell. In the story, people in "heaven" are rewarded with jobs and responsibility, much like we have here on earth. Since the book of Revelation describes heaven as being on this earth (Rev. 21.2), and it describes heaven as a city (Rev. 21.10), it makes sense to me that life in heaven will be filled with productive labor, meaningful activity, great relationships, and lots to do. It certainly won't be sitting around playing harps. That would kill any of us.
Watchman Nee wrote, "Heaven is not a place of inactivity, but we shall be called to a greater work." The reward for responsibility is more responsibility. To him who has, more will be given.
Isaiah 65 makes it sound like people will build houses (v. 21) and do work that is productive and fulfilling (23). Zechariah 14.16 makes mention of worship, as does much of Revelation. Matthew 25.14-30 also mentions "I will put you in charge of many things."
In a speculative vein, what if God starts creating again (since it is his nature), and there are more worlds to explore, and new worlds to explore, and every day something new is popping up (since God is infinite in his creative nature) to do, see, and enjoy? It's a fascinating prospect—a God of infinite creative ability letting loose again for our continual enthusiasm and inspiration.
> I want to be able to discover, build, and invent new things when I get to heaven.
We go to heaven to be with Jesus, not because of its stimulating environment, though there's every reason to believe the environment will be eternally interesting.
> If everything is discovered and everybody is a mindless servant to god and all they care about is god’s love (sort of like a mindless dog), then that sounds absolutely awful.
That does sound less than blissful.
> What we will be made of: I also want a body, I don’t want to be a ghost.
We will have bodies. 1 Corinthians 15.35-49. We won't be ghosts.
> Government: Does god rule over everybody, or is it a democracy? And if god DOES rule over everybody, are the other lower rulers simply appointed by god or elected by the people?
God will be the king (Rev. 22.3). Without sin, we would all vote for the right and good anyway.
> Free will: I heard something about no sin in heaven. But that means there can be no free will.
We have free will, but everyone there will have voluntarily submitted their free wills to the sovereign will of God. When our minds are purged of sin, they will only want what God wants: free will in its proper place and exercise.
> Will time exist?
Yes, but it will be different. As we know from Einstein, time is not a constant.
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