Glory Forever

Theme: What is heaven really like?

Objectives:

Know: Heaven will involve a new earth that is full of the goodness of God and will be devoid of any of the negative effects of sin. The new earth will include the things of this world restored to fulfill their purpose.

Think: As an eternal being, my mindset should reflect God’s eternal purpose and values.

Do: Live each temporary moment to fulfill your eternal purpose, working to bring all things back into harmony with God’s design.

Scripture:

Revelation 21:1-22:5

Genesis 1:26-30

Genesis 2:15-25

Notes and questions:

B1 What is heaven?

• Old Testament teaches
• There is the atmosphere of earth (Genesis 1:9, Genesis 1:20, Isaiah 55:10, etc.), the universe (Genesis 1:14-17, Genesis 15:5, Isaiah 13:9-10, etc.), and God’s home (1 Kings 8:30, Psalms 14:2, Isaiah 66:1, Daniel 2:28, etc.).
• People will live in that holy place (Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 15).
• New Testament teaches
• What’s not in heaven: wicked (Matthew 13:4), death (Luke 20:34-35), sorrow (Revelation 21:1-4), sin (Revelation 21:27), curse (Revelation 22:3).
• What is in heaven: God (Isaiah 57:5), holy, elect angels (Hebrews 12:22), believers (Hebrews 13:22-24), righteousness (2 Peter 3:13), joy (Romans 14:7).

B2 How does a person get to heaven? See here: http://www.needgod.com/001.shtml

B3 Do you look forward to going to heaven?

B4 Genesis 1:26-30,

• What state was the world when God created it? (Good).
• Why isn’t it good now? What happened? (rebellion by Adam. See Genesis 3:1-13).
• What is unique about humans?
• What job did God assign Adam?
• Who provided for their needs?

B5 Genesis 2:15-25,

• What was Adam to do in the Garden of Eden?
• What instruction did God give Adam? Did Adam understand this instruction?
• Why did God tell Adam to not eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? (All good teachers test. God instructed. Now, God tests. Also, a person’s loyalty must be tested).
• Did Adam pass the test?
• What is God’s purpose in Genesis 2:24?
• Why were Adam and Eve not ashamed of nakedness?

B6 Revelation 21:1-22:5,

• Why was there a need to have a new heaven and new earth? (The old ones were contaminated by sin).
• What is God’s attitude, motivation, and acts towards His people?
• Is Revelation 21:6 a genuine invitation to believe the Gospel?
• What are we to overcome in Revelation 21:7?
• Name some of the special things of the New Jerusalem.
• Why is it important to have our name in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
• What is special about the river in the New Jerusalem?
• What good thing happens to those who read, study, and believe the words of the book of Revelation?
• Why did John fall down to worship the angel?

B7 Some more points about heaven from Torrey Topical Handbook:

• Created by God Genesis 1:1; Revelation 10:6
• Everlasting Psalm 89:29; 2 Corinthians 5:1
• Immeasurable Jeremiah 31:37
• High Psalm 103:11; Isaiah 57:15
• Holy Deuteronomy 26:15; Psalm 20:6; Isaiah 57:15
• God's dwelling-place 1 Kings 8:30; Matthew 6:9
• God's throne Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:49
• GOD
• Is the Lord of Daniel 5:23; Matthew 11:25
• Reigns in
• Psalm 11:4; Psalm 135:6; Daniel 4:35
• Fills 1 Kings 8:27; Jeremiah 23:24
• Answers his people from 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Nehemiah 9:27; Psalm 20:6
• Sends his judgments from Genesis 19:24; 1 Samuel 2:10; Daniel 4:13; Daniel 4:14; Romans 1:18
• CHRIST
• As Mediator, entered into Acts 3:21; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:24
• Is all-powerful in Matthew 28:18; 1Peters 3:22
• Angels are in Matthew 18:10; Matthew 24:36
• Names of saints are written Luke 10:20; Hebrews 12:23
• Saints rewarded in Matthew 5:12; 1 Peter 1:4
• Repentance occasions joy in Luke 15:7
• Lay up treasure in Matthew 6:20; Luke 12:33
• Flesh and blood cannot inherit 1 Corinthians 15:50
• Happiness of, described Revelation 7:16; Revelation 7:17

B8 A basic timeline: Church (this is now)->Rapture->Bema seat Judgment (where the resurrected and raptured saints are judged)->Tribulation->Armageddon->Return of Messiah to Mt Olives->Judgment of Sheep and Goats (this is Old Testament saints and Tribulation saints)->Marriage Supper of the Lamb->Millennium->Satan loosed at end of Millennium->Great White Throne Judgment (this is the judgment of all non-believers)->New Heavens and New Earth (God lives with humanity. This the fulfillment of Genesis 1 creation where Adam rebelled (Genesis 3)).

B9 Heaven is where God lives and rules. This will be wonderful (Revelation 21:3). The Lord Jesus came to reconcile humanity and Himself (Philippians 2:5-11 and John 1:14-18).

B10 What are some ways that heaven affects us now?

B11 Does the promise of heaven affect the way we live and witness?

B12 What is God’s eternal purpose?

• To show God’s character (Ephesians 3:9-11, Titus 3:4)
• To show God’s love (1 Corinthians 1:21, John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 2:4, 1 John 4:9-10)
• To glorify His Son, the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:28, Romans 8:28-29, Hebrews 1:1-6)
• To provide salvation for humanity (who meets His conditions) (John 12-27, 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 1:5-10, Ephesians 3:12)

B13 How does God’s eternal purposes affect our lives today?

B14 How can we live doing God’s purpose for us? (Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 1 Peter 2:15, 1 John 2:17)

Ordination Questions

Ordination Questions

I'm including a link to a downloadable document outlining my answers to ordination questions. The questions are from a Christian Missionary and Alliance site and reflect their beliefs. Since I am a Free Will Baptist, there are some questions I didn't answer. I am not ordained. I wanted to answer the questions for my own sake, then thought I would share them.

Link to C&MA ordination questions.

Link to the Free Will Baptist Treatise

Link to the ordination questions as PDF

Link in case you want to view it as a gdocx

Here are the most Free Will Baptist related questions. The words to "see longer post" refer to the same questions in the C&MA post. (You might have to search as the C&MA document is ~50 pages.

Doctrine

1.       Do you believe without reservation that the Bible is the verbally inspired, infallible Word of God and that it is the only rule of faith and practice?	Yes, it is the only source of 100% truth. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
2.       What do you believe about evolution and the Genesis account of Creation?	6, 24 hour days. God must be believed. Genesis 1 and 2, Exodus 20:11
3.       What is the gospel?	We have all broken God’s law. The sentence is hell. The Lord Jesus came, lived His life, died, buried, rose again, and ascended. We must place our trust into Him calling out to Him to have mercy and save us from our sins and punishment. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 1 John 3:5

What is salvation?

1.       How would you proceed to explain the way of salvation to a lost soul?	10 Commandments. Exodus 20 Judgment Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 21:8 Sentence Matthew 13:42 Hell Matthew 13:42, Luke 16:24, Revelation 20:14 Savior, who is the only one, Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5
2.       Explain your views on baptism.	Pouring, immersing, sprinkling makes no difference. Only believers may be baptized. Hebrews 10:22, Acts 2:17-18, Acts 2:33, Acts 10:45, Romans 6:4
3.       What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper?	Remembering what the Lord Jesus did for us as Savior. 1 Corinthians 11
4.       Should feet washing be observed? Explain.	Yes, Jesus said so. John 13 especially John 13:14.
5.       What do you believe about apostasy and the perseverance of the believer?	A person came apostatize and thus lose salvation. The warning verses are to be taken at face value. Hebrews 6, Hebrews 10, and other passages as Revelations 3:5.

Give your interpretation of the following doctrines:

1.       -God		See longer post.
2.       -Deity of Christ		See longer post.
3.       -The Virgin Birth of Christ		See longer post.
4.       -The Work of the Holy Spirit		See longer post.
5.       -Repentance		See longer post.
6.       -Faith		See longer post.
7.       -Justification		See longer post.
8.       -Regeneration		See longer post.
9.       -Atonement		See longer post.
10.  -Sanctification		See longer post.
11.  -Final Judgment		See longer post.
12.  -Heaven		See longer post.
13.  -Hell		See longer post.
14.  -Satan		See longer post.
15.  -Second Coming		See longer post.
16.  -Resurrection		See longer post.
17.  What is the church?		See longer post.
18.  Who is eligible for membership?		Only those who are saved as outlined above.
19.  How should the church discipline a member?		See longer post.
20.  How should the work of the church be financed?		Gifts and offerings. Tithes are not required, but if those who want to, it is OK.
21.  What are the duties of a minister?		1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus.
22.  What is the mission of the church in the light of Matt. 28:19, 20?	Preach the Gospel, teach the disciples both doctrine and Christian life, live the Gospel in good works to all, and to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Denomination

1.       Who is a Free Will Baptist?	Treatise
2.       What is meant by the term “free moral agent?”	God has given a measure of free will. He has done this in His sovereignty. The Holy Spirit initiates salvation which allows us to have a freed will to resist or not resist. God is the only one with sovereign free will.
3.       Have you read the Free Will Baptist Treatise completely and do you subscribe to the doctrines and practices that are outlined in it?	Yes. I believe that humans are body, soul, and spirit. Regarding intoxicating beverages, see above.
4.       Is there anything in the treatise that you do not believe or would not teach?	As above.
5.       If you ever changed your views on any of these doctrines what would you do?	Let the congregation know, and let them decide if I should remain as pastor. If they have been taught doctrine and apologetics correctly, they will know.
6.       What are the grounds for relinquishing your ordination credentials?	Adultery, murder, porn, drunkenness, etc.
7.       What is the relationship for the local church to the denomination?	Support through prayer and money. Listen closely and take advice seriously.
8.       References: provide three character and three credit references.	On request.
9.       Do you solemnly pledge to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints and to faithfully uphold the Free Will Baptist doctrines outlined in the Treatise?	Yes.