The Future
God promises eternal life to those who believe in His Son. It's in the Bible, John 3:16, NIV. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Eternal life is a gift given to those who trust in Jesus. It's in the Bible, I John 5:11-12, NIV. "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."
Our future in heaven begins when Jesus comes the second time. It's in the Bible, I Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV. "For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."
At the second coming, Jesus will make us perfect, just like Him. It's in the Bible, Philippians 3:20-21, NIV. "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body."
What does the Bible say about heaven? It's in the Bible, John 14:2-3, NIV. "There are many homes up there where My Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with Me where I am."
The future is beyond our comprehension. It's in the Bible, I Corinthians 2:9, NIV. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."
How did Isaiah describe the conditions of a perfect future? It's in the Bible, Isaiah 65:21-23, NIV. "They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of My people; My chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands. They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them."
Peace will pervade even the animal kingdom. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 65:25, NIV. "The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy in all My holy mountain."
The handicapped will be healed. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 35:5-6, NIV. "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb shout for joy."
God will live with His people and there will be an end to death, crying, and pain. It's in the Bible, Revelation 21:3-4, NIV. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
